Become a PADI Instructor at Sugar Land Dive Center – Your Dive Career Starts Here!

Ready to take your step and become a PADI Scuba Instructor? Then consider completing your PADI Instructor Development Course with PADI Course Director Phillip Hetherington and his experienced team at Sugar Land Dive Center. All our IDCs include hands-on learning with lots of personal attention, and our unique Sugar Land  Dive Center Promise - We guarantee you will pass your IE!

Full 2026 IDC Schedule

Whether you're looking for flexibility with our IDC on Demand, a structured experience with our 8-day scheduled IDC, or a destination IDC in Cozumel, Mexico, Sugar Land Dive Center offers the ideal PADI Instructor Development Course for aspiring PADI PROs. Our IDC is easily accessible to divers in the Greater Houston area, including Katy, Pearland, Galveston, and surrounding communities.

Scheduled IDC – Structured, Streamlined, Successful

Our 8-day scheduled IDC courses are designed for those who prefer a clear timeline. These courses always align with a scheduled PADI Instructor Exam (IE), ensuring you're ready to take the exam immediately after completing your PADI Instructor Development Course. This is the perfect option for those who want to fast-track their instructor certification with a focused, immersive experience.

Our next scheduled IDC begins on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The PADI IE will be held on the weekend of March 7/8 in Houston, Texas.

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IDC on Demand – Start When You're Ready!

For those who prefer flexibility, our IDC on Demand gives you the freedom to start when you're ready. We'll align your course with the next available PADI Instructor Exam, so you'll be prepared to take the exam right after completing your IDC – no hassle, no waiting.

Our next IDC on Demand starts whenever you are ready!

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Destination IDC – Complete your IDC in the stunning surroundings of Cozumel, Mexico

Transform your PADI Instructor Development Course into an unforgettable experience with Dive Boutique Cozumel/Cozumel Dive Academy, set in the stunning surroundings of Cozumel, Mexico. Join our 10-day PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Dive Boutique Cozumel / Cozumel Dive Academy. This all-inclusive course offers expert training, ample time to practice and review dive theory, and everything you need to succeed as a PADI Instructor in one of the world’s most renowned diving destinations.

Our next scheduled IDC in Cozumel, Mexico, begins on Friday, January 16, 2026, with an optional two-day prep course beginning on Wednesday, January 14, 2025.

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Instructor Development Course Options and Costs

At Sugar Land Dive Center, we believe in transparency. Therefore, our all-inclusive pricing structure shows you precisely what you will pay, including all PADI fees that are due at the time of your Instructor Examination. Upon signing up, we only require a $700.00 deposit. Once we receive your deposit, we will confirm which PADI PRO IDC Package you wish to sign up for and send you your PADI Digital IDC Crewpac, which includes your IDC eLearning, allowing you to begin the online portion of your IDC immediately. The balance of your IDC fee is due upon the start of your program.

All of our PADI PRO IDC options are available as an "IDC on Demand" or a scheduled program.

PADI PRO Silver

Our PADI PRO Silver IDC is our standard IDC course, designed for individuals who already hold an active EFR Instructor or a CPR/First Aid Instructor rating issued by another agency.

Includes your Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor Course

$2500.00

PADI Fees Due at IE $1060.00

Total IDC Investment $3560.00

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PADI PRO Gold

Our PADI PRO Gold IDC includes everything in our PADI PRO Silver IDC and adds your Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) course to your program.

$2900.00

PADI Fees Due at IE $1206.00

Total IDC Investment $4106.00

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PADI PRO Platinum

Our PADI PRO Platinum IDC is your complete Instructor Development Package..

The PADI PRO Platinum IDC Package includes everything in our PADI PRO Gold IDC, and five additional PADI Specialty Instructor courses of your choice.

$3400.00

PADI Fees Due at IE $1666.00

Total IDC Investment $5066.00

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What's Included in your PADI IDC Package:

IDC candidates receive the following as part of the PADI IDC package:

• PADI Digital IDC Crewpac (includes PADI eLearning)
• Optional two-day prep course to review dive theory
• Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor Course (including PADI fees)*
• EFR Instructor Course with the PADI PRO Gold and PADI PRO Platinum IDC Package.
• MSDT Prep Course with the PADI PRO Platinum IDC Package,

*The Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor Course is included for candidates who already hold an Enriched Air certification and have at least 10 logged dives on Enriched Air.

Additionally, the PADI Digital IDC Crewpac includes:

• Guide to Teaching (PDF)

• IDC eLearning

• PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy and Project AWARE Specialty Course Instructor Guides (PDF)

• Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exams (PDF)

• Rescue Diver Final Exams (PDF)

• Divemaster Final Exams (PDF)

• Aquatic Cue Cards (for Open Water Diver, Adventures in Diving, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and Discover Scuba Diving)

• Skill Development Preparation Slate

• Diving Knowledge eLearning

• PADI Backpack

What's Not Included:

Please note that PADI fees are not included in the IDC package and are payable at the time of the Instructor Examination (IE). All PADI fees are totaled for each PADI PRO IDCPackage: These fees are as follows:

• PADI Fees. 2025 PADI fees for the IDC are:

  • IE Fee: $825.00
  • IDC Fee: $235.00
  • EFR Instructor Fee: $146.00
  • Specialty Instructor Application Fee: $92.00 per specialty applied for.

• Lake entry fees

Instructor Development Course Prerequisites

To join the PADI IDC at Sugar Land Dive Center, you must meet the following prerequisites:

• Dive Leader certification: Divemaster or leadership-level certification with another recognized recreational diver training organization

• Minimum age: 18 years old

• Minimum 60 logged dives to begin the IDC

• Minimum 100 logged dives at the time of the Instructor Examination (IE)

• Physical fitness: Attested by a PADI Medical Statement signed by a physician within the last 12 months

Download Medical Statement

• Certified diver for at least six months

• EFR Primary & Secondary Care training (or other current, equivalent certification) completed within the last 24 months. Note: online-only courses are not acceptable.

• Complete diver rescue skills assessment as per Divemaster course (if not a PADI Divemaster)

• PersonalDive Accident insurance, such as DAN

Why Choose Sugar Land Dive Center?

At Sugar Land Dive Center, our award-winning PADI Platinum Course Director, Phillip Hetherington, leads an experienced and dedicated team in a fun, professional learning environment. With Phillip's extensive experience and leadership, you will receive top-notch instruction and mentorship as you learn to become a PADI Instructor. Our flexible, easy-paced IDC program will equip you with the tools and techniques you need to become a great PADI Instructor.

Follow the Why Choose Sugar Land Dive Center link for more information.

Our Promise to You:

Our promise to you is simple.  We promise to provide you with the best training possible.  When you complete an IDC with us, we guarantee you will pass your PADI IE, or you can come back and participate in another IDC at no additional cost.

(PADI fees not included)
 

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