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Originally Posted On: https://www.abyss.com.au/en/blog/viewpost/298/will-your-scuba-certification-be-recognized

Will Your Scuba Certification Be Recognised?

There are a lot of scuba diving certifications available these days, but not all of them are created equal. There are many international certifications around the world – PADI, SSI, SDI, NAUI, RAID, BSAC, and CMAS, just to name a few. All these agencies recognise each other’s recreational scuba certifications as equivalent, although not all dive shops and tour operators worldwide may do so. For example, divers visiting Thailand might discover that their certification earned in Australia doesn’t meet the requirements expected at certain Thai resorts. This is why we suggest double-checking certification acceptance before planning a dive trip.

All internationally recognised certifications meet the World Recreational Scuba Training Council (WRSTC) Open Water Diver Standard. There is also an ISO Standard, though the major training agencies have adopted it; to ensure recognition wherever you travel, insist on a WRSTC-accepted certification.

PADI recognises Scuba Training certification organisations that are current members in good standing of the WRSTC and whose diver training programs comply with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 9000) standards for Recreational Diving Services.

Although specific Dive Centres and individual dive professionals in Australia may offer diver certifications, these certifications are not approved by the WRSTC and divers with this type of certification will have difficulty having their dive license recognised beyond the local dive shop. Opting for boutique diver credentials like those issued by AUSI (Associated Underwater Scuba Instructors) or ISC (International Scuba Certification) can be tempting. However, it is essential to remember that even though their credentials have been written to meet the requirements of Standards Australia and some international standards, such certifications may pose challenges if you want to travel further afield and explore the world as a certified diver! Even though these courses can be cheaper, divers should remember that this may not hold much value when travelling internationally or even within Australia. Not only is it unrecognised by WRSTC, but many dive resorts and dive operators are also unfamiliar with them.

Suppose you want to do your divers course and make sure your certification is recognised by dive shops, dive professionals, and tour operators worldwide. In that case, you need to get a PADI certification.

PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is the world’s largest and most respected scuba certification agency. PADI is the world authority on recreational scuba, with over 190,000 members in more than 183 countries.

PADI is renowned for its expertise and courses. Distinguishing itself from other dive agencies, PADI adheres to the highest quality management standards, thoroughly monitoring its training criteria across the industry. This guarantees that each course is taught according to rigorous standards set out by a global leader in scuba diving education. So, when you obtain your PADI certification, which signifies a stringent certification process and intense study of diving techniques and safety protocols, you can be sure its recognition will be respected by dive shops and tour operators worldwide. Achieving this certification allows you to explore exciting underwater ecosystems with confidence!

To make sure your diving certification will work everywhere, get either a WRSTC recognize certification such as those from PADI, SSI, SDI, NAUI, RAID, BSAC, or CMAS dive courses. Other certifications like AUSI and ISC might be cheaper, but they may not be accepted by dive shops and dive resorts around the world. Do research to decide which type of dive courses will be best for you.