Become a Certified Vibration Analyst

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Vibration Analyst Certification Levels

Click on a Category for more information.

The Process:

Below are the requirements for each level of certification, Category I – IV.

  1. Meet the experience requirement
  2. Meet the training requirement
  3. Register for the training course (if needed)
  4. Register for the exam (you can register for the exam the same time you register for a course)
  5. Complete your certification application
  6. Take course and/or exam
  7. Get your results, usually within 3 business weeks of exam

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 Recommended Experience:  6 months
Minimum Training Hours:  30 hours

Requirements:  Introduction to Machinery Vibrations – CAT I

Category I Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:

Vibration Principles:

 

(6 hours)

  • Basic motion
  • Period, Frequency
  • Amplitude (Peak, Peak-to-Peak, RMS)
  • Measurements (Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration)
  • Units, Unit Conversions
  • Time Orbital and Frequency Domains
  • Phase Natural Frequency, Resonance, Critical Speeds
  • Shaft and Casing Vibration

Data Acquisition:

 

(6 hours)

  • Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
  • Transducers
  • Sensor Mounting, Mounted Natural Frequency
  • Test Procedures
  • Computer Database Upload/Download
  • Recognition of Poor Data
  • Vibration System Calibration

Signal Processing:

 

(2 hours)

  • FFT Application

Condition Monitoring:

 

(4 hours)

  • Vibration Severity
  • Recognition of Baseline Variations

Fault Analysis:

 

(4 hours)

  • Basic Spectrum Analysis
  • Spectral Harmonics and Sidebands

Acceptance Testing:

 

(2 hours)

  • Test Procedures

Equipment Testing and Diagnostics:

 

(2 hours)

  • Process Safety

Fault Severity Determination:

 

(2 hours)

  • Levels (Overall, Narrowband, Component)

Field Balancing:

 

(2 hours)

  • Single-plane

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. Educational opportunities are available to meet the training hour recommendation and partially prepare for the Vibration Analyst certification exam at your organization.

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 Recommended Experience:  18 months
Minimum Training Hours:  60 hours (38 hours + VI Category I)

Requirements: Basic Machinery Vibration – CAT II

Category II Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:

Vibration Principles:

 

(2 hours)

  • 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
  • Shaft and Casing Vibration

Data Acquisition:

 

(2 hours)

  • Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
  • Transducers
  • Sensor Mounting, Mounted Natural Frequency
  • Fmax Acquisition Time
  • Proximity Sensor Conventions
  • Triggering
  • Test Planning
  • Test Procedures
  • Recognition of Poor Data
  • Vibration System Calibration

Signal Processing:

 

(4 hours)

  • 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

Condition Monitoring:

 

(2 hours)

  • 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

Fault Analysis:

 

(6 hours)

  • 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

Corrective Action Recognition:

 

(2 hours)

  • Shaft Alignment
  • Concentricity
  • Balancing
  • Basic Maintenance Action
  • Lubrication

Acceptance Testing:

 

(2 hours)

  • Test Procedures
  • Specifications and Relevant Standards
  • Acceptance Test Reporting

Equipment Testing and Diagnostics:

 

(2 hours)

  • Impact Testing
  • Forced Response Testing (e.g. Coherence, Transfer Function)
  • Modal Analysis
  • Process Safety

Reference Standards:

 

(1 hours)

  • Relevant International (ISO, IEC), National and Regional Standards

Reporting and Documentation:

 

(1 hours)

  • Vibration CM Reports
  • Machine History Records
  • Decision Making and Recommend Action

Fault Severity Determination:

 

(3 hours)

  • Levels (Overall, Narrowband, Component)
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Time Waveform and Orbit Analysis
  • Severity Charts, Graphs, Formulae

Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics

 

(1 hours)

  • Rotor Characteristics
  • Bearing Characteristics

Field Balancing:

 

(2 hours)

  • Single-plane
  • Two-plane

Category III Vibration Analysts are qualified to establish, direct, and\or 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)

Requirements: Machinery Vibration Analysis – CAT III

Category III Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:

Vibration Principles:

 

(1 hour)

  • 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
  • Instabilities, Non-linear Systems
  • Mode Shapes

Data Acquisition:

 

(1 hour)

  • 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

Signal Processing:

 

(5 hours)

  • 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
  • Band-width, Resolution
  • Noise Reduction
  • Averaging (Linear, Synchronous Time, Exponential)
  • Dynamic Range
  • Signal to Noise Ratio
  • Spectral Maps
  • Run-out Compensation

Condition Monitoring:

 

(2 hours)

  • 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

Fault Analysis:

 

(6 hours)

  • 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
  • Flow Induced Vibration, Aerodynamics and Liquids
  • Gearbox Defects
  • Resonance and Critical Speeds

Corrective Action Recognition:

 

(4 hours)

  • Shaft Alignment
  • Concentricity
  • Balancing
  • Machine Part Replacement
  • Flow Control
  • Isolation and Damping
  • Resonance Control
  • Basic Maintenance Action
  • Lubrication

Acceptance Testing:

 

(1 hour)

  • Specifications and Relevant Standards
  • Acceptance Test Reporting

Equipment Testing and Diagnostics:

 

(2 hours)

  • 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

Reference Standards:

 

(1 hour)

  • Relevant International (ISO, IEC), National and Regional Standards

Reporting and Documentation:

 

(1 hour)

  • Machine History Records
  • Vibration Diagnostic Reports
  • Vibration Prognostic Reports
  • Failure Investigation Report
  • Decision Making and Recommend Action

Fault Severity Determination:

 

(2 hours)

  • Levels (Overall, Narrowband, Component)
  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Time Waveform and Orbit Analysis
  • Severity Charts, Graphs, Formulae

Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics:

 

(2 hours)

  • Rotor Characteristics
  • Bearing Characteristics
  • Rotor Dynamic Computation (using approved procedures)
  • Rotor Dynamic Fault Modeling

Field Balancing:

 

(2 hours)

  • Single-plane
  • Two-plane
  • Multi-plane

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 Categories III)

Requirements: 
Advanced Vibration Control – CAT IV
Advanced Vibration Analysis – CAT IV
Practical Rotor Dynamics & Modeling – CAT IV

Category IV Body of Knowledge/Training Course Topics:

Vibration Principles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2 hours)

  • Vectors, Modulation
  • Phase
  • Natural Frequency, Resonance, Critical Speeds
  • Force, Response, Damping, Stiffness
  • Instabilities, Non-linear Systems
  • Mode Shapes

Data Acquisition:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2 hours)

  • Instrumentation (and acquire readings)
  • Dynamic Range
  • Test Planning
  • Test Procedures
  • Vibration System Calibration

Signal Processing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6 hours)

  • 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

Condition Monitoring:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2 hours)

  • 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

Fault Analysis:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4 hours)

  • 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

Corrective Action Recognition:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6 hours)

  • Shaft Alignment
  • Concentricity
  • Balancing
  • Machine Part Replacement
  • Flow Control
  • Isolation and Damping
  • Resonance Control
  • Basic Maintenance Action

Equipment Testing and Diagnostics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5 hours)

  • 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

Reference Standards:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2 hours)

  • Relevant International (ISO, IEC), National and Regional Standards

Reporting and Documentation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1 hour)


  • Vibration Prognostic Reports
  • Failure Investigation Report
  • Decision Making and Recommend Action
  • Expert Witness

Fault Severity Determination:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2 hours)

  • Spectrum Analysis
  • Time Waveform and Orbit Analysis
  • Severity Charts, Graphs, Formulae

Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6 hours)


  • Rotor Characteristics
  • Bearing Characteristics
  • Rotor Dynamic Computation (using approved procedures)
  • Rotor Dynamic Fault Modeling

Field Balancing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2 hours)

  • Single-plane
  • Two-plane
  • Multi-plane
  • Balancing Evaluation

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.

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.  Vibration Institute’s vibration analyst certification program IS THE ONLY vibration analyst certification program accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

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Certification Exams are offered:

  1. The day AFTER VI training courses 
  2. Anytime at VI offices
  3. At a USA location near you with a pre-approved VI proctor
  4. Through our International Representatives

How:

  1. Register for a course and exam
  2. Register for just the exam (if you already have the training requirement, or are getting training elsewhere)
  3. Find a USA proctor by contacting us
  4. Contact an International Representative in your country
Vibration Analysis CAT I - $300
Vibration Analysis CAT II - $350
Vibration Analysis CAT III - $400
Vibration Analysis CAT IV - $450

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