CLS Recertification

You have invested a lot of time and money to become a "Certified Lubrication Specialist".

Then you are one of about 1500 lubrication experts worldwide who do not only take care of lubricants, but also the application and therefore the client itself.

Your expert knowledge shall stay up-to-date on a long term basis – therefore the vailidity of your CLS certificate is restricted for only 3 years.

The good news is that you do not have to take a written examination again if you fulfil at least four of the following 12 conditions and provide written proof of this to the STLE before the 3-year period expires.

A recertification fee must be paid to the STLE. This is $185 for STLE members and $350 for non-members (as of June 2024).

Alternatively, you can, of course, also retake the CLS exam.

If you want to renew your certification, please apply for it directly at the STLE Website.

If you keep an eye on points 1, 2, 5, 7 and 12 in particular, which are easy to fulfil, you will find it easy to recertify!

STLE Recertification Requirements

Individuals must satisfy at least 4 of 12 requirements by providing documentation for each and pay a renewal fee. These are:

A letter from the employer confirming continued employment in the area of certification.
Two other individuals with the same current certification provide a letter of continued employment in their area of certification.
Provide evidence of 4.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from courses relevant to their certification area (this would require certificates stating that CEUs from accredited institutions are not the same as STLE ECs earned from webinars, etc.). - See #12).
Proof of attendance or virtual attendance at six (6) STLE Chapter meetings.
Proof of attendance and certification in one (1) continuing education course organised by a third party company or a continuing education seminar organised by the employer.
OilDoc seminars and OilDoc online training courses (min. 8 modules) are accepted by STLE!
Proof of reading six (6) relevant technical articles published in recognised technical publications (e.g. bibliography with title, publication and date of issue of the article; copy of the article from the publication).
Provide evidence of attendance at one (1) annual meeting or conference with programs relevant to their certification area, such as one of the following organisations: STLE, SME, SAE, NLGI, AISE, NPRA or SMRP. The OilDoc Conference & Exhibition is accepted by STLE!
Give one (1) presentation/lecture at a conference or seminar relevant to their certification area (must be technical in nature, those related to sales/marketing/business are not acceptable), e.g. at the OilDoc Conference & Exhibition.
Publish one (1) article or paper in publications relevant to their field of certification.
Have authored or co-authored one (1) book or significant chapter of a book relevant to their field of certification.
Provide evidence of active participation in technical committees, councils or working groups with programmes relevant to their field of certification.
Proof of participation in at least 8 hours of continuing education on lubrication, tribology, lubricant technology, e.g. online training from STLE or an STLE training partner.
OilDoc training courses are accepted by STLE!