To enroll in the instructor course, you need:

1. A medical statement form, issued within the last 12 months.
2. A logbook with a minimum of 100 dives.
3. Certification at the following levels: Open Water Diver (OWD), Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD), Rescue Diver + Emergency First Response (EFR), and Divemaster leadership or equivalent.
4. Three passport-sized photos.
5. If you intend to participate in the EANx specialization instructor training, you'll need a certification in EANx diving. Please provide both the original and a copy.

1. PADI Divemaster or:

   • An instructor with a good reputation (with active status or eligible for membership renewal) from another recognized recreational diving training organization.*
   • A person with a leadership level certification, having a good reputation (with active status or eligible for membership renewal) from another recognized recreational diving training organization*, with 60 logged dives, documented experience in night, deep, and navigation diving.

2. Must be at least 18 years old.

3. A medical statement form, issued within the last 12 months, with no change in health status since that time.

4. Must be a certified diver for at least six months.

5. Completed the EFR Primary and Secondary Care course (or equivalent training) within the last 24 months. Note: To receive the Open Water Scuba Instructor certificate, the candidate must also have an Emergency First Response Instructor certificate (or equivalent).

6. If not a PADI Divemaster, you must pass the PADI Divemaster rescue skills assessment.

7. Provide documentation of basic, advanced, rescue, and leadership level certifications from another organization than PADI, as per requirements.

Upon registration for the course and payment for materials, you will receive access to the PADI Instructor Online Course and plastic cue cards.

Throughout your learning process, the Course Director will monitor progress and answer your questions. It's essential to review theoretical knowledge and refresh practical skills from previous courses such as OWD, AOWD, RESCUE, and DIVEMASTER. These basics are necessary for further training. Make sure you are familiar with the latest versions of PADI materials, especially if you used earlier versions as a student.

Practice the skill demonstrations you learned during the Divemaster course.

Download the PADI app, where you'll find instructions for tying the required knots.

Equipment needed during training:

Equipment according to the requirements outlined in the Instructor Manual. Ensure your equipment is recreational and in good working condition! If you lack the required equipment, there's an option to rent it according to the diving center's price list.

Don't forget about:

• Waterproof watch with a second hand
• Compass
• Two surface signaling devices – one audible (whistle, horn, etc.) and one visual (surface marker buoy, flare, signaling mirror, etc.)
• CPR mask
• Calculator
• Laptop/tablet
• Notebook + pen
• Underwater slate
• Tanks, weights, and tank filling are included in the course price.

Successful completion of the Open Water Scuba Instructor course enables the candidate to participate in the Instructor Examination (IE).

The training lasts approximately 11-13 days depending on the location.

The examination spans two days.

During the course, one day is dedicated to Instructor-level training in Emergency First Response (EFR), which is required to obtain the OWSI certificate.

Specialty instructor courses take place at the end of the training, just before the instructor examination.

All required training materials for this course, along with many additional resources, will be provided upon registration. Most of the materials are in the form of e-learning.

In addition to the materials provided for the OWSI course, you will also need textbooks and materials you received for previous courses such as OWD, AOWD, and Divemaster. If you completed these courses with a different organization, you will need to obtain those materials to use during the training. They will also be necessary for conducting training sessions after you receive your PADI Instructor status.

Below is a list of all the necessary training materials:

• PADI Instructor Manual 
• PADI’s Guide to Teaching
• Course Director Manual
• IDC eLearning
• PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy, Coral Reef Conservation and Project AWARE
• Specialty Course Instructor Guides
• PADI Open Water Diver Manual or eLearning
• Recreational Dive Planner – RDP Table and eRDPml, including Instructions for Use booklets
• PADI Skill Practice and Dive Planning Slate
• Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exam booklet
• PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Manual or eLearning
• PADI Rescue Diver Manual or eLearning
• Rescue Diver Final Exams booklet
• PADI Divemaster Manual or eLearning
• Divemaster Final Exams booklet
• Aquatic Cue Cards for Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, Divemaster and Discover Scuba Diving
• Skill Development Preparation slate
• The Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving
• Diving Knowledge Workbook or eRecord for Dive Theory Online (eLearning)
•  

Recommended

• All PADI diver videos
• PADI Specialty Diver manuals or eLearning
• Open Water Diver Course Prescriptive Lesson Guides
• Rescue Diver Course Prescriptive Lesson Guides
• Divemaster Course Lesson Guides
• Discover Scuba Diving Participant Guide
• Skill Evaluation Slate
• PADI Pro log book
• PADI ReActivate eLearning
• PADI Freediver eLearning
• PADI TecRec course materials

The total cost of the training, including the examination and issuance of the Instructor license, consists of several fees:

1. Fee for the Open Water Scuba Instructor Course – payable directly to the diving center or Course Director. (Dependent on the chosen location, Check: GDYNIA/DAHAB)

2. Cost of training materials (see below section).

3. Fees and taxes: examination, certificate issuance, applications – payable directly to PADI. (See additional fees section) The examination fee is collected no later than two weeks before the examination.

4. Costs associated with accommodation, meals, rental of missing equipment, and others. (More info in the description of the specific location GDYNIA/DAHAB)

*The net price should be increased by the VAT tax of the candidate's country of residence. In the case of an examination in Egypt, the VAT rate for the examination is 0%.

The instructor examination lasts for two days and consists of:

1. A theoretical knowledge assessment (physics, physiology, equipment, environment, RDP) - 60 questions, 1.5 hours
2. Examination on knowledge of PADI standards and procedures - 50 questions, 1.5 hours
3. Presentation of a theoretical lecture on a randomly selected topic
4. Assessment of teaching skills in pool waters and demonstration of skills
5. Presentation of teaching in open water
6. Presentation of rescue skills in open water

IE exams are standardized, and assessments are made using objective criteria controlled by PADI Regional Offices and PADI Examiners. Candidates who pass the IE exam will receive a PADI Instructor certification provided they have met all other requirements listed in the Candidate Statement of Understanding of IE procedures.

The exam is conducted by an independent PADI Examiner. In the case of a non-native examiner, the cost of translation of conversations/presentations and discussions is included in the training fee. Written exams are prepared in most languages. Candidates should indicate their preference for the language in advance.

In case a candidate fails any part of the exam, they have the option for a retake on that specific module in any other exam location. In such a situation, the fee is payable again only for that module.

Exam dates are available on the PADI.com website.

Instructor training is scheduled so that the exam takes place the day after the training is completed.