PADI Course Director

This rating is the highest and most respected professional rating in recreational scuba diving. To become a Course Director, you must earn a spot in a Course Director Training Course (CDTC).

PADI Course Directors are PADI Master Instructors who have taken the next step and joined an elite group of instructor trainers. Course Directors teach PADI Instructor Development Courses (IDCs) and other instructor-level training, and thus are the scuba diving industry’s most influential leaders and role models. This rating is the highest and most respected professional rating in recreational scuba diving. To become a Course Director you must earn a spot in a Course Director Training Course (CDTC) through a competitive application process that examines your experience and training goals.

What the Course Entails

After your application is approved, you start your training by completing several online presentations, knowledge reviews and a Course Director-level exam on PADI Systems, Standards and Procedures.
The actual CDTC lasts nine days and consists of staff presentations about how to organize and promote instructor development, plus many hands-on workshops in class, confined water and open water with a focus on evaluation training, professional development and counselling techniques.

Course Duration: 1 Days

Course Pre-requisites

PADI Master Instructor.
Staffed two complete IDCs after IDC Staff Instructor certification
Emergency First Response Instructor Trainer
250 logged dives
PADI Dive Centre or Resort work experience
Met other requirements as listed on the current application

Course Flow

PADI Master Instructors who have solid teaching experience and have assisted with several IDCs may be ready to apply. You also need to be an EFR Instructor Trainer, have at least 250 logged dives, have PADI Dive Center or Resort work experience and meet other requirements as listed on the most current CDTC application available for download from the PADI Pros' Site.

How Can I Get Started?

Visit your local PADI Five Star Instructor Development Center or Resort

What is the next adventure?

Divemaster
Assistant Instructor
Open Water Scuba Instructor
Speciality Instructor