International Fluid Power Society (IFPS)
Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (IHM)
Credential: Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (IHM)
Credentialing Agency: International Fluid Power Society (IFPS)
Renewal Period: 5 years
The International Fluid Power Society (IFPS), Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (IHM) certification is for professionals in the fluid power and motion control industry who fabricate, assemble, test, maintain, and repair systems and components. IHMs understand hydraulic symbols, read system schematics, and are skilled in using hand tools, power tools, micrometers, and testing equipment. Candidates must pass both a written exam and a job performance exam.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (IHM)
Attainability: 
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience
- Education
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required.
To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
Exam Administration (View Details)
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
Renewal Period: 5 years
- Continuing Education
- Exam
- Continuing Education OR Exam
- Fee
- Other
International Fluid Power Society (IFPS)
1930 East Marlton Pike, Suite A2
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Phone: (800) 308-6005
Fax: (856) 424-9248
Email: Askus@ifps.org
The Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (IHM) credential has the following other requirements:
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Candidate must agree to adhere to the International Fluid Power Society Code of Ethics.
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Preventive Maintenance
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Add hydraulic fluid to the reservoir
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Check the condition of the hydraulic filtration system and the saturation level of the filter
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Change spin-on and cartridge type hydraulic filters
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Adjust hydraulic hoses and fittings for proper position and alignment
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Adjust the charge pressure on a bladder type accumulator
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Torque bolts on a circular pattern
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Fluid Filtration and Maintenance
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Draw a hydraulic pressure line sample using a sampling valve
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Examine hydraulic fluid for water and contaminants
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Transfer fluid through a portable filtration unit
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Label a fluid sample for laboratory analysis
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Prepare a hydraulic fluid sample container in the field
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Convert a petroleum-based system to a high water content fluid (HWCF) system
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Draw a hydraulic fluid sample from the reservoir
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Assemble Components
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Assemble a hydraulic fixed displacement unbalanced gear pump
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Assemble a hydraulic balanced-piston pressure relief valve
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Assemble a three-position, four-way, solenoid operated directional control valve
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Make a hydraulic hose assembly with permanent ends
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Make a hydraulic hose assembly with reusable ends
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Make a flared hydraulic tubing assembly
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Field Repairs
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Check a hydraulic valve spool for an obstruction
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Adjust a balanced piston hydraulic pressure reducing valve
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Adjust a balanced piston pressure relief valve
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Replace the shaft seal in a vane pump
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Drain and recharge a piston accumulator
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Set the pressure on a hi-low double pump
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Major Repairs
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Overhaul a pressure balanced, fixed displacement vane pump
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Install a rebuild kit in a fixed displacement, axial piston, swash plate pump
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Overhaul a hand operated hydraulic jack
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Overhaul a double-acting industrial cylinder
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Minor Repairs
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Replace an O-ring on a straight thread fitting
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Replace a directional control valve solenoid
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Seal a hydraulic pipe fitting with sealing tape
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Maintain a hydraulic reservoir
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Replace Components and Fluids
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Drain, flush, and replace hydraulic fluid
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Replace a hydraulic pump and align the coupling
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Determine specifications from a component code breakdown
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Replace a hydraulic V-packing
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Replace a pipe system with a custom made tube assembly
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Replace a pressure gauge
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Identify components from a circuit diagram
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Replace and align a foot mounted hydraulic cylinder
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Replace a hydropneumatic accumulator bladder
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Troubleshooting
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Determine why a cylinder fails to move the load when the directional control valve is shifted
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Check a cylinder piston for bypass leakage
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Check a hydraulic pump or motor for bypass leakage
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Determine the cause of erratic pressure, low pressure, or high pressure in a balanced piston pressure relief valve
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Isolate solenoid control valve failures
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Verify that hydraulic lines meet size requirements
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Distinguish between aeration and cavitation
- Station # 1 Identify Fluid Power Symbols:
- Identify 20 components by their symbolic representation on a schematic drawing. The schematic at this station will be either Mobile Hydraulic, Industrial Hydraulic, or Pneumatic depending upon your test. You will be required to give a written explanation for each component. This is not a multiple choice station.
- Station # 2 Identify Fasteners and Fittings:
- This station hasten ten fasteners and ten fittings that require identification as to type, size, length, thread, and grade. Each item has five multiple choice answers from which to choose.
- Station # 3 Use of Multimeter:
- This station is for testing the candidate in the use of a Multimeter. There are 14 questions for readings taken on a test circuit board. It is not multiple choice. The readings are for voltage, amperage, and resistance.
- Station # 4 Measure a Pump Piston and Spool:
- This station tests your ability to take measurements of a partthat range from 1/16” to .0001” and requires using scales, calipers, and micrometers. A pump piston and a hydraulic valve spool are used for the measurements. This is not a multiple choice station.
- Station # 5 Fluid Conductors:
- Requires identifying size, type, and pressure ratings of two steel tubes, two rubber hoses, one copper, and one nylon tube. Dial calipers and data sheets are provided to aid in this task. This station is not multiple choice.
- Station # 6 Tube Bend and Flare:
Bend and flare a tube assembly to fit a fixture testubg the skills of measuring, cutting, flaring, and assembly for compound bending to fit a fixture. All tubing, tools, and data sheets are provided.
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (IHM) examination:
An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the
Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.
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Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (IHM) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (IHM)
Renewal Period: 5 years
The Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (IHM) credential has the following recertification information:
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The IHM certification is renewed every five years by completing 15 professional development points (PDPs) and paying a recertification fee. Additional information can be found on the IFPS website.
Certification holders who hold the IFPS Industrial Hydraulic Mechanic (IHM), Mobile Hydraulic Mechanic (MHM), and Pneumatic Mechanic (PM) certifications earn the Fluid Power Master Mechanic (MM) designation. Navy COOL can provide funding for maintaining the Fluid Power Master Mechanic (MM) designation for eligible Sailors.
MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
This is an official U.S. Navy website
Updated: February 26, 2021
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MOST
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SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will most likely require additional education, training, or experience.
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This Credential has been approved for payment through the Navy's Credential Program Office. Note that to be eligible for Navy funded credentials, you must have demonstrated competency and experience towards the credential being sought. This credential may require additional work to fully meet competency and experience requirements.
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The federal occupations shown in this table are related to this credential in one of three ways: Most, Some, or Other.
MOST
This credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the federal occupation (at least 80%). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the federal occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This credential is related to this federal occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will most likely require additional education, training, or experience.
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