Since the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) launched its Lift Inspector Certification Program in late 2012, demand for ALI Certified Lift Inspectors has continued to grow. Although some inspectors complete the certification requirements quickly, others may take six months to a year to achieve certification. To help accelerate the process and fill the need for Certified Lift Inspectors, ALI member manufacturers Rotary Lift, Forward Lift, Challenger Lifts, Mohawk Lifts, PKS, and Stertil-Koni USA came together to hold a five-day “all-in-one” training, testing, and practical inspection event in Las Vegas Nov. 3-6, 2014.

Called “Five Days to Victory,” the event offered candidate inspectors who had passed the pre-course exam the opportunity to complete all the other certification requirements: an orientation workshop, course examination, and 12 practical inspections. Additionally, participants could attend a full-day study group on Tuesday led by ALI Factory Designated Trainers to prepare for the next day’s exam. Although ALI has held previous “all-in-one” events, this manufacturer-led event was the first to include practical inspections. A total of 91 candidates participated over the week.

The ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program was created to provide third-party qualification of vehicle lift inspectors and to certify those who demonstrate that they are capable of properly inspecting any type of lift from any manufacturer in accordance with the ANSI standard governing vehicle lift inspection and in support of OSHA’s General Duty Clause, as well as provincial requirements in Canada. The program is open to anyone with a minimum of 12 months experience as a lift inspector. To obtain certification, participants must attend a six-hour orientation workshop, pass a written pre-course exam and final course exam, and properly complete 12 practical lift inspections on a range of vehicle lifts.

Annual lift inspections help protect technicians by ensuring that the lifts they work under are installed correctly, functioning properly, and adequately maintained. The inspections are required by ANSI/ALI ALOIM:2008 (R2013), the national standard covering vehicle lift operation, inspection, and maintenance. Companies with an ALI Certified Lift Inspector on staff are listed in a directory on the ALI website. The directory is searchable by ZIP code to make it easy for lift owners to find a local inspector. For more information about the program or to find a local ALI Certified Lift Inspector, visit www.autolift.org/inspection.