January 2026 | Hybrid ITW
— Location: Corpus Christi, Texas
— Language: English
— Virtual Dates: January 5, 7, 9, 12, 14 and 16
— In-Person Dates: January 19-22, 2026
February 2026 | Hybrid ITW
— Location: Nagoya, Japan
— Language: English & Japanese
— Virtual Dates: January/February 2026
— In-Person Dates: February 23-27, 2026
February 2026 | Hybrid ITW
— Location: SDI HQ, Stuart, Florida
— Language: English
— Hybrid Dates: January 23, 26, 28 and 30 and February 2 and 4, 2026
— In-Person Dates: February 8-11, 2026
March 2026 | Hybrid ITW
— Location: Germany
— Language: German
— Hybrid Dates: TBA
April 2026 | In-Person ITW
— Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil
— Language: Portuguese
— In-Person Dates: April 6-12, 2026
April 2026 | In-Person ITW
— Location: Xiamen, China
— Language: Traditional Chinese
— In-Person Dates: April 11-19, 2026
May 2026 | Hybrid ITW
— Location: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
— Language: English
— Virtual Dates: May 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 2026
— In-Person Dates: May 18-21, 2026
July/August 2026 | Program Format TBA
— Location: India
— Language: English
— Dates: TBA
August 2026 | Program Format TBA
— Location: Poland/Serbia
— Language: Polish
— Dates: TBA
September 2026 | Program Format TBA
— Location: Philippines
— Language: English
— Dates: TBA
October 2026 | Hybrid ITW
— Location: SDI HQ, Stuart, Florida
— Language: English
— Dates: October 11-14, 2026
November 2026 | Hybrid ITW
— Location: Marseille or Toulon, France
— Language: French
— Dates: November 22-29, 2026
March 2027 | In-Person ITW
— Location: Taiwan
— Language: Traditional Chinese
— In-Person Dates: TBA
March 2027 | Hybrid ITW
— Location: German
— Language: German
— Hybrid Dates: TBA
March 2027 | Hybrid ITW
— Location: SDI HQ, Stuart, Florida
— Language: English
— Virtual Dates: March 1, 3, 5, 8, 10 and 12
— In-Person Dates: March 14-17, 2027
April 2027 | In-Person ITW
— Location: São Paulo, Brazil
— Language: Portuguese
— In-Person Dates: TBA
October 2027 | Hybrid ITW
— Location: SDI HQ, Stuart, Florida
— Language: English
— Virtual Dates: October 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, and 22
— In-Person Dates: October 24-27, 2027
November 2027 | In-Person ITW
— Location: Marseille or Toulon, France
— Language: French
— In-Person Dates: November 22-29
Why become an Instructor Trainer
As an Instructor Trainer, you have reached the top of the food chain in the Scuba diving world. You are able to train instructors, assist / Course Director Workshops, and conduct crossover programs for diving professionals. After successfully completing the ITW, you may qualify as an Instructor Trainer for TDI and ERDI courses as you build experience teaching at those levels without needing to attend another ITW. As an Instructor Trainer, you will also have the ability to expand your dive center’s instructor base as well as increase revenue.
ITW Application — Now Available Through Portal at TDISDI.com
The Instructor Trainer Workshop (ITW) Application is now fully online and available through the TDISDI.com Portal! The new online format streamlines the application process and allows for payment online. Simply login to the portal with your Instructor credentials and click on Register Professional. It’s that simple! Click Here for step-by-step instructions on how to apply through the Portal.
Note: If the application payment process through the Portal is not available in your region, please continue to use the paper (PDF) application.
Sign up today to reserve your seat in the next Instructor Trainer Workshop!
To apply, complete the ITW Application; Submit the ITW application package in full, all of the required documentation listed on page 2, and a $1000.00 application fee. These items must be submitted to your Regional Office (outside of the North American region) or to the World HQ Training Department, via the form below for review.
On Location at the Pool
On Location at the Pool Session of our Spring Instructor Trainer Workshop
Staff Swims (for fun)
The Staff at Headquarters competes at the pool session at an ITW.
About the ITW
The Instructor Trainer Workshop (ITW) is an intense course that includes multiple virtual classes leading to four days on location undertaking academic, pool, and open water sessions. To see the prerequisites and course requirements, review the Course Director and Instructor Trainer Standards in the current SDI Standards & Procedures. Download the application to get started.
Who is this course open to?
Any Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor who meets the prerequisites (minimum 200 certification for Instructor Trainer and 150 certifications for Course Director) outlined in the SDI Standards and Procedures Manual.
What will the course consist of?
You will spend multiple virtual classes and four days on location working directly with the headquarters staff or HQ appointed Instructor Trainer Evaluator presenting and evaluating various subjects such as: methods of instruction, dive leader risk management, the business of scuba diving, as well as teaching SDI, TDI, and ERDI instructor level courses. You will also present and evaluate in-water presentations and skills, participate in class discussions, take the ITW final written exam, and more!
How much is the course?
$4,000 USD
Instructor Trainer Prerequisites
- Minimum age 21
- Provide proof of 300 logged dives (200 logged dives to join as a Course Director Candidate)
- Be an active SDI OWSDI or Equivalent, for a minimum of 2 years with no verified quality assurance complaints within the past 12 months
- Have issued a minimum of 200 SDI (or equivalent) diver certifications at various levels.
- Suggested levels as defined below:
- 150 open water scuba diver
- 20 rescue diver
- 25 specialty diver
- 5 Divemaster or Assistant Instructor
- Candidate must show verification of using SDI/TDI/ERDI standards and materials to conduct or assist at least 5 full SDI/TDI/ERDI courses
- Be and active First Response Training Adult and Child Emergency Care Instructor
- Have a current medical examination for scuba diving signed by a licensed physician
If you meet these prerequisites, complete the ITW Application. Submit the ITW application package in full, all of the required documentation listed on page 2, and a $1000.00 application fee. These items must be submitted to your Regional Office (outside of the North American region) or to the World HQ Training Department for review, via the form below.
Standards & Procedures
Course Standards & Procedures
Come find out «WHY» you should become an Instructor Trainer during our FREE Webinar.
Join Sean Harrison and Cris Merz for a fast-paced hour-long webinar to find out how you can advance your diving career to the highest level as a dive professional with SDI/TDI/ERDI.