Tommy:

Obtain a copy of U.S. OSHA 1910.178, Powered Industrial Trucks. This is the standard that sets the training requirements in all states except for Michigan general industry type operations. Google: POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS - 1910.178 and Google: POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS - 1910.178 APP A for free downloads.

If there are facilities in Michigan, you will need to obtain a copy of MIOSHA, General Industry Safety Standard, Part 21, Powered Industrial Trucks. Michigan has its own unique general industry powered industrial truck regulations. Google: DLEG GENERAL INDUSTRY and click on the Part 21 pdf for a free download. There are also other documents pertaining to industrial trucks that can be downloaded from this site.

Google: ITSDF.ORG and download a free copy of "ANSI/ITSDF B.56.1, Safety Standard for Low Lift and High Lift Trucks". Certain parts of B.56.1 have been adopted by reference.

The employer can contract for training or do it in-house. The training, minimum training content and trainer qualifications must meet the general guidelines established by the applicable standard.

OSHA has issued a few interpretations regarding training and certification that may help. Google: 10/01/1999 - POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCK TRAINING CONTENT and also Google: 04/10/2000 - COMPETENCY OF POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCK TRAINERS, TRAINING MUST BE TRUCK - AND SITE-SPECIFIC.

Other interpretations regarding powered industrial trucks can be obtained from OSHA. Google OSHA.GOV, on the home page click on interpretation, then text powered industrial truck into the responding search box and click enter.

Below are some of the OSHA requirements you will find in the OSHA 1910.178 safety standard:

1910.178(l)(1)(i)
The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in this paragraph (l). (operator training)

1910.178(l)(2)(iii)
All operator training and evaluation shall be conducted by persons who have the knowledge, training, and experience to train powered industrial truck operators and evaluate their competence.

1910.178(l)(6)
Certification. The employer shall certify that each operator has been trained and evaluated as required by this paragraph (l). The certification shall include the name of the operator, the date of the training, the date of the evaluation, and the identityof the person(s) performing the training or evaluation.