Scuba Diving Certification Agencies

Certification Agencies provide all levels of diver training.  They also regulate and represent diving professionals such as dive instructors and dive masters, and  actively promote marine conservation.

All courses are quite similar and dive operators anywhere in the world will recognize an open water certification card from any main agency. 

Agencies

PADI - The Professional Association of Diving Instructors is the most recognized certification agency in the world.  More beginning divers are certified through PADI than all the other agencies combined. 

SSI – Scuba Schools International can be found in 90 countries around the world with 2000 authorized dealers and over 225 regional centers.

YMCA – Courses are open to both men and women.  The program is exclusive to the United States with centers convenient for most diver certification seekers.

NAUI – The National Association of Underwater Instructors is one of the largest global certification agencies.  Dive centers can be found primarily in North America.

BSAC – The British Sub Aqua Club is a popular agency in the United Kingdom.

CMAS – Confederation Mondiale des Activites Subaquatiques is the world’s oldest agency.  CMAS has a different rating system than other agencies. Their accreditation is based on star levels.