PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)
Turn Your Passion Into a Profession.
Teaching someone to breathe underwater for the very first time is an experience you’ll never forget.
The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) prepares you to become a confident, knowledgeable and professional scuba instructor capable of teaching divers safely anywhere in the world.
Why Become a PADI Instructor?
For many divers, becoming an instructor fulfils a lifelong ambition. Some go on to work in tropical resorts around the world. Others teach part-time alongside their existing careers, volunteer within their local dive club or simply enjoy introducing friends and family to scuba diving.
At Wiltshire Scuba we believe great instructors are developed through mentoring, coaching and practical experience. We don’t just prepare you for the Instructor Examination — we prepare you for your first day as a professional instructor.
What You Will Learn
The Instructor Development Course develops every aspect of professional instruction. You’ll build confidence in academic teaching presentations, Confined Water teaching, Open Water teaching, student control and supervision, risk management, rescue assessment and dive theory.
You’ll receive continuous coaching throughout the programme with personalised feedback after every exercise.
Course Structure
Learning Through Coaching
Training includes classroom workshops, Confined Water practice, Open Water teaching exercises, rescue assessments, mock examinations and daily feedback sessions.
Preparing for the Instructor Examination (IE)
The IDC is specifically designed to prepare you for the independent PADI Instructor Examination, practising the same style of presentations and assessments used during the examination.
Prerequisites
- Minimum age of 18 years.
- Current PADI Divemaster certification (or qualifying professional rating accepted by PADI).
- Current Emergency First Response Instructor certification or eligibility to complete it.
- A diver medical statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months.
- At least 60 logged dives to begin, including experience in night, deep and navigation diving, and 100 logged dives before you can sit the Instructor Examination.
What Is Included?
- Assistant Instructor training, if you haven’t already completed it as a standalone course
- Instructor Development Course tuition
- Course Director mentoring
- Teaching workshops
- Practical assessments
- Mock examinations
Already completed Assistant Instructor separately? That’s fine — it’s a genuine prerequisite either way, so your IDC picks up from there rather than repeating it.
No upcoming dates are currently scheduled for this course.
Includes instructor-led tuition, practical course sessions and PADI certification upon successful completion. Any site entry, boat fees, equipment hire or other course-specific costs are listed separately where applicable.
Classroom & Practical Sessions
Private Training
We can offer 1:1 teaching and private pool sessions by enquiry for many of our PADI courses.
This is ideal if you would prefer a quieter learning environment, want extra support, or need training arranged around your availability.
Private training is subject to instructor and pool availability, so please get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk through the best option for you.
Contact UsWhy Our Candidates Succeed
Our focus isn’t simply helping candidates pass the Instructor Examination. It’s helping them become instructors that students remember. That means developing excellent communication, calm professionalism, strong organisational skills, positive coaching techniques and high safety standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the IDC take?
Programme duration depends on the format being offered and your previous qualifications. We’ll explain the available options when you enquire.
Is the Instructor Examination included?
The IDC prepares you for the Instructor Examination. Any examination fees should be confirmed through the booking page.
Will I teach real students?
You’ll develop your teaching skills through practical workshops and training scenarios in accordance with current PADI standards.
What happens after I become an instructor?
Many new instructors continue building experience before progressing towards Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) and IDC Staff Instructor.
Can I work overseas after qualifying?
PADI Instructor certifications are recognised worldwide, subject to local employment and visa requirements.
Related Courses
- Divemaster — required before the IDC
- Assistant Instructor — included in the IDC, or take it separately first if you’d rather not commit to the whole programme yet
- Emergency First Response Instructor
- Master Scuba Diver Trainer
Professional Training Tailored to Your Experience
Every diver's route through the PADI professional system is a little different. Talk to us about your professional pathway -- the stages below show how they typically connect.
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Divemaster
The first professional level -- lead certified divers and start assisting instructors during training.
View Divemaster -
Assistant Instructor Optional / can run standalone
Develop teaching skills and begin instructing under supervision. Requires a current Divemaster certification.
Included within the full IDC below -- or take it on its own first if you're not ready to commit to the whole programme yet.
View Assistant Instructor -
Instructor Development Course (IDC) — you are here
Become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor. Includes Assistant Instructor training if you haven't already completed it separately.
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Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)
Broaden your teaching range with specialty instructor ratings and build your value to dive centres.
View Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) -
IDC Staff Instructor
Assist Course Directors on future Instructor Development Courses and mentor the next generation of PADI Professionals.
View IDC Staff Instructor
Ready to Become a PADI Instructor?
Train with Wiltshire Scuba and experience the difference of learning with a PADI 5★ Instructor Development Centre committed to producing confident, capable instructors.