BECOME A CERTIFIED VIBRATION ANALYST
Vibration Analyst Certification Levels
Category I
CATEGORY Ii
CATEGORY III
CATEGORY Iv
Category I Vibration Analysts are qualified to perform a range of single channel machinery vibration condition monitoring and diagnostic activities including data acquisition on predetermined routes, machine steady state testing to predefined procedures, and comparison of readings against pre-established alert settings.
Minimum Required Experience: 6 months
Minimum Training Hours: 30 hours
Recommended Vibration Training meeting requirement: Introduction to Machinery Vibrations – CAT I
Category I Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:
Vibration Principles
- Basic motion
- Period, Frequency
- Amplitude (Peak, Peak-to-Peak, RMS)
- Measurements (Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration)
- Time Orbital and Frequency Domains
- Phase Natural Frequency, Resonance, Critical Speeds
- Shaft and Casing Vibration
6 hours
Data Acquisition
- Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
- Transducers
- Sensor Mounting, Mounted Natural Frequency
- Test Procedures
- Computer Database Upload/Download
- Recognition of Poor Data
- Vibration System Calibration
6 hours
Condition Monitoring
- Vibration Severity
- Recognition of Baseline Variations
4 hours
Signal Processing
- FFT Application
6 hours
Data Acquisition
- Basic Spectrum Analysis
- Spectral Harmonics and Sidebands
4 hours
Acceptance Testing
- Test Procedures
2 hours
Equipment Testing and Diagnostics
- Process Safety
2 hours
Fault Severity Determination
- Levels (Overall, Narrowband, Component)
4 hours
Field Balancing
- Single-plane
2 hours
Sample questions for Category I, are available for review the Vibration Institute Certification Handbook. Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour recommendation and partially prepare for the Vibration Analyst certification exam.
Category II Vibration Analysts are qualified to perform basic vibration analysis using single-channel instruments according to established procedures, set-up instruments, and maintain a database of results.
Minimum Required Experience: 18 months
Minimum Vibration Training Hours: (38 hours + VI Category I)
OR Direct Entry into Category II, (Skipping Category I exam)
Option 1: Minimum Required Experience: 36 months
Option 2: Minimum Experience/Education Combo: 12 months + 2-Year Tech Degree or 4-Year College Degree
PLUS: Minimum Vibration Training Hours: 38 hours
Recommended Vibration Training meeting requirement: Basic Machinery Vibration – CAT II
Category II Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:
Vibration Principles
- Basic motion
- Period, Frequency
- Amplitude (Peak, Peak-to-Peak, RMS)
- Measurements (Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration)
- Time Orbital and Frequency Domains
- Phase Natural Frequency, Resonance, Critical Speeds
- Shaft and Casing Vibration
2 hours
Data Acquisition
- Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
- Transducers
- Sensor Mounting, Mounted Natural Frequency
- Test Procedures
- Computer Database Upload/Download
- Recognition of Poor Data
- Vibration System Calibration
2 hours
Condition Monitoring
- Vibration Severity
- Alarm Set-up (Narrowband , Envelope)
- Baseline Assessments, Trending
- Route/Task Planning
- Alternate Technologies (e.g. Oil Analysis, Wear Debris Analysis, Infrared Thermography, Motor Current Analysis, Acoustic Emission)
- Recognition of Baseline Variations
- Alarm and Trip Level Determination
- Integrated Health Analysis
2 hours
Fault Analysis
- Basic Spectrum Analysis
- Spectral Harmonics and sidebands
- Time Waveform Analysis
- Phase Analysis
- Transient Analysis
- Orbital Analysis
- Shaft Centre-line Analysis
- Enveloping
- Mass Unbalance
- Misalignment
- Concentricity Errors
- Mechanical Looseness
- Rubs
- Instabilities
- Shaft Bow
- Bearing (Rolling Element, Journal) Defects
- Electric Motor Defects
- Gearbox Defects
- Resonance and Critical Speeds
6 hours
Signal Processing
- Analogue and Digital; Sampling
- FFT Application
- Windows (Uniform, Hanning, Flat-top)
- Filters (Low pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Tracking)
- Anti-aliasing
- Band-width, Resolution
- Noise Reduction
- Averaging (Linear, Synchronous Time, Exponential)
- Dynamic Range
- Run-out Compensation
4 hours
Corrective Action Recognition
- Shaft Alignment
- Concentricity
- Balancing
- Basic Maintenance Action
- Lubrication
2 hours
Acceptance Testing
- Test Procedures
- Specifications and Relevant Standards
- Acceptance Test Reporting
2 hours
Reference Standards:
- Relevant International (ISO, IEC), National and Regional Standards
1 hours
Field Balancing
- Single-plane
- Field Balancing:Two-plane
2 hours
Equipment Testing and Diagnostics
- Impact Testing
- Forced Response Testing (e.g. Coherence, Transfer Function)
- Modal Analysis
- Process Safety
1 hours
Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics
- Rotor Characteristics
- Bearing Characteristics
1 hours
Reporting and Documentation
- Vibration CM Reports
- Machine History Records
- Decision Making and Recommend Action
1 hours
Fault Severity Determination:
- Levels (Overall, Narrowband, Component)
- Spectrum Analysis
- Time Waveform and Orbit Analysis
- Severity Charts, Graphs, Formulae
3 hours
Category III Vibration Analysts are qualified to establish, direct, andor perform programs for condition monitoring and diagnostics of machines including spectral, waveform, and orbit analysis. Category III certified Vibration Analysts shall be qualified to perform minor corrective actions involving operating deflection shapes, single-plane balancing, and diagnostic testing.
Minimum Recommended Experience: 36 months
Minimum Training Hours: 90 hours (38 hours + VI Category II)
Recommended Vibration Training meeting requirement: Basic Machinery Vibration – CAT III, Balancing of Rotating Machinery – CAT III
Category III Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:
Vibration Principles
- Basic motion
- Period, Frequency
- Amplitude (Peak, Peak-to-Peak, RMS)
- Measurements (Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration)
- Units, Unit Conversions
- Time Orbital and Frequency Domains
- Vectors, Modulation
- Phase
- Natural Frequency, Resonance, Critical Speeds
- Force, Response, Damping, Stiffness
- Mode Shapes
1 hours
Data Acquisition
- Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
- Dynamic Range
- Transducers
- Sensor Mounting, Mounted Natural Frequency
- Fmax Acquisition Time
- Proximity Sensor Conventions
- Triggering
- Test Planning
- Test Procedures
- Recognition of Poor Data
- Vibration System Calibration
1 hours
Condition Monitoring
- Computer Database Set-up and Maintenance
- Equipment Evaluation and Prioritization
- CM Program Design
- Alarm Set-up (Narrowband and Envelope)
- Baseline Assessments, Trending
- Route/Task Planning
- Alternate Technologies (e.g. Oil Analysis, Wear Debris Analysis, Infrared Thermography, Motor Current Analysis, Acoustic Emission)
- Alarm and Trip Level Determination
- Procedure Writing (and methods of working)
- CM Program Implementation and Management
- Integrated Health Analysis
- Prognostics
2 hours
Signal Processing
- RMS/Peak Detection
- Analogue/Digital Conversion
- Analogue and Digital; Sampling
- FFT Computation
- Windows (Uniform, Hanning, Flat-top)
- Filters (Low pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Tracking)
- Anti-aliasing
- Noise Reduction
- Averaging (Linear, Synchronous Time, Exponential)
- Dynamic Range
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- Spectral Maps
- Run-out Compensation
5 hours
Fault Analysis
- Basic Spectrum Analysis
- Spectral Harmonics and Sidebands
- Time Waveform Analysis
- Phase Analysis
- Transient Analysis
- Orbital Analysis
- Shaft Centre-line Analysis
- Enveloping
- Misalignment
- Concentricity Errors
- Mechanical Looseness
- Rubs
- Instabilities
- Shaft Bow
- Bearing (Rolling Element, Journal) Defects
- Electric Motor Defects
- Flow Induced Vibration, Aerodynamics and Liquids
- Gearbox Defects
- Resonance and Critical Speeds
4 hours
Corrective Action Recognition
- Shaft Alignment
- Concentricity
- Balancing
- Machine Part Replacement
- Flow Control
- Isolation and Damping
- Resonance Control
- Basic Maintenance Action
- Lubrication
4 hours
Acceptance Testing
- Specifications and Relevant Standards
- Acceptance Test Reporting
1 hours
Reference Standards
- Relevant International (ISO, IEC), National and Regional Standards
1 hours
Field Balancing
- Single-plane
- Two-plane
- Multi-plane
2 hours
Equipment Testing and Diagnostics
- Impact Testing
- Forced Response Testing (e.g. Coherence, Transfer Function)
- Transient Testing
- Damping Evaluation
- Operating Deflection Shapes
- Modal Analysis
- Torsional Vibration
- Axial Vibration and Thrust
- Process Safety
2 hours
Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics
- Rotor Characteristics
- Bearing Characteristics
- Rotor Dynamic Computation (using approved procedures)
- Rotor Dynamic Fault Modeling
2 hours
Reporting and Documentation
- Machine History Records
- Vibration Diagnostic Reports
- Vibration Prognostic Reports
- Failure Investigation Report
- Decision Making and Recommend Action
1 hours
Fault Severity Determination:
- Levels (Overall, Narrowband, Component)
- Spectrum Analysis
- Time Waveform and Orbit Analysis
- Severity Charts, Graphs, Formulae
2 hours
Sample questions for Category III, are available for review the Vibration Institute Certification Handbook. Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour recommendation and partially prepare for the Vibration Analyst certification exam. Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour recommendation and partially prepare for the Vibration Analyst certification exam at your organization.
Category IV Vibration Analysts are individuals who understand the theory of mechanical vibrations, advanced vibration analysis techniques and signal analysis. They shall be qualified to direct condition monitoring programs, perform major diagnostic efforts, and perform and recommend corrective actions and design modifications.
Minimum Recommended Experience: 60 months
Minimum Training Hours: 130 hours (64 hours + VI Category III)
Recommended Vibration Training meeting requirement:
Advanced Vibration Control – CAT IV
Advanced Vibration Analysis – CAT IV
Category IV Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:
Vibration Principles
- Vectors, Modulation
- Phase
- Natural Frequency, Resonance, Critical Speeds
- Force, Response, Damping, Stiffness
- Instabilities, Non-linear Systems
- Mode Shapes
2 hours
Data Acquisition
- Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
- Dynamic Range
- Test Planning
- Test Procedures
- Vibration System Calibration
2 hours
Condition Monitoring
- Computer Database Set-up and Maintenance
- Equipment Evaluation and Prioritization
- CM Program Design
- Alternate Technologies (e.g. Oil Analysis, Wear Debris Analysis, Infrared Thermography, Motor Current Analysis, Acoustic Emission)
- Alarm and Trip Level Determination
- Procedure Writing (and methods of working)
- CM Program Implementation and Management
- Integrated Health Analysis
- Prognostics
2 hours
Signal Processing
- RMS/Peak Detection
- Analogue/Digital Conversion
- Analogue and Digital; Sampling
- FFT Computation
- Filters (Low pass, High Pass, Band Pass, Tracking)
- Anti-aliasing
- Band-width, Resolution
- Averaging (Linear, Synchronous Time, Exponential)
- Dynamic Range
- Signal to Noise Ratio
- Spectral Maps
6 hours
Fault Analysis
- Spectral Harmonics and Sidebands
- Transient Analysis
- Enveloping
- Mass Unbalance
- Misalignment
- Concentricity Errors
- Mechanical Looseness
- Rubs
- Instabilities
- Shaft Bow
- Bearing (Rolling Element, Journal) Defects
- Electric Motor Defects
- Flow Induced Vibration, Aerodynamics and Liquids
- Gearbox Defects
- Resonance and Critical Speeds
4 hours
Corrective Action Recognition
- Shaft Alignment
- Concentricity
- Balancing
- Machine Part Replacement
- Flow Control
- Isolation and Damping
- Resonance Control
- Basic Maintenance Action
6 hours
Equipment Testing and Diagnostics
- Impact Testing
- Forced Response Testing (e.g. Coherence, Transfer Function)
- Transient Testing
- Damping Evaluation
- Operating Deflection Shapes
- Modal Analysis
- Torsional Vibration
- Axial Vibration and Thrust
- Coupled Torsional and Lateral Vibration
5 hours
Reporting and Documentation
- Vibration Prognostic Reports
- Failure Investigation Report
- Decision Making and Recommend Action
- Expert Witness
1 hours
Fault Severity Determination
- Spectrum Analysis
- Time Waveform and Orbit Analysis
- Severity Charts, Graphs, Formulae
2 hours
Reference Standards
- Relevant International (ISO, IEC), National and Regional Standards
2 hours
Field Balancing
- Single-plane
- Two-plane
- Multi-plane
- Balancing Evaluation
1 hours
Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics
- Rotor Characteristics
- Bearing Characteristics
- Rotor Dynamic Computation (using approved procedures)
- Rotor Dynamic Fault Modeling
3 hours
Sample questions for Category IV, are available for review the Vibration Institute Certification Handbook. Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour recommendation and partially prepare for the Vibration Analyst certification exam. Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour recommendation and partially prepare for the Vibration Analyst certification exam at your organization.
Get Certified
Certification Exams are offered:
- The day AFTER VI training courses.
- At the Vibration Institute Office during regular business hours.
- At a USA location near you with a pre-approved VI proctor.
- Through our International Representatives.
How?
- Register for a course and exam.
- Register for just the exam (if you already have the training requirement, or are getting training elsewhere).
- Find a USA proctor by contacting us.
- Contact an International Representative in your country.
The Process:
Requirements for each level of certification, Category I – IV.
- Meet the work experience requirement
- Meet the vibration training requirement
- Register for the vibration training course (if needed)
- Register for the exam (you can register for the exam the same time you register for a course)
- Complete your certification exam application
- Take course and/or exam
- Get your results, usually within 3 business weeks of exam
The Vibration Institute vibration analyst certification program is the benchmark and recognized as one of the highest standards of industry knowledge and competence among professionals in the field. The Vibration Institute’s vibration analyst certification program IS THE ONLY vibration analyst certification program accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB).
Vibration Analyst
CAT I Examination $350
Vibration Analyst
CAT II Examination $400
Vibration Analyst
CAT III Examination $450
Vibration Analyst
CAT IV Examination $500