SSI Professional Program

Divemaster

Turn your passion into a profession

Becoming an SSI Divemaster is where diving stops being a hobby and starts being who you are. It's the first rung on the professional ladder — and it's earned on the job, guiding and assisting real divers alongside experienced instructors, not from a textbook. If you love the water and want to lead others into it, this is where your career starts.

At a glance

Prerequisite

SSI Diver Stress & Rescue (or equivalent)

Experience to start

40+ logged dives (25+ hours)

Minimum age

Dive Guide 15 · Divemaster 18

Maximum depth

130 ft

Course hours

About 35–45

You'll certify as

SSI Divemaster (or Dive Guide)

You'll also need experience in Deep (past 100 ft), Underwater Navigation, and Night & Limited Visibility diving — either the specialty certifications or five logged dives in each. To finish, Dive Guide requires 50 logged dives (32+ hrs); Divemaster requires 60 logged dives (40+ hrs) plus the Science of Diving and Scuba Standards & Procedures exams. Divemasters are also certified as SSI Snorkel Instructors.

How to become a Divemaster

Build your foundation

Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and Diver Stress & Rescue — plus your logged dives and experience.

Sharpen your skills

Deep, navigation, night & limited-viz diving, rescue, and the dive theory behind them.

Prove it

Practical assessments plus the Divemaster final exam (and Science of Diving for Divemaster).

Go pro

Earn your rating; activate your SSI Professional status to work and assist in courses.

Two ways to go pro

You don't have to be an active professional to start. Here's the trade-off.

No active status required

Dive Guide

Guide certified divers on recreational, non-commercial dives.

Lower cost and commitment — no ongoing pro membership needed

Start younger — from age 15

Learn the skills and guide at your own pace

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Cannot teach or assist in any SSI training program

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Not the full professional path — upgrade later to unlock more

Full professional

Divemaster

Guide divers and assist instructors in courses — the true first pro rating.

Assist on real courses; become an SSI Snorkel Instructor

The first step toward becoming an Instructor

Insurable, employable, recognized worldwide

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Requires active SSI Professional status (membership + insurance)

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More dives (60) and extra exams; age 18+

Ready to go pro?

Start where you dive — Central Florida's springs and Florida's reefs. Small groups, real mentorship, flexible dates.

Check dates & book → Call (407) 349-3640

Apprentice Program

Work it off — go pro for less

Passionate about diving but worried about the cost? Ask us about our apprentice program. Take your Divemaster training and volunteer your time helping out on courses and guided dives to offset — or pay off — your tuition. You'll rack up real on-the-job experience while earning your way to pro.

Ask about the apprentice program →