FII Freediving Instructor Courses
FII professional courses are designed for divers who want to teach responsibly, uphold high standards, and build real instructional capability. The professional path begins at the assistant instructor level and progresses through instructor certifications and specialty teaching ratings, creating a structured system for developing teaching skill, evaluation ability, and professional competence.
FII’s professional training is built on the belief that strong instructors are defined not only by how well they dive, but by how well they teach, evaluate, supervise, and manage students safely.
Choose the right next step in the professional path
This page is the overview. Use it to understand the full professional pathway, the Level 1 Instructor sequence, and the support structure around the role. If you want the deeper why behind the standard, continue to the instructor page. If you want help figuring out your own path, go straight to the interest form.
This Page
See the professional course structure, the Level 1 Instructor sequence, and the main requirements at a glance.
Learn More
How to Become an Instructor explains why serious candidates choose the harder path and what defines the FII standard.
Get Guidance
Instructor Interest is for candidates who want FII to help identify the most sensible next step based on background, readiness, and location.
What are FII Professional Courses?
FII Professional Courses are the pathway for trained freedivers who want to assist, supervise, coach, or certify within the FII system. They are not beginner courses. They are the next phase for divers who have already built the required student-level foundation and are ready to take on professional responsibility.
Supports and assists a qualified FII instructor, and may supervise already certified freedivers. The step that builds professional readiness before the instructor examination. Candidates develop teaching presence, supervision skills, and evaluation support ability under a supervising instructor.
Teaches, evaluates, certifies, and carries full instructional responsibility. Requires completion of the Assistant Instructor step, plus the FII examination assessing teaching ability, safety judgment, demonstration quality, and standards compliance.
Important: Student-level prerequisites must be met before entering professional training. The professional path is selective by design, not as a barrier, but because the role carries real responsibility for student safety and learning.
Steps to Becoming an FII Level 1 Freediving Instructor
The Level 1 Instructor path is designed to progressively build professional readiness. Candidates first establish the required student-level foundation and safety background, then move through assistant instructor training before entering the instructor examination process.
Earn FII Level 1 Freediver certification
Earn FII Advanced Freediving Safety certification
Earn FII Assistant Instructor certification
Pass the FII Level 1 Freediving Instructor Examination
Once certified, FII instructors gain access to professional tools, systems, and support designed to help them teach effectively and operate more professionally.
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Support for teaching business operations
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Access to FII professional liability insurance
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FII teaching aids and educational materials
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Online student registration and certification system
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Worldwide visibility through the FII instructor and course locator
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Personalized instructor portal for managing students, public courses, payments, and more
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Ongoing training support and specialty upgrade opportunities
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Marketing support tools
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Opportunities to expand through facilities, programs, and additional offerings
Frequently asked questions about the professional path
What is the difference between an Assistant Instructor and an Instructor?
An Assistant Instructor supports a qualified FII instructor during courses. A Level 1 Instructor is fully authorized to teach, evaluate, and certify students independently. The assistant step builds the professional readiness required before the instructor examination.
Do I need to be an advanced freediver before professional training?
Yes. Candidates must hold the required student-level certifications before entering professional training. FII Level 1 Freediver and Advanced Freediving Safety are required prerequisites for the Level 1 Instructor path.
Why does FII use a stricter professional path?
Because the instructor role carries genuine responsibility for student safety and learning. A faster credentialing path would reduce the quality and trustworthiness of the credential. FII's standard is built around what the role actually requires, not what is easiest to market.
Assistant Instructor
Assistant Instructor
The FII Assistant Instructor program introduces candidates to FII teaching methods, standards, procedures, and course operations while building the foundation needed to work within the FII instructional system.
FII Assistant Instructor is the entry-level professional certification within the FII system. It prepares candidates to support certified FII instructors in course delivery and to independently supervise or guide already certified freedivers within the limits of the rating.
It also serves as the required step before entering the FII Instructor Program, making it the point where candidates begin applying FII standards in real teaching, supervision, and evaluation settings.
- FII Standards and Procedures
- FII Quality Assurance Program
- Fundamentals of the FII education system and teachings
- Supervision and control of freedivers
- Risk management
- Confined water and open-water watermanship
- Practical instructing and evaluation
Course Duration:
4-day course, including a minimum of 12 hours of academics, 4 hours of open water training, and 6 hours of confined water training.
Age Requirement:
Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Prerequisites:
FII Advanced Freediving Safety certification, plus current CPR, First Aid, and Oxygen Provider certifications.
Freediving Instructor Exam
Freediving Instructor Exam
FII instructor examinations are for candidates ready to teach independently and demonstrate that they can deliver the FII system to a professional standard through strong teaching, evaluation, judgment, and risk management.
Available FII instructor ratings include:
Core Instructor Ratings -
- FII Level 1 Freediving Instructor
- FII Level 2 Freediving Instructor
- FII Level 3 Freediving Instructor
Specialty Instructor Ratings -
- SI - Junior Freediving Instructor
- SI - Waterman Survival Instructor
- SI - Basic Freediving Safety Instructor
- SI - Advanced Freediving Safety Instructor
- SI - Monofin Instructor
- SI - Spearfishing Instructor
- SI - Freediving Photography Instructor
A typical instructor course or examination may include, but is not limited to:
- Professional rating watermanship and skill proficiency
- Academic and practical course overview
- Risk management
- Academic teaching evaluation
- Practical teaching evaluation
- Scheduling and marketing
- Final multiple-choice or written examination
Course Duration:
Varies for exam level.
Age Requirement:
Participants must be at least 18 years old.
Prerequisites:
1. Active teaching status.
2. For the minimum professional rating required for each exam level, refer to the FII Course Flow Chart.
