SCUBA Diving Certification Laws

No specific federal laws are enforced regarding recreational scuba diving certification. Coastal states might have marine and park regulations that affect scuba diving such as on dive boats and in marine sanctuaries. Certifying agencies have consistent training standards, and dive operators enforce scuba certifications to cover their risk of liability.

  1. Certification (C-Card)

    • A diver with a C-card has demonstrated the minimum skill set for scuba training. An open-water-certified diver can dive without a dive professional; basic scuba divers must be supervised.

    Laws

    • Maritime laws generally regulate scuba diving activities. Countries and provinces such as Israel and Quebec limit divers based on their certification level.

    Standards

    • Certifying agencies such as PADI set minimum standards for each level of scuba training.

    U.S. Regulations

    • In lieu of federal scuba certification laws, dive operators and agencies enforce certification. Municipal and state laws regulate dive activities in marinas, lakes and preserves, where each diver must furnish a C-card.

    Considerations

    • When planning any dive excursion, check with dive operators and country regulations for scuba diving that can involve registration or a health certificate.