1. Home
  2. Vibration Institute | ISO-18436 Vibration Analysis Training and Certification    
    Share
  • Introduction to Machinery Vibrations (IMV) CAT I

    This course helps prepare attendees to perform a range of simple, single channel machinery vibration condition monitoring and diagnostic activities. This course meets the 30-hour training requirement for preparation for the Category I vibration analyst certification exam per ISO 18436-2:2014.

      Learn More »

  • Basic Machinery Vibrations (BMV) CAT II

    This course helps prepare attendees to perform basic machinery vibrations analysis on industrial machinery by providing knowledge, understanding and application of established and recognized procedures. It is recommended for individuals as an introduction to machinery vibrations providing 38 hours of training and partial preparation for the ISO 18436-2:2014 Vibration Analyst Category II Certification Exam.

      Learn More »

  • Machinery Vibration Analysis (MVA) CAT III


    This course provides more in-depth discussions of time waveforms, FFT’s and phase analysis techniques for the evaluation of industrial machinery. It includes waveform and spectral analysis, acceptance testing, machinery severity assessment, single plane balancing and much more. This course provides 38 hours of training and partial preparation for the ISO 18436-2:2014 Vibration Analyst Category III Certification Exam.

      Learn More »

  • Rotordynamics and Balancing (RDB) CAT IV

    Rotordynamics describes the science and practice of analyzing the dynamics of rotating machinery. All rotating machinery, particularly high speed-high performance machinery, inherently exhibit unique dynamical behavior that can affect the operation and maintenance of the machine.

      Learn More »

  • Structural and Machinery Vibration Analysis (SMV) CAT IV


    This course is intended to stress the relationship between structural and machinery vibration. Concepts such as Resonance & Modal Analysis are covered. The course is a partial-prep for the CAT IV ISO-18436 Certification Examination.

      Learn More »

  • Practical Machinery Vibration (PMV) CAT II

    Duration: 4 days
    For: All maintenance and vibration engineers and technicians.
    This is the same as the Basic Machinery Vibrations (BMV) course but with selective hands on workshops to provide practical training on machinery vibration.

      Learn More »

  • Rotor Balancing

    Duration: 4 days
    For: All maintenance and vibration engineers
    Practical application are provided including considerations of preparation of alignment, brackets and coupling, thermal considerations and alignment tolerances. Workshop applications are provided.

      Learn More »

  • Shaft Alignment

    Duration: 4 days
    For: All maintenance and vibration engineers
    Practical application are provided including considerations of preparation of alignment, brackets and coupling, thermal considerations and alignment tolerances. Workshop applications are provided.

      Learn More »

  • In-House Training

    RITEC regularly conducts on-site, in-house training for customers throughout the region for Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Steel and other industries.

      Learn More »

  • Certification Program

    The Vibration Institute’s certification program provides third-party conformity assessment of individuals to determine their competence as a Vibration Analyst at a given category.
    Find out the VI CAT I-IV Certification Requirements.

      Learn More »

  • Upcoming Training Courses and Certification Examination Sessions Schedule

    Want to become certified from the industry benchmark ANSI-accredited certifying body? Find out the upcoming examination schedule and certification requirements.

      Learn More »

   Vibration Training Courses



The following is a description of each of the courses offered by RITEC:


Introduction to Machinery Vibration (IMV) CAT I

Duration: 4 days
For: All maintenance engineers and technicians

This course is designed for Technicians and Engineers with limited experience in Vibration measurement and analysis. It is designed to provide the attendees with:

  • Practical experience on vibration measurement and basic time and spectral analysis.
  • Field measurement of amplitude, frequency and phase
  • Calibration of measurements
  • Data analysis and interpretation
This course should provide the attendees with detailed practical experience of vibration measurement and analysis. This course should be sufficient in addition to field experience, to prepare the attendees for the Vibration Analyst - Category I Certification Exam.

Course Contents:

  • Vibration Principles
  • Data Acquisition
  • Signal Processing
  • Condition Monitoring
  • Fault Analysis
  • Acceptance Testing
  • Equipment Testing and Diagnostics
  • Fault Severity Determination
  • Field Balancing
Download Detailed Course Brochure »

Basic Machinery Vibrations (BMV) CAT II


For: All maintenance engineers and technicians
Duration: 5 days
Basic Machinery Vibrations is designed as an introductory course to the use and analysis of machinery vibration data for condition monitoring.

The course emphasizes the effects of vibration on mechanical equipment, the instrumentation used to measure vibration, the techniques used for vibration analysis and control, developing a condition monitoring program, and vibration correction and criteria. Examples and case histories of Industrial vibration problems are used to illustrate techniques.

Participants have the opportunity to become familiar with these techniques during workshops. This course will be of interest to engineers and technicians who must identify and correct faults in machinery; and should be sufficient in addition to field experience, to prepare the attendees for the Vibration Analyst - Category II Certification Exam.

Course Contents:

  • Vibration Principles
  • Data Acquisition
  • Signal Processing
  • Condition Monitoring
  • Fault Analysis
  • Acceptance Testing
  • Equipment Testing and Diagnostics
  • Reference Standards
  • Reporting and Documentation
  • Fault Severity Determination
  • Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics
  • Field Balancing
Download Detailed Course Brochure »


Machinery Vibration Analysis (MVA) CAT III

Duration: 5 days
For: All maintenance and vibration engineers and technicians

The most widely accepted measure of machine condition is its vibration signature. This course is designed to expose the techniques of vibration analysis of machinery, with the aim of improving machinery monitoring and diagnosis.

This course is a more advanced course with emphasis on diagnostics techniques. Not only spectrum analysis, but also time domain, phase analysis and demodulation techniques are discussed. The emphasis is on techniques to verify the existence and the extent of faults and means to evaluate the condition of a machine. Bearing Faults, Gear Box Faults, Electric Motor Vibrations, and Rotating Machinery Malfunction, Balancing, Isolation and Correction represent the main thrust of this course.

The course provides a unique format in which an abundance of case studies are presented as application of machine condition analysis. The course prepares attendees for Category III certification according to ISO 18436.

Course Contents:

  • Vibration Principles
  • Data Acquisition
  • Signal Processing
  • Condition Monitoring
  • Fault Analysis
  • Corrective Action Recognition
  • Acceptance Testing
  • Equipment Testing and Diagnostics
  • Reference Standards
  • Reporting and Documentation
  • Fault Severity Determination
  • Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics
  • Field Balancing
Download Detailed Course Brochure »

Rotor Balancing

Duration: 3 days
For: All maintenance and vibration engineers

Unbalance is the most common machinery faults. This course introduces techniques to identify unbalance from vibration measurement data. Moreover, the course introduces the techniques for the corrective maintenance actions of balancing.

This course is intended to provide basics of balancing of rotating machinery and field applications. The course presents the vibration analysis leading to the identification of unbalance of rotating machines. For balancing the course presents field balancing techniques including single plane balancing, two-plane balancing and static-couple balancing. Workshop applications will be provided.

The course provides a unique format in which an abundance of case studies are presented. Workshop sessions are conducted daily to illustrate the techniques of balancing and alignment, as well as the tools and software used.

Vibration Institute and RITEC courses are designed to provide the attendees with theory, techniques, and procedures as well as practical case histories that illustrate ways to analyze various types of equipment. In-class demonstrations and workshops will help in learning the methods used to solve balancing problems.

Course Contents:

  • First day: Introduction to Vibration Measurement. Machinery Vibration Analysis. Common Machinery Faults. Detection of Unbalance from Vibration Data. Basic Balancing of Rotating Machinery. Balancing Pitfalls. Pre-Balancing Checks

  • Second day: Trial Weight Calculation. Critical Speed Considerations. Single Plane Balancing. Calculating Balancing Weights. Two-Plane Balancing. Influence coefficients and Balance Sensitivity.

  • Third day: Balancing Programs. Static Balancing. Static-Couple Balancing. Dynamic Balancing. Balancing of Flexible Rotors. Modal Balancing. Least Squares Balancing. Unified Balancing Approach.
Download Detailed Course Brochure »

Shaft Alignment

Duration: 4 days
For: All maintenance and vibration engineers

The course presents various alignment methods including

  • Rough alignment
  • Face and rim alignment
  • Reverse indicator method (graphical & analytical)
  • laser alignment techniques
  • Practical application are provided including considerations of preparation of alignment
  • Brackets and coupling
  • Thermal considerations and alignment tolerances
  • Workshop applications will be provided

Course Contents:

  • Introduction to Alignment
  • Types of Misalignment
  • Coupling Types
  • Pre-alignment Considerations
  • Checking Foundation/Machine Casing Interface
  • Checking Excessive Static Piping Forces
  • Alignment Preparations
  • Alignment Brackets
  • Measuring Shaft or Coupling Hub Runout
  • Properly Rotating a Shaft
  • Mounting a Dial Indicator Correctly
  • Rough Alignment Methods
  • Face-Peripheral Dial Indicator Method
  • Reverse Indicator
  • Alignment Method
  • Complications and Practical Considerations
  • Movement Direction Planes
  • Graphical Alignment
  • Shaft-to-Coupling Spool Method
  • Hot Alignment
  • Component Alignment
  • Laser Alignment
  • Moving Machinery in the Field
  • Alignment Tolerances
    • Download Detailed Course Brochure »

Rotordynamics and Balancing (RDB) CAT IV

Duration: 5 days
For: All maintenance and vibration engineers

Rotordynamics describes the science and practice of analyzing the dynamics of rotating machinery. All rotating machinery, particularly high speed-high performance machinery, inherently exhibit unique dynamical behavior that can affect the operation and maintenance of the machine.

This course describes the fundamentals of the dynamics of rotors and the analysis and correction of rotating machinery problems. Topics include:

  • The basic rotordynamic theory
  • Modeling and analysis of rotors
  • Critical Speeds and Mode Shapes
  • The Transfer Matrix Method
  • Development of a dynamic model
  • Modeling machinery components
  • Run-up and coast-down tests
  • Static and Couple balancing
  • Effect of bearings on dynamic behavior of rotors
  • Stability of rotating machinery
  • Bodé and Nyquist Plots
  • Introduction to rotor balancing
  • Field balancing
  • Fluid film bearing modeling and analysis
  • Modal behavior of rotors
  • Balancing instrumentation
  • Multi-plane balancing
  • Flexible rotor balancing

Course Contents:

  • First day: Introduction to Rotordynamics. Unique features of rotating machinery. Stability behavior. Unbalance Response. Speed dependent characteristics. Interference diagrams. Rotor-Bearing Modeling.

  • Second day: Transfer Matrix Analysis. Finite Element Analysis. Campbell Diagram and Critical Speeds. Modal Behavior of Rotors. Exercises using RIMAP. Effect of Fluid Film Bearings on Rotordynamics. Critical Speed Maps.

  • Third day: Transient Testing. Measuring the Dynamic Characteristics of Rotors. Critical Speed Testing. Run-up/Coast Down Analysis. Bodé and Nyquist Plots. Measuring Phase and Phase Conventions. Measuring Orbits. Measuring Shaft Centerline. Calibration of Rotordynamic models.

  • Fourth day: Balancing of Rotating Machinery. Balancing of Rigid Rotors. Single and Two Plane Balancing. Static - Couple Balancing. Dynamic Balancing. Balancing Pitfalls. Vector Diagrams. Balancing of Flexible Rotors. Modal Balancing, Balancing Using Polar Plots.

  • Fifth day: Stability of High Speed Rotating Machinery. Stability Maps. Design and Selection of Fluid Film Bearings for Rotordynamic Applications. Diagnosis of Fluid Film Bearing Faults. Rotors on Active Magnetic Bearings. Smart Bearings: SEMAJIB. Case Studies.

    • Download Detailed Course Brochure »

Practical Machinery Vibration (PMV) CAT II

Duration: 4 days
For: All maintenance and vibration engineers and technicians.

This is the same as the Basic Machinery Vibrations (BMV) course but with selective hands on workshops to provide practical training on machinery vibration.

The course emphasizes the effects of vibration on mechanical equipment, the instrumentation used to measure vibration, the techniques used for vibration analysis and control, developing a condition monitoring program, and vibration correction and criteria. Examples and case histories of Industrial vibration problems are used to illustrate techniques.

Participants have the opportunity to become familiar with these techniques during workshops. This course will be of interest to engineers and technicians who must identify and correct faults in machinery; and should be sufficient in addition to field experience, to prepare the attendees for the Vibration Analyst - Category II Certification Exam.

Course Contents:

  • Vibration Principles
  • Data Acquisition
  • Signal Processing
  • Condition Monitoring
  • Fault Analysis
  • Acceptance Testing
  • Equipment Testing and Diagnostics
  • Reference Standards
  • Reporting and Documentation
  • Fault Severity Determination
  • Theoretical Rotor and Bearing Dynamics
  • Field Balancing
Download Detailed Course Brochure »


Structural and Machinery Vibration Analysis (SMV) CAT IV

Duration: 5 days
For: All maintenance and vibration engineers

This course is intended to stress the relationship between structural and machinery vibration. Topics covered include:

  • Structural vibration measurement
  • Faults in machinery
  • Generated forces in machinery
  • Resonance
  • Critical speed testing
  • Bump tests
  • Measurement of operating deflection shapes (ODS)
  • Modal testing of machines and structures
  • Applications and case histories from industry.

Course Contents:

  • Introduction to vibration
  • Concept of resonance
  • Modal behavior of structures
  • Measurement of structural vibration
  • A Review of Basic Vibration Signal Analysis Concepts
  • Fourier Transform-The Door to Frequency Domain Analysis
  • More FFT Topics - Aliasing, Windows and Resolutions
  • The FFT as a Precise Amplitude and Phase Maker
  • An Examination of a Signal Resolution in an FFT Analyzer
  • The FFT Response to Mechanical Generated Signals
  • Modulation
  • Single and Dual Channel Measurements
  • Multi-Channel Analysis
  • Data Display and Analysis
  • Resonance and Critical Speed Testing
  • Machinery Forcing
  • Measurement of Operating Deflection Shapes (ODS)
  • Phase measurements and phase analysis
  • Introduction to Modal Testing
  • Case Histories
  • Structural and Machinery Modeling
  • Transfer Functions and Frequency Response Functions
  • Vibration Isolation Case Histories
Download Detailed Course Brochure »

   In-House Training


RITEC is pleased to offer any of its training courses as in-house courses for requesting customers. We offer a blend of our standard courses, as well as customized training programs in Condition Monitoring and Machinery Vibration Analysis, to fit our customer's needs.

All in-house courses are to be held at Customer site for about 15 engineers or technicians. It is understood that Customer shall provide transportation (Business Class travel) to and from site, and accommodation on-site for instructors.

All our courses are offered as Vibration Institute courses. The course certificates are issued from the Vibration Institute, the training materials are all from the Vibration Institute, and even the course transparencies are mostly from the Vibration Institute. This assures the quality of the course as conforming to the international level of training. In addition, the course instructors are Certified Vibration Specialists, which ensures practical knowledge of the art and science of vibration analysis.

The courses will be taught by a group of instructors led by Dr. Aly El-Shafei, Professor at Cairo University and General Manager of RITEC. In addition to being Professor at Cairo University, Dr. Aly El-Shafei is also a consultant to industry, and has cooperated with such companies as General Electric (USA), Assix International (USA), Mannesmann Demag (Germany), MTU (Germany), SUCO, BAPETCO and AOI (Egypt). In addition, Dr. El-Shafei is involved in several local and international research projects. He has published many technical papers in the vibration field, and holds two patents to his name. Dr. El-Shafei holds a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of ASME, Tau Beta Pi, and Sigma Xi, and is a Certified Vibration Analyst - Category IV.





   ISO-18436 ANSI-Accredited Certification Program


As is generally known, all specialized trades that can affect a company’s safety and performance are Certified, e.g. welders and inspectors.

Recently, there has been a worldwide trend towards Certifying Vibration Specialists. This move started in the United States, and was pioneered by several Chemical Processing and Oil Companies requesting the certification of their Vibration Specialists to assure their competence in the field, with expected rewards to the company performance and safety record.

The Vibration Institute has established a world-wide Certification program in accordance with ISO 18346 where four categories of Vibration Analysts are currently recognized:

Vibration Analyst – Category I
Vibration Analyst – Category II
Vibration Analyst – Category III
Vibration Analyst – Category IV


RITEC is pleased to announce that the Vibration Institute Certification exams are conducted regularly in: Cairo, KSA, & UAE area each year.

• The exams are prepared and corrected at the Vibration Institute, USA.

• All Analyst Certificates are issued from the Vibration Institute.

Vibration Institute Certification Examination Fees for the Middle East
ISO Category 1* ISO Category 2* ISO Category 3* ISO Category 4*
Exam Fees $ 350 $ 400 $ 450 $ 500
Service Fees $ 290 $ 300 $ 310 $ 320
Total $ 640** $ 700** $ 760** $ 820**
* Special Complete Package Pricing for Training, Workshop, and Certification is Available.
** Value-Added Tax (VAT) to be added to the above prices.

Certification Requirements


The Process:

  • Meet the experience requirement
  • Meet the training requirement
  • Register for the 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 application
  • Take course and/or exam
  • Get your results, usually within 3 business weeks of exam
RITEC-Ansi-Final

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 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 Vibrations – CAT II
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 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


   Upcoming Training Courses and Certification Examination Sessions Schedule


Upcoming Vibration Institute ISO 18436 Courses Certification Examinations for CAT I-IV Training Venue
Machinery Vibration Analysis (MVA)
ISO CAT III
April 19th - 23rd 2026*
Cairo, Egypt 		Examination Session
CAT I-II-III-IV
April 25th 2026 		Dual
Classroom and Online
Rotordynamics & Balancing (RDB)
ISO CAT IV
May 18th - 21st 2026*
Cairo, Egypt

Click for more information

>> Contact Us 		Dual
Classroom and Online
Alignment
July 07th - 09th 2026*
Cairo, Egypt

Click for more information

>> Contact Us 		Dual
Classroom and Online
Introduction to Machinery Vibrations (IMV)
ISO CAT I
August 03th - 06th 2026*
Cairo, Egypt 		Examination Session
CAT I-II-III-IV
August 08th 2026 		Dual
Classroom and Online
Basic Machinery Vibrations (BMV)
ISO CAT II
September 20th - 24th 2026*
Cairo, Egypt 		Examination Session
CAT I-II-III-IV
September 26th 2026 		Dual
Classroom and Online
Machinery Vibration Analysis (MVA)
ISO CAT III
October 18th - 22nd 2026*
Cairo, Egypt 		Examination Session
CAT I-II-III-IV
October 24th 2026 		Dual
Classroom and Online
Structural and Machinery Vibration (SMV)
ISO CAT IV
November 14th - 17th 2026*
Cairo, Egypt

Click for more information

>> Contact Us 		Dual
Classroom and Online

[View Vibration Institute Training Schedule Here]
* Certification Examinations are conducted following each course for CAT I-IV at each examination session

Discover Training Courses Mode




Download RITEC Training Program 2025 »