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Forklift certification in Washington

13 forklift programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

13 schools offer these forklift programs, and Washington has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Forklift operators drive industrial trucks with a lifting mechanism and forks to move heavy and large loads around warehouses, storage yards and other worksites. No formal education is usually required, and a forklift may take only a few days to learn; training covers safety rules, many of them set by OSHA, and employers must certify that each operator has been properly trained.1

In Washington, 12 of the 13 programs take students without a high school diploma and 1 asks for a diploma or equivalent.

All 13 are the same kind of program: forklift certification course.

See the 13 programs

How much does forklift certification cost in Washington?

$200 to $450 is what most forklift programs in Washington cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 12 programs with a price. All of them: $199 to $6,480

In the typical program

Finished the program
Not enough data
3 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length
1 to 5 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Washington may also offer forklift training. How these figures are made

Is there free forklift training in Washington?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 13 forklift programs in Washington approved for WIOA funding

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13 programs

  • Forklift certification courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Forklift Operations

    Columbia Basin College

    Pasco

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Columbia Basin College, PascoForklift certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$201
    Program website, Forklift Operations at Columbia Basin College
    More details about Forklift Operations at Columbia Basin College
    Finished
    99%
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    10 weeks, 2 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    162
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $201
    Program website, Forklift Operations at Columbia Basin College

  • Forklift certification courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Forklift Operator Certification Training

    Puget Sound OIC

    Renton

    No diploma needed

    Puget Sound OIC, RentonForklift certification courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$26,300
    Price if you pay yourself$850
    Program website, Forklift Operator Certification Training at Puget Sound OIC
    More details about Forklift Operator Certification Training at Puget Sound OIC
    Finished
    90%
    Working at 6 months
    67%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,582
    Length
    3 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $12
    Students counted
    146
    Earned a year, estimated
    $26,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $850
    Program website, Forklift Operator Certification Training at Puget Sound OIC

  • Forklift certification courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Forklift Certification

    Commercial Driver School/Lakewood

    Lakewood

    No diploma needed

    Commercial Driver School/Lakewood, LakewoodForklift certification courseHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$50,300
    Price if you pay yourself$200
    Program website, Forklift Certification at Commercial Driver School/Lakewood
    More details about Forklift Certification at Commercial Driver School/Lakewood
    Finished
    87%
    Working at 6 months
    80%
    Earned in a quarter
    $12,578
    Length
    1 week, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    27
    Earned a year, estimated
    $50,300
    Price if you pay yourself
    $200
    Program website, Forklift Certification at Commercial Driver School/Lakewood

  • Forklift certification courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Forklift Operations and Safety (WT)

    Clover Park Technical College

    Lakewood

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Clover Park Technical College, LakewoodForklift certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$199
    Program website, Forklift Operations and Safety (WT) at Clover Park Technical College
    More details about Forklift Operations and Safety (WT) at Clover Park Technical College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $199
    Program website, Forklift Operations and Safety (WT) at Clover Park Technical College

  • Forklift certification courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Forklift Operator

    Olympic College

    Bremerton

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Olympic College, BremertonForklift certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$199
    Program website, Forklift Operator at Olympic College
    More details about Forklift Operator at Olympic College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $199
    Program website, Forklift Operator at Olympic College

  • Forklift certification courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Forklift

    Commercial Driver School/Port Orchard

    Port Orchard

    No diploma needed

    Commercial Driver School/Port Orchard, Port OrchardForklift certification courseHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$200
    Program website, Forklift at Commercial Driver School/Port Orchard
    More details about Forklift at Commercial Driver School/Port Orchard
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $200
    Program website, Forklift at Commercial Driver School/Port Orchard

  • Forklift certification courseHybridNo diploma needed

    Forklift Training

    Commercial Driver School/Auburn

    Auburn

    No diploma needed

    Commercial Driver School/Auburn, AuburnForklift certification courseHybrid · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$200
    Program website, Forklift Training at Commercial Driver School/Auburn
    More details about Forklift Training at Commercial Driver School/Auburn
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $200
    Program website, Forklift Training at Commercial Driver School/Auburn

  • Forklift certification courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Forklift Training

    Commercial Driver School/Lacey

    Lacey

    No diploma needed

    Commercial Driver School/Lacey, LaceyForklift certification courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$200
    Program website, Forklift Training at Commercial Driver School/Lacey
    More details about Forklift Training at Commercial Driver School/Lacey
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 4 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $200
    Program website, Forklift Training at Commercial Driver School/Lacey

  • Forklift certification courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Lift Truck Operator

    South Seattle College

    Seattle

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    South Seattle College, SeattleForklift certification course · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$206
    School website, Lift Truck Operator at South Seattle College
    More details about Lift Truck Operator at South Seattle College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    12 weeks, 2 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $206
    School website, Lift Truck Operator at South Seattle College

  • Forklift certification courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Forklift

    T Enterprises, Inc. Truck Driving School

    Pasco

    No diploma needed

    T Enterprises, Inc. Truck Driving School, PascoForklift certification courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$400
    Program website, Forklift at T Enterprises, Inc. Truck Driving School
    More details about Forklift at T Enterprises, Inc. Truck Driving School
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 16 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $400
    Program website, Forklift at T Enterprises, Inc. Truck Driving School

  • Forklift certification courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Forklift Training

    H&R Elite Trucking Academy LLC

    Pasco

    No diploma needed

    H&R Elite Trucking Academy LLC, PascoForklift certification courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$600
    Program website, Forklift Training at H&R Elite Trucking Academy LLC
    More details about Forklift Training at H&R Elite Trucking Academy LLC
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    1 week, 8 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $600
    Program website, Forklift Training at H&R Elite Trucking Academy LLC

  • Forklift certification courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Forklift Certification

    GMC Training Institute

    Grandview

    No diploma needed

    GMC Training Institute, GrandviewForklift certification courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$6,480
    Program website, Forklift Certification at GMC Training Institute
    More details about Forklift Certification at GMC Training Institute
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    10 weeks, 14 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,480
    Program website, Forklift Certification at GMC Training Institute

  • Forklift certification courseIn personNo diploma needed

    Forklift Certification

    Right Way CDL Academy

    Kelso

    No diploma needed

    Right Way CDL Academy, KelsoForklift certification courseIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
    More details about Forklift Certification at Right Way CDL Academy
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    Not reported
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    Not reported

How to pay for forklift training in Washington

WIOA funding can pay for forklift training in Washington

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for forklift training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for forklift training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Forklift certification in Washington

programs with a price cost under $1,000
11 of 12
most forklift programs of any state, after North Carolina
2nd

State comparisons use the same figures as the forklift training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Forklift certification in Seattle, Kennewick, Bremerton and other Washington cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above.

Other training in Washington

How forklift training compares with the rest of transportation and logistics: Transportation and logistics training in Washington

Where the Washington forklift program numbers come from

Which Washington forklift programs are on this list?

These are the forklift programs Washington approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Washington offers.

How the prices and results of Washington forklift programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about forklift training in Washington

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Material Moving Machine Operators
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List