Advertisement Sign In Becoming a PADI Professional START DIVEMASTER ALL PRO COURSES Home / Education / PADI Professional Become a PADI® Pro and Start Living Your Dream There are many reasons to become a divemaster or scuba instructor: to work and travel, to share your love of the underwater world with others, or simply for the personal challenge. Along the way, you’ll meet other adventurers like you and work with experienced instructors who will help you find the job of your dreams. Why Become a PADI Divemaster or Instructor? Career Opportunities PADI Divemasters and Instructors are in demand. With more than 6,500 PADI Dive Shops issuing one million certifications each year, you'll find job opportunities in every corner of the globe. The Best Training PADI’s Divemaster and Instructor training combine interactive learning materials, skill development workshops and real-world experience to ensure you’re prepared to be a dive leader. All you need is love for the underwater world and a desire to share that passion with others. Unparalleled Support Whether you choose to work for a dive shop or on your own, you’ll have a dedicated support team committed to your success. Find the scuba diving job of your dreams on PADI’s online employment board, consult with your local PADI representative on how to grow your business, and access free marketing tools and videos. How to Become a Divemaster or Instructor Divemaster is a prerequisite to becoming a scuba instructor. Before you can enroll in a PADI Divemaster course, you must be 18 years old and have the following certifications: Open Water Diver Advanced Open Water Diver Rescue Diver Emergency First Response (or equivalent CPR and First Aid training within 24 months) If you’re already a PADI Divemaster (or hold a leadership-level certification with another training agency), you can enroll in a PADI Instructor or Assistant Instructor course. Learn more about the PADI IDC (Instructor Development Course). LEARN MORE Your Scuba Career Starts Here 1 Divemaster Divemaster is the first step on the professional ladder. Through workshops and practical exercises, you’ll level-up your scuba skills and learn how to supervise and organize diving activities. Divemaster jobs include: assisting with classes, leading guided dives, and working on liveaboards. SEE COURSE INFO 2 Open Water Scuba Instructor The first PADI Instructor level is Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI). At this level, you can issue scuba certifications from Open Water to Divemaster and a few select specialty courses. 3 Specialty Instructor The ability to teach popular specialty courses such as Enriched Air Nitrox and Night Diver can increase the number of job opportunities available. New instructors may earn specialty instructor certifications by working with a PADI Course Director. 4 Master Scuba Diver Trainer All PADI Instructors who have certified at least 25 PADI Divers and have earned at least five PADI Specialty Instructor certifications qualify to be Master Scuba Diver Trainers (MSDTs). This level is a prerequisite to becoming a PADI IDC Staff Instructor. 5 IDC Staff Instructor Becoming an IDC Staff Instructor allows you to work with a PADI Course Director to assist them with instructor-level training. You will also be able to teach and certify PADI Assistant Instructors. PADI Divemaster - Find Out What It Takes Interested in diving like a pro or making diving your career? Find out what it takes to earn the world's most popular professional-level diver rating with this free Introduction to Divemaster program. TRY FOR FREE Join the Elite: Become a Course Director Experienced Master Instructors who have issued 150+ certifications, worked at a PADI Dive Center or Resort and assisted with several IDCs may apply to be instructor trainers - known as Course Directors. These elite instructors are the dive industry’s most respected role models. PROGRAM INFO Divemaster and Dive Instructor FAQs Your questions, answered What’s the difference between a divemaster and Master Scuba Diver? How long does it take to become a divemaster? How long does it take to become a scuba instructor? Essential Gear How much do divemasters/scuba instructors make? How do I find a scuba diving job? What tools do I get as a PADI Professional? Tips from the Pros Jumpstart your scuba career PADI Divemaster Internships Read interviews with PADI Divemasters What to Consider Before Taking Your PADI Instructor Development Course Important considerations before you enroll in an IDC Top 7 Jobs for Scuba Divers Career opportunities in scientific research, public safety and more SEE MORE SCUBA JOBS EMAIL UPDATES Get 10% off eLearning online! Sign up and get the latest updates, offers and more. SIGN UP (AND SAVE!) PADI SERVICES Find a Dive Center or Resort Replace Your Certification Card Get Dive Insurance Book a Scuba Vacation Buy Branded Merchandise Download the Mobile App INSIDE PADI INSIDE PADI keyboard_arrow_down CORPORATE INFORMATION CORPORATE INFORMATION keyboard_arrow_down PADI DIVE CENTER & RESORTS PADI DIVE CENTERS & RESORTS keyboard_arrow_down © PADI 2021 Privacy Policy Accessibility Copyright Forms Center Contact Cookie Preferences By using this site, you agree with our use of cookies. 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