Dive Professional Certifications
Whether you choose to continue your education, start a new career or add something wonderful to your life by working part-time, being a dive professional is a very rewarding experience. Remember how it felt the first time you got in the water? Relive that amazing time with others, share their experiences and at the same time, earn extra income!
At Denver Divers we not only train you to teach others how to dive, but also teach what you need to know to become a key player in the industry. We teach all levels of SSI's professional certification programs including Snorkel Instructor, all levels of professional scuba certifications as well as all levels of Freediving and Mermaid Instructor certifications.
We do understand that becoming a dive professional is an investment, which means we have many different package options to reduce costs for you as you train to the level of professional you desire.
To be an active dive professional in any SSI discipline, you must be at least 18 years old.
Dive Master
By earning your SSI Dive Master certification, you will be able to autonomously lead a group of certified divers in environments and to depths equivalent to your training. You may also qualify to teach, supervise and issue SSI Snorkel Diver Certifications and act as a certified assistant in all SSI recreational scuba courses.
Course Details:
- Minimum Prerequisites: Master Diver & Science of Diving Certifications and have logged at least 40 open water dives totaling 25 hours or more.
- Price: $940 + tax
- Includes:
- Classroom, pool & open water sessions
- Dive Guide Online Course Materials
- Dive Guide/Dive Master Packaged Kit
- Not Included:
- $70 registration fee paid directly to SSI (paid once during first professional registration with SSI)
- Any necessary travel expenses or open water fees
- Minimum # Dives Required for Completion: Log at least 60 dives totaling 40 hours or more
Bundle your Dive Master & Assistant Instructor courses with Denver Divers and save $250!
To learn more and see all the details about becoming a Dive Master with Denver Divers, download our Dive Professional Pathway information sheet.
Assistant Scuba Instructor
During our Assistant Instructor program, you will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct entry-level scuba training under the supervision of an Open Water Instructor and independently conduct Scuba Skills Updates, Try Scuba, and Perfect Buoyancy programs.
Course Details:
- Minimum Prerequisites: Dive Master Certification & 60 logged dives totaling 40 hours or more
- Price: $1,610 + tax
- Includes:
- Classroom, pool & open water sessions
- Assistant Instructor Online Course Materials
- Assistant Instructor/Open Water Instructor Packaged Kit
- Not Included:
- $70 registration fee paid directly to SSI (paid once during first professional registration with SSI)
- Any necessary travel expenses or open water fees
- Minimum # Dives Required for Completion: Log at least 75 dives totaling 50 hours or more
To learn more and see all the details about becoming an Assistant Instructor with Denver Divers, download our Dive Professional Pathway information sheet.
Open Water Instructor
After successful completion of the SSI Open Water Instructor course, you will be qualified to independently teach various key SSI programs such as Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue and Dive Guide.
Course Details:
- Minimum Prerequisites: Enriched Air Nitrox Certification, Assistant Instructor Certification & 75 logged dives totaling 50 hours or more
- Price: $2,110 + tax
- Includes:
- Classroom, pool & open water sessions
- Open Water Instructor Online Course Materials
- Assistant Instructor/Open Water Instructor Packaged Kit (if you already own this, subtract $79 from the price of the course)
- Not Included:
- $70 registration fee paid directly to SSI (paid once during first professional registration with SSI)
- Any necessary travel expenses or open water fees
- Instructor Evaluation to be conducted by an SSI Instructor Certifier (approximately $800 paid directly to SSI plus any additional travel expenses)
- Minimum # Dives Required for Completion: Log at least 100 dives totaling 65 hours or more
To learn more and see all the details about becoming an Assistant Instructor with Denver Divers, download our Dive Professional Pathway information sheet.
Freediving Assistant Instructor
Once certified, Freediving Assistant Instructors are qualified to teach Snorkeling, Pool Freediving certification (this is the class and pool section of Level 1 Freediver) and the Training Techniques specialty program.
Course Details:
- Minimum Prerequisites: Freediving Level 1 & Training Techniques Certification & at least 50 in-water freediving sessions logged
- Price: $1,067 + tax
- Includes:
- Classroom & pool sessions
- Freediving Instructor Training Online Course Materials
- Freediving Instructor Wetnotes
- Not Included:
- $70 registration fee paid directly to SSI (paid once during first professional registration with SSI)
- Any necessary travel expenses or open water fees
Save $300 if you are already a qualified SSI Scuba Dive Professional.
Download our Freediving Instructor Pathways document for details about becoming a freedive professional.
Freediving Level 1 Instructor
Once certified, Freediving Level 1 Instructors are qualified to teach Snorkeling, Freediving Level 1 certification as well as the Training Techniques & Free Immersion specialty programs.
Course Details:
- Minimum Prerequisites: Freediving Level 1, Freediving Level 2 & Training Techniques Certification & at least 100 in-water freediving sessions logged
- Price: $1,367 + tax
- Includes:
- Classroom, pool & open water sessions
- Freediving Instructor Training Online Course Materials
- Freediving Instructor Wetnotes
- Not Included:
- $70 registration fee paid directly to SSI (paid once during first professional registration with SSI)
- Any necessary travel expenses or open water fees
Save at least $300 if you are already a qualified SSI Freediving Assistant Instructor or an SSI Scuba Dive Professional. You can sign up directly for the Freediving Level 1 Instructor program or choose to start with the Assistant Instructor program and upgrade to a Level 1 Instructor at a later date.
Download our Freediving Instructor Pathways document for details about becoming a freedive professional.
Basic Freediving Instructor
If you are already a Scuba Assistant Instructor and are interested in becoming a Freedive Professional, this course is for you. The Basic Freediving Instructor course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to conduct the Basic Freediver course in a safe and enjoyable manner.
Course Details:
- Minimum Prerequisites: SSI Scuba Assistant Instructor
- Price: $305 + tax
- Includes:
- Classroom and pool sessions
- Basic Freediving Instructor Online Course Materials
- Freediving Instructor Wetnotes
- Not Included:
- Any necessary travel expenses
NOTE: Freediving Assistant and Level 1 Instructors are automatically qualified to teach the Basic Freediver course.
Download our Freediving Instructor Pathways document for details about becoming a freedive professional.
Mermaid Instructor
SSI's Mermaid program opens up a whole new world to anyone interested in learning how to swim with a monofin and transform into a merperson. As a Mermaid Instructor, you will be able to conduct all the SSI Mermaid programs autonomously.
Course Details:
- Minimum Prerequisites: Mermaid certification & Snorkel Instructor certification
- Price: $600 + tax
- Includes:
- Classroom and pool sessions
- Mermaid Instructor Online Course Materials
- Not Included:
- $70 registration fee paid directly to SSI (paid once during first professional registration with SSI)
- Any necessary travel expenses
Save $300 if you are already a qualified SSI Freediving or Scuba Dive Professional.
Download our Mermaid Instructor Pathway document for details about becoming a Mermaid Instructor.
Snorkel Instructor
Become certified to teach the SSI Snorkel program and you will be able to conduct the entry-level snorkeling program for all generations.
Course Details:
- Minimum Prerequisites: N/A
- Price: $220 + tax
- Includes:
- Classroom and pool sessions
- Snorkel Instructor Online Course Materials
- Not Included:
- $70 registration fee paid directly to SSI (paid once during first professional registration with SSI)
- Any necessary travel expenses
Quick Links
Freediving Assistant Instructor
Additional Professional Courses Available
Training Specialist Certification
We offer the full range of professional level certifications at Denver Divers. If you want to become certified to teach a certain specailty and you meet the qualifications, we can help you with your goals. All SSI dive professionals qualify for a variety of different specialty programs, so find out what you are qualified to teach and become a Training Specialist today!
Dive Professional Crossover to SSI Course
We have Instructor Trainers on staff for scuba, mermaid, freediving and swimming, so if you are already certified with a different agency as a dive professional, we can help you crossover to become the equivalent SSI dive professional in any discipline. This includes Dive Master, Open Water Instructor, and Freedive Professional certifications.
Give us a call and we can find the best pathway for you! 303-399-2877
