PADI Specialty Instructor

There are several PADI-standardized specialty courses that PADI Specialty Instructors can conduct, supported by specialty course outlines for instructors and various materials for student divers. Instructors can also develop their own distinctive specialty courses, which they can offer as PADI courses after PADI approval.

PADI Instructors qualify as PADI Specialty Instructors either by attending a Specialty Instructor training course with a PADI Course Director or by applying directly to PADI.

Participation in a Specialty Instructor Training Course is strongly recommended but not required. This is the best path to qualification as a Specialty Instructor. Such courses offer valuable, practical training, demonstrations of techniques, information on marketing the specific specialty, current information on PADI standards, and, where appropriate, instructor-level open water training.

PADI Course Directors in teaching status who are also PADI Specialty Instructor Trainers can conduct Specialty Instructor training courses. Upon completion of a PADI Specialty Instructor training course, the instructor submits a completed application form signed by the Course Director who conducted the training to their PADI Office, along with the required passport-sized photo, the application fee, and proof of 10 dives in the applicable specialty (for rebreather specialty courses, proof of 20 dives in that specialty is required). These 10 dives can be completed before or after attending a Specialty Instructor training course, but must be completed before submitting the Specialty Instructor application to PADI.