Are You Ready for the SSI ITC?
Check the certifications, experience, medical documents and professional preparation required before beginning your SSI Instructor Training Course.
Get everything ready before your course begins
Meeting the SSI ITC prerequisites before arriving means you can focus fully on developing your teaching, presentation and student-management skills during the course.
If you trained through another recognised diving organisation, that does not normally prevent you from joining. Ocean Tribe can review your qualifications and confirm whether they meet SSI’s entry requirements.
Send the training team your certification history, number of logged dives and current medical information if you are unsure about your eligibility.
A quick eligibility check
You will need the correct professional certification, experience, specialty background, emergency training, medical clearance and supporting documentation.
If one item is missing, speak to Ocean Tribe. In many cases, the required training or experience can be completed before the ITC begins.
SSI ITC prerequisites
Candidates must meet the applicable SSI training standards and provide evidence of their certifications, experience and fitness to dive.
Minimum age
You must be at least 18 years old when entering the Instructor Training Course.
Professional certification
Hold an SSI Divemaster certification, or an eligible leadership-level or instructor-member certification in good standing from another recognised training organisation.
Logged dives
Have at least 100 logged open-water dives, with your dive history available for review.
Specialty experience
Provide documented experience in night diving, deep diving and underwater navigation.
Enriched Air Nitrox
Hold a recognised Enriched Air Nitrox certification before beginning the ITC.
CPR and First Aid
Hold recognised CPR and First Aid training completed within the previous 24 months.
Medical clearance
Submit a physician-signed medical clearance completed within the previous 12 months, with no subsequent change in your medical condition.
Certification history
You must have been a certified diver for at least six months.
Your logged dives should show variety
The number of dives is important, but an instructor candidate also needs experience across different conditions and training environments.
Deep diving experience documented in your dive log.
Night or limited-visibility diving experience documented in your dive log.
Underwater navigation experience using natural and compass navigation.
A complete and reviewable logbook, whether digital or paper based.
Documents to prepare
Gather everything before travelling so certification checks do not delay your training or Instructor Evaluation.
Your SSI professional profile or equivalent professional certification details.
Documentation for any non-SSI entry-level, advanced, rescue and leadership-level certifications.
Evidence of your Enriched Air Nitrox certification.
A current CPR and First Aid certificate completed within the previous 24 months.
Your completed and physician-signed diver medical clearance from within the previous 12 months.
Your dive log showing at least 100 dives and experience in deep, night and navigation diving.
Any additional documents requested by SSI or Ocean Tribe following review of your professional training history.
Your qualifications may still be accepted
Leadership-level and instructor candidates from recognised recreational diver training organisations may be eligible to enter the SSI instructor pathway.
Send your training history
Qualification names and structures vary between organisations. Ocean Tribe will review your certifications and professional status to confirm the appropriate SSI route.
Depending on your existing qualification, you may need an orientation, crossover process or additional training before certification.
Ask About Your EligibilityMeet the requirements? Start your instructor journey.
If your certifications, logged dives and documents are ready, choose your course dates and begin preparing for professional instructor training in Diani.
