ICML MLA I Certification Exam
2026/2027 Latest Verified Certification Review | 500 Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Exam Overview
The ICML Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA I) certification is administered by the
International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) and is aligned with the ISO 18436-4
Category I standard. This certification verifies that technicians practicing in machinery
lubrication, as applied to machinery condition monitoring and maintenance, are qualified to
perform essential lubrication tasks .
Exam Details:
| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Exam Format | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Prerequisites | 12 months experience + 24 hours documented training |
| Standard Alignment | ISO 18436-4, Category I, Annex A |
Certification Requirements:
- Education/Experience: Minimum 12 months experience in lubricant-analysis-based
machinery condition monitoring (based on 16 hours minimum per month)
- Training: 24 hours of documented formal training as outlined in the MLA I Body of
Knowledge
Common Job Titles for MLA I Certified Individuals:
,Lubrication Technician, PM Technician, Millwright, Mechanic
Core Domains and Weighting:
| Domain | Weight |
|--------|--------|
| I. Maintenance Strategy | 10% |
| II. Lubrication Theory/Fundamentals | 18% |
| III. Lubricant Selection | 10% |
| IV. Lubricant Application | 18% |
| V. Lubricant Storage and Management | 10% |
| VI. Lubricant Condition Control | 10% |
| VII. Oil Sampling | 10% |
| VIII. Lubricant Health Monitoring | 10% |
| IX. Wear Debris Monitoring and Analysis | 4% |
---
Table of Contents
1. Domain I: Maintenance Strategy (50 Questions)
2. Domain II: Lubrication Theory/Fundamentals (90 Questions)
3. Domain III: Lubricant Selection (50 Questions)
4. Domain IV: Lubricant Application (90 Questions)
5. Domain V: Lubricant Storage and Management (50 Questions)
6. Domain VI: Lubricant Condition Control (50 Questions)
,7. Domain VII: Oil Sampling (50 Questions)
8. Domain VIII: Lubricant Health Monitoring (50 Questions)
9. Domain IX: Wear Debris Monitoring and Analysis (20 Questions)
---
Domain I: Maintenance Strategy
(50 Questions)
Question 1
Which maintenance strategy involves replacing or repairing equipment only after it fails?
A) Preventive maintenance
B) Predictive maintenance
C) Run-to-failure
D) Total productive maintenance
Correct Answer: C) Run-to-failure
Rationale: Run-to-failure (also called reactive maintenance) is the strategy where equipment
is operated until it breaks down and then repaired or replaced. This approach is appropriate
for non-critical, inexpensive equipment where failure consequences are minimal .
---
Question 2
Which maintenance strategy schedules interventions at regular intervals regardless of
equipment condition?
, A) Preventive maintenance
B) Predictive maintenance
C) Run-to-failure
D) Total productive maintenance
Correct Answer: A) Preventive maintenance
Rationale: Preventive maintenance is time-based or usage-based, with tasks performed at
predetermined intervals regardless of the equipment's actual condition. This approach can
lead to unnecessary maintenance if the equipment is still in good condition .
---
Question 3
What percentage of machine failures are attributed to lubrication-related issues?
A) Less than 10%
B) Approximately 25%
C) More than 50%
D) Nearly 90%
Correct Answer: C) More than 50%
Rationale: Industry studies indicate that more than half of all premature machine failures
have lubrication as a primary or contributing cause. This statistic underscores the critical
importance of effective lubrication programs in maintenance strategy .
---
2026/2027 Latest Verified Certification Review | 500 Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales
Exam Overview
The ICML Machine Lubricant Analyst (MLA I) certification is administered by the
International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) and is aligned with the ISO 18436-4
Category I standard. This certification verifies that technicians practicing in machinery
lubrication, as applied to machinery condition monitoring and maintenance, are qualified to
perform essential lubrication tasks .
Exam Details:
| Feature | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| Exam Format | 100 multiple-choice questions |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Passing Score | 70% |
| Prerequisites | 12 months experience + 24 hours documented training |
| Standard Alignment | ISO 18436-4, Category I, Annex A |
Certification Requirements:
- Education/Experience: Minimum 12 months experience in lubricant-analysis-based
machinery condition monitoring (based on 16 hours minimum per month)
- Training: 24 hours of documented formal training as outlined in the MLA I Body of
Knowledge
Common Job Titles for MLA I Certified Individuals:
,Lubrication Technician, PM Technician, Millwright, Mechanic
Core Domains and Weighting:
| Domain | Weight |
|--------|--------|
| I. Maintenance Strategy | 10% |
| II. Lubrication Theory/Fundamentals | 18% |
| III. Lubricant Selection | 10% |
| IV. Lubricant Application | 18% |
| V. Lubricant Storage and Management | 10% |
| VI. Lubricant Condition Control | 10% |
| VII. Oil Sampling | 10% |
| VIII. Lubricant Health Monitoring | 10% |
| IX. Wear Debris Monitoring and Analysis | 4% |
---
Table of Contents
1. Domain I: Maintenance Strategy (50 Questions)
2. Domain II: Lubrication Theory/Fundamentals (90 Questions)
3. Domain III: Lubricant Selection (50 Questions)
4. Domain IV: Lubricant Application (90 Questions)
5. Domain V: Lubricant Storage and Management (50 Questions)
6. Domain VI: Lubricant Condition Control (50 Questions)
,7. Domain VII: Oil Sampling (50 Questions)
8. Domain VIII: Lubricant Health Monitoring (50 Questions)
9. Domain IX: Wear Debris Monitoring and Analysis (20 Questions)
---
Domain I: Maintenance Strategy
(50 Questions)
Question 1
Which maintenance strategy involves replacing or repairing equipment only after it fails?
A) Preventive maintenance
B) Predictive maintenance
C) Run-to-failure
D) Total productive maintenance
Correct Answer: C) Run-to-failure
Rationale: Run-to-failure (also called reactive maintenance) is the strategy where equipment
is operated until it breaks down and then repaired or replaced. This approach is appropriate
for non-critical, inexpensive equipment where failure consequences are minimal .
---
Question 2
Which maintenance strategy schedules interventions at regular intervals regardless of
equipment condition?
, A) Preventive maintenance
B) Predictive maintenance
C) Run-to-failure
D) Total productive maintenance
Correct Answer: A) Preventive maintenance
Rationale: Preventive maintenance is time-based or usage-based, with tasks performed at
predetermined intervals regardless of the equipment's actual condition. This approach can
lead to unnecessary maintenance if the equipment is still in good condition .
---
Question 3
What percentage of machine failures are attributed to lubrication-related issues?
A) Less than 10%
B) Approximately 25%
C) More than 50%
D) Nearly 90%
Correct Answer: C) More than 50%
Rationale: Industry studies indicate that more than half of all premature machine failures
have lubrication as a primary or contributing cause. This statistic underscores the critical
importance of effective lubrication programs in maintenance strategy .
---
