Teach more. Grow further. Get recognised.
Build your professional qualifications, earn lifetime Experience Points and receive Pro Rewards for the SSI certifications you issue.
A professional system that rewards experience
SSI recognises professionals in two complementary ways: professional ratings show what you are qualified to teach, while Experience Points demonstrate the volume of training and certifications you have completed.
At the same time, SSI Pro Rewards provides a cashback-style benefit for eligible certifications issued through the MySSI system. Your professional activity can help reduce future training-material or renewal costs.
Professional ratings, Experience Points and Pro Rewards are connected, but they are not the same thing. This page explains how each part fits into your SSI career.
Qualifications and experience work together
What are you qualified to teach?
Professional ratings are achieved through a combination of training, instructor qualifications, logged dives and teaching experience.
- Open Water Instructor
- Specialty Instructor qualifications
- Divemaster Instructor recognition
- Assistant Instructor Trainer
- Master Instructor
How much experience have you built?
Experience Points accumulate as you receive professional ratings and issue SSI certifications.
- XP is tracked through MySSI
- XP accumulates throughout your professional lifetime
- XP does not have a cash value
- Recognition cards are issued at qualifying milestones
- Your level demonstrates teaching activity and experience
Build qualifications, experience and influence
Continue your education while gaining experience training divers at progressively higher levels.
Open Water Instructor
Begin teaching independentlyComplete the SSI Instructor Training Course and Instructor Evaluation to begin teaching core recreational scuba programs.
Specialty Instructor
Expand what you can teachAdd instructor qualifications in areas such as Deep Diving, Navigation, Night Diving and other specialties.
Divemaster Instructor
Train future dive leadersDemonstrate the instructor qualifications and teaching experience needed to prepare divers for the professional pathway.
Master Instructor
Professional leadership recognitionCombine Assistant Instructor Trainer status with extensive logged dives and a substantial record of diver certifications.
Required instructor qualifications
Hold the relevant SSI instructor ratings with no equivalent certifications substituted.
Teaching experience
Issue at least 25 certifications from any recreational scuba program.
Entry-level program equivalents
Completed Try Scuba, Basic Diver, Referral Diver and Scuba Diver programs may be applied toward qualifying Open Water Diver certification requirements where permitted by current SSI standards.
Recognition built through leadership and experience
Master Instructor is a professional recognition for experienced SSI educators with extensive training and certification activity.
Get rewarded for the training you already deliver
SSI Professionals automatically earn Pro Reward points for eligible certifications, professional training and upgrades processed through MySSI.
- Rewards are tracked automatically through MySSI.
- Earn points when issuing eligible SSI certifications.
- Earn across recreational, specialty and professional training.
- Use rewards toward eligible SSI Professional Kits.
- Apply rewards toward professional renewal fees.
- New SSI Professionals may receive an enhanced first-year earning rate.
How high can you climb?
Experience Points accumulate throughout your professional career and unlock recognition cards at major milestones.
Experience Points have no cash value and accumulate separately from redeemable Pro Rewards. Qualifying recognition cards are issued through the professional’s MySSI profile.
Teach, certify, track and grow
Complete professional training
Build the instructor qualifications needed for the programs you want to teach.
Teach SSI programs
Deliver high-quality training through your affiliated SSI Training Centre.
Issue certifications
Process completed student certifications through the MySSI system.
Track your progress
Monitor Experience Points, Pro Rewards and professional recognition through your MySSI account.
SSI Pro Rewards FAQ
Are Pro Rewards and Experience Points the same?
No. Experience Points build lifetime professional recognition and do not have a cash value. Pro Rewards are redeemable benefits earned from eligible professional activity.
Do Experience Points expire?
SSI states that Experience Points accumulate throughout the professional’s lifetime and do not expire.
Where can I see my points and rewards?
Experience Points, recognition progress and Pro Rewards are tracked through the professional area of your MySSI account.
What can Pro Rewards be used for?
Eligible Pro Rewards can be redeemed toward SSI Professional Kits and may be applied toward professional renewal fees.
How do I become an Open Water Instructor?
Become an SSI Divemaster, complete the SSI Instructor Training Course and successfully pass the Instructor Evaluation.
Does Ocean Tribe offer professional upgrades?
Yes. Ocean Tribe offers professional training from Divemaster and Instructor Training through Specialty Instructor, Assistant Instructor Trainer and continuing-education pathways.
Can recognition requirements change?
Yes. SSI may update training standards, recognition titles, experience requirements and reward values. Your MySSI account and current SSI Training Standards provide the final applicable requirements.
Where could your SSI career take you next?
Speak with Ocean Tribe about instructor training, specialty qualifications, professional upgrades and your route toward higher SSI recognition.
