NAUI Leadership Courses

NAUI Progression of Leadership Training (Leadership and Instructor Levels)

The leadership and instructor levels of certification are:

• Skin Diving Instructor
• Assistant Instructor
• Divemaster
• Instructor

The minimum age is 18 years for all leadership programs. Certifications as a NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver, NAUI Rescue Scuba Diver, NAUI Nitrox Diver, NAUI Master Scuba Diver, NAUI First Aid for the Diving Professional, NAUI Oxygen Provider (or equivalent) are required. The Skin Diving Instructor certification (formerly Skin Diving Leader) has long been unique to NAUI. It qualifies individuals to train and certify skin divers and conduct snorkeling experience programs. Certification as a NAUI Skin or Open Water Scuba Diver or the equivalent is a prerequisite for this program.

Both the Assistant Instructor and Divemaster ratings allow individuals to attend an Instructor Training Course (ITC) to be trained and qualified as NAUI Instructors. NAUI's Familiarization-Instruction-Testing (FIT) Program is an optional non-certification program that may be used as a prerequisite for enrollment in the NAUI Assistant Instructor course, NAUI Divemaster course, or NAUI Instructor Crossover Course (ICC).

The program includes both instruction and evaluation. Enrollees receive the information needed to prepare for NAUI membership and NAUI leadership training. Participants are given knowledge, water skill and other performance evaluations, critiques and counseling to ensure they are aware of their state of preparedness for NAUI membership and continued leadership training.