The Benefits of a Lubrication Certification

Certification is an important step for anyone practicing in the field of machinery lubrication. It acknowledges your expertise in lubrication and your ability to troubleshoot lubricated equipment.

A certification also shows that you are a professional with the ability to utilize lubrication successfully to enhance and improve reliability programs within your plant or through a client.

The lubrication and oil analysis community, your employer and peers will recognize this credential as a symbol of the skills and knowledge you have gained through experience.

However, certification not only benefits the individual but also his or her company.

Through certification, employers can maximize their return on investment in oil analysis, help to create synergy in their organizations around lubrication best practices, develop a standardized method of determining training needs and measuring results, as well as devise a reliable benchmark for hiring, promoting and career planning.

The International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) offers multiple certifications for those in both professional and technical roles. The organization’s Machine Lubrication Technician (MLT) certification has two levels.

Level I targets in-plant technicians who perform daily lubrication tasks, such as oil changes, top-ups, greasing bearings, lubricant receiving and dispensing, and lubricant storage and handling. Level II is intended for in-plant technicians or engineers who are responsible for managing their lube team, selecting lubricants, troubleshooting abnormal lubricant performance and supporting machine design activities.

Certified MLT Level I practitioners have demonstrated a working knowledge of applying best lubrication practices and products. With this certification, technicians can move away from outdated methods of vague, non-specific lubrication procedures and job plans, and implement an effective lubrication program in any industrial workplace.

Individuals with this certification have proven their knowledge of industry methods for selecting, storing, filtering and testing lubricants to boost reliability and generate lasting results in machine availability and overall reliability. They also have an understanding of oil analysis, which enables them to align their efforts with those of maintenance professionals or oil analysis experts.

Certified MLT Level II technicians have advanced knowledge of lubrication topics like lubricant selection, troubleshooting, predictive maintenance and advanced lubrication techniques. They also understand the benefits and potential of excellent lubrication practices and can assist others in making comprehensive improvements in the workplace that save significant time, money, storage space and training resources.

To check the dates and locations of upcoming MLT exam sessions or to apply for an exam, visit the ICML website at www.lubecouncil.org.