About the PADI Staff Instructor

A PADI Staff Instructor is an experienced instructor who supports a PADI Course Director in training new instructors. At a Career Development Centre, Staff Instructors help run Instructor Development Courses as well as teaching their own students.

The route is typically through Specialty Instructor ratings, the Master Scuba Diver Trainer rating and Emergency First Response Instructor status, followed by IDC Staff Instructor training alongside a Course Director.

What you will learn in the PADI Staff Instructor

How instructor-level courses are structured and delivered
Training and certifying Assistant Instructors
Presenting parts of an IDC under a Course Director's guidance
Assessing candidates' knowledge and teaching presentations
Counselling and remedial coaching for instructor candidates
Evaluating confined water and open water teaching
Supporting EFR and instructor-level education programmes
Applying the PADI System and standards in full

What you actually do: theory, pool and open water

Theory (knowledge development)	You study the instructor-level materials, the Course Director Manual and standards, and learn how to assess and coach candidates.
Pool / confined water	You evaluate and coach candidates' confined water teaching presentations and skill demonstrations.
Open water	You assess open water teaching and supervision, developing the evaluation skills that are used on IDCs.
Internship	You audit an IDC alongside a Course Director as part of IDC Staff Instructor training.

Requirements and minimum age

Open Water Scuba Instructor in good standing, Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) status and Emergency First Response Instructor status, plus a commitment to using the PADI System and its components in full. Confirm current requirements and any experience minimums with Scubaversity.

Minimum age: 18 (as an instructor)

How long does the PADI Staff Instructor take?

Typically around two weeks, including auditing an Instructor Development Course plus a short preparation period. Confirm timing with Scubaversity.

What you can do after the PADI Staff Instructor

Teach and certify Assistant Instructors independently
Run IDC segments when the Course Director is on site
Assess candidates, and counsel and coach those needing extra support
Help deliver EFR and instructor-level programmes at your centre
Move toward senior roles such as Course Director candidate

Who is this course for?

Experienced instructors who enjoy developing others and want to take on a senior teaching and mentoring role in a Career Development Centre.

The IDC Staff Instructor course at Scubaversity

We run the PADI IDC Staff Instructor Course for instructors who are ready to help train new professionals. Contact us to find out how it fits your experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a new instructor become a Staff Instructor?

After becoming an Open Water Scuba Instructor you add Specialty Instructor ratings, earn the MSDT rating and EFR Instructor status, then complete IDC Staff Instructor training alongside a Course Director.

What does a Staff Instructor do day to day?

They teach their own students and support the Course Director on Instructor Development Courses, as well as help with EFR training and coaching instructor candidates.

PADI Staff Instructors