Technical Nonprofit Organization Serving Industrial

Lubrication & Oil Analysis Professionals Wordwide

Setting the Standard

for Over a Decade
WHO WE ARE
The International Council for Machinery Lubrication is a
vendor- neutral, non-profit, global organization founded to
facilitate growth and development of machinery lubrication
as a technical field of endeavor. ICML is dedicated to the
betterment and development of the machinery lubrication
industry. It helps lubrication practitioners succeed in their
professional careers through its certification program, ICML
advocates the needs of practitioners for additional
lubrication-related standards and plays an important role in
supporting the development of such standards, by working
in conjunction with the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI) and the International Organization for Standardization
(ISO) in lubrication related working groups. ICML also
advocates lubrication curriculum at vocational and technical
schools. In short, ICML is changing the course of machinery
lubrication.

ƕ 17,000+ Certificates Issued ƕ 100+ Countries Represented

ƕ 3,300+ Companies Benefited ƕ 10+ Languages Available

CERTIFICATION
All ICML testing is application-oriented and designed to test
skills needed to properly perform daily tasks of machinery
lubrication and lube oil analysis, as it is applied to machinery
condition monitoring and maintenance.
• Creates a formal framework of knowledge
• Provides managers with assurance of skills
• Raises the profile of those working in the field
• Dignifies machinery lubrication & oil analysis professions
• Allows practitioners international recognition of
their credentials
• ICML offers multilevel skill-based certification testing
in the areas of machinery lubrication and oil analysis.
• Certification is valid for 3 years from the date of issue
Testing Criteria - Candidates are tested through a written,
closed-book, multiple-choice format exam consisting of 100
questions, covering the requirements for each certification
type as outlined below. Candidates have three hours to
complete the exam and are required to attain a 70 percent
passing rate in order to achieve certification.
Recertification - By points, through a log of valid activities,
such as employment, training, article publication and
conference attendance.
Sponsorship - Sponsoring an ICML exam session is easy
and shows your employees and customers your commitment
to betterment of industry. ICML will recognize your company
as a sponsor on our web site and select literature. Please
contact ICML at LubeCouncil.org for more information.

Reliability & PdM Lubrication Laboratory Mechanics GM’s &

2FFXSDWLRQ6SHFLÀF&HUWLÀFDWLRQ Professionals Technicians Oil Analysts & Craftsmen Supervisors*

Level I Machinery Lubricant Analyst (MLA), ISO 18436-4, I

Level II Machinery Lubricant Analyst (MLA), ISO 18436-4, II

Level III Machinery Lubricant Analyst (MLA), ISO 18436-4, III

Level I Machinery Lubricant Technician (MLT)

Level II Machinery Lubricant Technician (MLT)

Level I Laboratory Lubricant Analyst (LLA), ISO 18436-5, I ** **

Level II Laboratory Lubricant Analyst (LLA), ISO 18436-5, II ** **

Level III Laboratory Lubricant Analyst (LLA), ISO 18436-5, III ** **

Maintenance
Lubrication Machinery Reliability Reliability & PdM Lubrication
2FFXSDWLRQ6SHFLÀF&HUWLÀFDWLRQ Engineer Engineer Engineer Managers & Professionals*** Technicians***
Supervisors**

Machinery Lubrication Engineer (MLE)

LEGEND: ReTuired Certi¿cation Optional, but recommend for collateral knowledge Optional, not required except for personal development Required for program managers and senior technicians,
recommended for technicians with occupation group | *These suggestions are for mechanics, craftsmen and operators not involved with lubrication tasks. If involved with lubrication, use “Lubrication Technicians”
column recommendations. **These suggestions are for maintenance managers and supervisors. Individuals in charge of lubrication or lubricant analysis activities should attain the highest level certi¿cation in the
area for which they are responsible. ***Although the ML( does not require any other ICML credential as a pre-requisite, it is recommended that professionals following a career path, from the shop Àoor up, through
either the MLT/MLA track, achieve the highest level in those, prior to attempting the MLE.

LubeCouncil.org
CERTIFICATIONS
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MLA (ISO 18436-4)
LHYHO, - Targets in-plant technicians responsible
for lubrication tasks and basic lubricant analysis for
machine condition monitoring, including, oil changes,
top-ups, greasing bearings, lubricant receiving, storage
and care of lubricants; dispensing devices, basic oil
sampling, contamination control and problem detection.
LHYHO,, - Targets in-plant technicians responsible for
the daily activities associated with lubricant analysis
for machine condition monitoring, including sampling,
sample management, performance of simple onsite
tests, managing test results and performing simple
diagnostics. Mature students may start their ICML oil
analysis career at level II. See MLA II for more speci¿cs.
LHYHO,,, - Targets in-plant technicians and engineers
responsible for managing the lubricant analysis
function. Learn team management, test slate selection,
setting alarms and limits, sampling system design,
instruments selection, software selection and advanced
diagnostics.
0L$,%2.- Maintenance Strategy, Lubrication
Theory/ Fundamentals, Lubricant Selection, Lubricant
Application, Lube Storage & Management, Lube
Condition Control, Oil Sampling, Lubricant Health
Monitoring, Wear Debris Monitoring & Analysis
Prerequisites
• 12 months* experience with lubricant-analysis-
based machinery condition monitoring (*based on
16 hours per month of sampling and analysis
experience)
• 24 hours of documented training as outlined in the
Body of Knowledge of the MLA I
0L$,,%2.- Lubricant Roles & Functions, Oil Analysis
Maintenance Strategies, Oil Sampling, Lubricant Health
Monitoring, Lubricant Contamination Measurement &
Control, Wear Debris Monitoring & Analysis
Prerequisites
• 24 months* experience with lubricant-analysis-
based machinery condition monitoring (*based on
16 hours per month of sampling and analysis
experience)
• Level I Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA)
certi¿cation OR have 6 hours experience and
the knowledge base of the Body of Knowledge of
the MLA I
• 24 hours of documented training in oil analysis for
machine condition monitoring as outlined in the
Body of Knowledge of the MLA II
0L$,,,%2.- Lubrication Fundamentals,
Fundamentals of Machine Wear, Wear Debris Analysis,
Analyzing Lubricant Degradation, Oil Analysis Program
Dev. & Program Management
Prerequisites
• 36 months* experience in lubricant-analysis-based
machinery condition monitoring (*based on 16
hours per month of sampling and analysis
experience)
• Level II Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA II)
certi¿cation
• 32 hours of documented training in oil analysis for
machine condition monitoring as outlined in the
Body of Knowledge of the MLA III
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LLA (ISO 18436-5)
LHYHO, - Targets laboratory technicians performing
simple daily activities, according to pre-established
procedures associated with testing of lubricant
samples. Tasks include receiving and handling
lubricant samples, performing tests, reporting results
and inspecting data from individual test methods.
LHYHO,,- Targets laboratory technicians responsible for
the daily activities associated with producing lubricant
analysis data for machine condition monitoring. Tasks
include performing test and analysis, diagnosing
lubricant failure mechanism and modes instrument
calibration and SPC-based quality control.
LHYHO,,,- Targets laboratory technicians, chemists and
engineers responsible for managing lubricant analysis
activities in the laboratory. Learn lab staff management,
instrument and LIMS system selection, management of
calibration, maintenance of laboratory certi¿cation and
diagnostic support to clients.
LL$,%2.- Sample Handling & Preparation,
Lubricant Health Monitoring, Reagent Management,
Instrument Calibration
Prerequisites
• 12 months* experience in laboratory-based
lubricant testing and analysis for machinery
condition monitoring (*based on a minimum 1
hrs. per month of testing and analysis experience)
• 24 hours of documented training as outlined in the
Body of Knowledge of the LLA I
LL$,,%2.- Lubricant Health Monitoring, Testing for
Wrong or Mixed Lubricants, Water Contamination,
Glycol Coolant Contamination, Soot Contamination,
Fuel Contamination, Air Contamination, Particle
Contamination, Wear Debris Monitoring & Analysis,
Data Interpretation, Quality Control, Lubricant Roles,
Functions, Failure Modes
Prerequisites
• 24 months* experience in laboratory-based
lubricant testing and analysis for machinery
condition monitoring (*based on a minimum 1
hrs. per month of testing and analysis experience)
• Provisional note: Candidates with at least 36
months of experience and the knowledge base
of the LLA I body of knowledge need not hold level
I certi¿cation to apply. Level I Laboratory Lubricant
Analyst (LLA) certi¿cation
• 24 hours of documented training as outlined in the
Body of Knowledge of the LLA II
LL$,,,%2.- Wear Debris Monitoring & Analysis,
Data Interpretation, Quality Control, Lubricant Roles,
Functions, Failure Modes, Sensorial Inspections,
Environmental Effects on Results, Alternate Technology
Data Correlation, Personnel Training
Prerequisites
• 36 months* experience in laboratory-based
lubricant testing and analysis for machinery
condition monitoring (*based on a minimum 1
hours per month of testing and analysis experience)
• Level II Laboratory Lubricant Analyst (LLA)
certi¿cation
• 32 hours of documented training as outlined in the
Body of Knowledge of the LLA III
0DFKLQHLXEULFDWLRQ7HFKQLFLDQMLT
LHYHO, - Targets in-plant technicians responsible for
daily lubrication tasks, including oil changes, top ups,
greasing bearings, lubricant receiving and proper
storage and care of lubricants and dispensing devices.
LHYHO,,- Targets in-plant technicians or engineers
responsible for managing the lube team, selecting
lubricants, troubleshooting abnormal lubricant
performance and supporting machine design activities.
0L7,%2.- Maintenance Strategy, Lubrication Theory,
Lubricants, Lubricant Selection, Lubricant Application,
Preventive & Predictive Maintenance, Lube Condition
Control, Lube Storage & Management
Prerequisites
• 2 years education (postsecondary) or on-the-job
training in one of the following: machine
lubrication, engineering, mechanical maintenance
and/or maintenance trades
• 16 hours of formal training in machinery lubrication
0L7,,%2.- Maintenance Strategy, Lubrication
Theory, Lubricant Formulation, Grease Application &
Performance, Lubricant Selection, Lubricant Testing &
Performance Analysis, Lubricant Application, Preventive
& Predictive Maintenance, Lubricant Condition Control,
Lube Storage & Management
Prerequisites
• 3 years education (post-secondary) or on-the-job
training in one of the following: machinery
lubrication, engineering, mechanical maintenance
and/or maintenance trades
• Level I Machinery Lubrication Technician (MLT)
certi¿cation
• 32 hours of documented training in machinery
lubrication
0DFKLQHLXEULFDWLRQEQJLQHHUMLE
Targets staff, contract or consulting lubrication
engineers (degree not required) responsible for
development, implementation and management of
lubrication programs. Tasks include providing general
engineering support to a user lubrication program
including lubricant selection, lubrication hardware
selection and implementation, overall lubrication
program design, procedure development, lubricant
PMs and inspection program design, lubricant analysis
and troubleshooting, lubrication program metrics,
training and skills remediation and management/staff
communications.
MLE%2.- Lubrication, Lubricants, Lubricant Delivery
System/Mechanism Function, Design, Selection &
Care, Classi¿cation Systems, Selecting Lubricants,
Lubrication Maintenance & Management
Prerequisites
• 5 years education (post-secondary) or on-the-job
training in one of the following: engineering,
mechanical maintenance, maintenance trades,
lubrication, oil analysis and/or condition monitoring
(mechanical machinery)
• 48 hours of documented training in lubrication and
analysis for machine condition monitoring
LubeCouncil.org
ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS

ICML AWARDS

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ICML awards have become

a synonym of world-class
oil analysis and machinery
lubrication programs, honoring
prime examples in the
industry which have received
VOLUNTEERING much-deserved recognition for
their pioneering efforts.
ICML welcomes the participation of interested practitioners in all areas of
council activities.
The awards recognize
STANDARDS innovation in the areas of
oil analysis and machinery
Activities are under way at ISO and ASTM to develop used oil analysis
lubrication and were designed
standards. There is a clear need for additional standards in the areas of
to motivate companies to
lubricant selection and application, contamination control, etc. ICML serves as
a rallying point for machinery lubrication practitioners to speak with a common improve machine reliability
voice by supporting the development of lubrication-related standards and and maintenance quality
guides, including the support of efforts at ISO (where ICML presently convenes through development,
the working group of tribology-based condition monitoring of machines), ASTM implementation and
and other organizations. management of best-in-class
oil analysis and machinery
lubrication programs.

To find out more or to see the

criteria used in the judging
of each of the awards, visit
LubeCouncil.org.

3104 South Elm Place, Suite F Broken Arrow, OK 74012

918-259-2950 | Fax: 918-259-0177 | info@lubecouncil.org
LubeCouncil.org