Course Director
The Course Director level is the pinnacle of the PADI System of diver education, representing less than one percent of all PADI Members. Course Director hopefuls submit an application for acceptance into one of two annual Course Director Training Courses. From almost 200 applications submitted each year only about 70 participants are selected to attend the two week long Course Director Training Course (CDTC).
The Course Director rating is the equivalent of having a postgraduate degree in scuba diving instruction, there is not a more prestigious level of certification within the dive industry. Course Directors are the only people who may conduct the Instructor Development Course needed to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor.
What do I need to start?*
› Hold the PADI Master Instructor certification for at least six months
› 250 logged dives
› Renewed EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE™ Instructor Trainer
What will I do?
You will need to successfully complete the PADI Course Director Training Course
How long will it take?
The Course Director Training Course lasts two weeks
What materials are available?
› PADI Course Director Manual
› PADI Instructor Manual
› PADI Instructor Development Course Candidate Workbook
*Specific prerequisite requirements are found in the PADI Instructor Manual, the requirements listed on padi.com are general guidelines.