Why the Level 1 Certification Is the First Step in Your Ultrasound Journey

Every journey begins with a single step, and in predictive maintenance, that first step is often about learning to hear what machines are trying to tell us. And that’s exactly what SDT’s Level 1 Certification training delivers.

Whether you’re a seasoned technician or just beginning your maintenance career, this training is the key that opens the door to smarter inspections, deeper insights, and greater control over your plant’s reliability.

A foundation for reliability excellence

Ultrasound is one of the most versatile condition monitoring tools available today. It lets you detect compressed air leaks, inspect bearings and motors, evaluate steam traps and valves, and even identify dangerous electrical discharges, all with a single instrument.

But using that tool effectively requires more than just turning it on.

The Level 1 course lays the foundation of knowledge that every ultrasound inspector needs to make confident, repeatable decisions. You’ll learn about the physics of sound, how to distinguish between different fault signatures, and how to interpret dB levels, FFTs, and time waveforms in practical ways.

The result? You won’t just hear a problem, you’ll understand what it means and know what to do next.

Practical skills for real-world inspections

What makes SDT’s certification stand out is its balance of theory and hands-on practice. Over two and a half days, participants not only study sound principles, but they also go out and perform real inspections. They learn how to detect leaks, monitor rotating machinery, listen to steam traps, and identify electrical anomalies — all under expert guidance.

It’s not a passive classroom experience. It’s an active skill-building process, and it’s designed to prepare you for what you’ll face in the field, from day one.

Students leave the course not just with a certificate, but with a new set of capabilities, and often a sense of excitement at what they can now accomplish.

A global standard of competency

SDT’s Level 1 certification follows the ASNT standard, which means it is recognized around the world as a baseline qualification for ultrasound inspectors. Whether you’re looking to boost your career, standardize your team’s knowledge, or validate your expertise for your customers, this certification has weight.

It’s also an excellent stepping stone. For those looking to advance further, Level 1 opens the path to Level 2 certification, deeper specialization, and ultimately becoming a true leader in condition monitoring.

Many of our top ultrasound ambassadors and instructors started exactly here, in a Level 1 classroom, learning how to listen to machines for the very first time.

Join a growing community

Ultrasound inspection is no longer a niche skill. Across industries, from food & beverage to energy, from mining to pharmaceuticals, companies are realizing the power of sound-based reliability.

When you take the Level 1 course, you’re joining a global community of inspectors, technicians, engineers, and asset managers who are reshaping the way maintenance is done. You’ll gain access to shared knowledge, peer insights, and the confidence that comes from knowing you’re part of a movement toward smarter, safer, and more sustainable industrial practices.

So… are you ready to begin?

If you’re looking for a course that teaches not just the how, but the why, that gives you both knowledge and real-world skills, and that sets you on a long-term journey of professional growth, then SDT’s Level 1 Certification is your ideal first step.