The online part can be done today. With US Forklift Certification most people finish the training in under an hour, take the test immediately afterward, and download their certificate and wallet card the moment they pass. If you don’t pass the first time you can retake the test at no charge.
The part that takes longer is up to your employer: OSHA requires a hands-on evaluation of you operating the actual forklift you’ll use at work, and that gets scheduled by your employer or a designated trainer. For many operators that happens the same week; for others it waits until their start date.
In-person classroom courses are typically several hours, and you attend on the school’s schedule. Once certified, your card is good for three years.
See all questions in the Forklift Certification FAQ.
Ready to get certified? Start the $58 online forklift certification course. Certifying a crew? See the Train and Certify kit for employers.