Go Pro
Instructor training at Diver's Depot
Divemaster to Instructor with full-time PADI Course Directors — thousands of PADI Instructors trained since 1974
Professional-level programs, instructor continuing education, IDC and IE dates, and PSI-PCI cylinder inspection training for dive stores, fire departments and hydrotesters.
The path, in order
Divemaster
Your first professional rating. Lead certified divers, assist with classes and inspire others. Prerequisites: 18+, Rescue Diver, EFR within 24 months, 40 logged dives, a physician-signed medical within 12 months.
Divemaster →Assistant Instructor
Part one of the Instructor Development Curriculum — teach portions of diver training with an instructor and prepare for the IE.
Assistant Instructor →Open Water Scuba Instructor (IDC)
Part two of the IDC, preparing you for the Instructor Examination. Together the two parts emphasise teaching skills in a low-stress environment.
IDC →Professional programs
Every program below is taught by our PADI Course Directors. Pricing and deposits are in the table further down; call the store for IDC dates and IE locations.
PADI Divemaster
Your first professional rating — lead certified divers, assist with training and get paid to dive.
PADI Assistant Instructor
Part one of the Instructor Development Course — start teaching portions of diver training under an instructor.
PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)
Assistant Instructor plus Open Water Scuba Instructor — the full IDC with a PADI Course Director, ready for the Instructor Examination.
PADI IDC Staff Instructor
Help train the next generation of PADI Instructors — in-depth knowledge of the instructor development process.
Emergency First Response Instructor
Teach CPR, AED and first aid — a one-day instructor program that pairs naturally with an IDC.
PADI Specialty Instructor
Add the specialties you love to your teaching status — practical training from our Course Directors, one specialty at a time.
PSI-PCI Visual Cylinder Inspection
High-pressure cylinder safety training for dive stores, fire departments and hydrotesters — become a certified visual inspector.
Regulator Repair Technician & Equipment Specialty Instructor
A hands-on Oceanic regulator repair clinic that also earns the PADI Equipment Specialty Instructor rating.
Diver's Depot IDC / IE facts
Sally and E.K. Sowell, PADI Course Directors, have conducted Instructor Development Courses on Utila Island, Grand Cayman, Belize and throughout the Ark-La-Tex each year. In Nacogdoches, home of Diver's Depot (PADI 5 Star CDC), we have a full-service classroom annex. We have dorms at our location and provide free accommodations for most educational programs hosted in Nacogdoches.
You must be either a PADI Divemaster, PADI Assistant Instructor, or instructor of another certification agency to attend the IDC. Leadership-level certified divers of other agencies are allowed to attend the first part of the IDC, which will earn you a PADI Assistant Instructor certification. You must have 60 logged dives and be certified for six months to attend the IDC and IE. You are processed as a PADI AI until you log 100 dives. The IDC is conducted in a casual format meeting daily for extended periods.
The cost for the IDC is $1,699 US and payable to PADI. The IE is $835 US plus $225 US for a one-time IDC New Instructor registration fee. Private IDC $5,000; semi-private (max two students) $3,500 each.
Pricing and deposits
Program price, with the deposit that holds your place. PADI fees, IE fees and materials paid to PADI are listed separately.
Instructor Development Course — $1,699
Deposit $500. Assistant Instructor plus Open Water Scuba Instructor together.
IDC →Emergency First Response Instructor — $150
One day, taught the Monday immediately following an IDC/IE. Class fee $100 plus $146 PADI fee when taken with the EFR course ($432 total payable to Diver's Depot).
EFR Instructor →Emergency Oxygen Provider & Instructor — $150
One evening: recognise diving illness treatable by oxygen, set up the equipment and administer it.
O2 Provider →High Pressure Cylinder Inspection (PSI-PCI) — $350
Deposit $150. Eight-hour visual inspection course with textbooks included; a must for anyone who fills or inspects tanks.
PSI-PCI →Regulator Repair Technician & Equipment Specialty Instructor — $295
Hands-on Oceanic regulator clinic, often run alongside the PSI program. Materials and instructor processing fees included.
Repair Technician →Specialty Instructor — $150 each
Practical experience conducting the specialty courses that interest you and your students.
Specialty Instructor →Status update — $500
For instructors returning to teaching status.
IDC and IE questions
When are the IDC and IE?
PADI schedules Instructor Examinations regionally and Diver's Depot runs the IDC to finish just before one. Call (936) 564-3483 for the next dates and locations.
What does the price include?
Classroom training or eLearning, instructor fees, crew pack and certification card. Dive site entry fees, a full scuba set-up and PADI application/IE fees are paid separately.
Is there somewhere to stay?
Yes — we have dorm-style accommodation at the store and provide free accommodation for most educational programs hosted in Nacogdoches.
Can you host a PSI-PCI program at my location?
Yes — programs run for dive stores, fire departments and hydrotesters. Contact E.K. Sowell at 936-552-4207.
Ready to go pro?
Tell us your current certification and dive count and we will map the route from there.
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