VA-approved Scuba Certifications

What is the VA-approved Scuba Certification Program?

The International Training VA program enables veterans to use their GI Bill®benefits to learn to dive, continue their SCUBA education, or become a dive industry professional. This program offers various different VA-approved certifications and professional-level licenses. These programs cover a range of courses, including beginner scuba diving education, technical and public safety diving, freediving, instructor courses, and more.

Are you eligible to enroll?

We encourage veterans to confirm their eligibility for this program with the Department of Veteran Affairs Regional office or local VA Assistance offices prior to committing to a course. Eligibility is based on Chapters 30, 32, 33, 35, and 1606. These licenses and exams should deduct portions of months based on the dollar amount of the course taken. Vets should confirm eligibility, time left and benefit level with their VA representative. Each individual veteran has a different situation so confirming with the VA before starting is the best scenario to confirm eligibility and reimbursement.

What licenses and certifications are offered?

Currently, there are 18 VA-approved programs available through International Training. You may see a full list of all the certification and licensing programs available from International Training here. Programs currently available at Scuba-Fun:

1. SDI Basic Scuba, $1,000
   1. Open water
   2. Nitrox
2. SDI Full Advanced Diver, $1,500
   1. Deep Diver
   2. Navigation
   3. Night
3. SDI Rescue Diver, $1,500
   1. Rescue
   2. CPR
   3. Oxygen administration
   4. Bloodborne pathogens
   5. Airborne pathogens
4. Fill Station Attendant, $2,000
   1. VIP
   2. Air Fill
   3. Nitrox Blender
   4. Advanced blender
   5. Equipment tech
   6. O2 Service Tech
5. TDI Technical Diver 1, $2,000
   1. Advanced Nitrox
   2. Deco Procedures
6. TDI Technical Diver 2, $2,000
   1. Trimix
7. TDI Technical Diver 3 (CCR), $2,000
   1. Air Diluent CCR
8. SDI Divemaster Course, $1,500

How do you sign up?

1. Contact us and sign up for one of our VA-approved programs offered here at Scuba-Fun.

2. Pay for the program you have selected. Make sure you retain your proof of purchase/receipt. You will need those in order to be reimbursed.

3. Complete your training with us.

4. Submit VA Form 22-0803. See the section below for instructions to streamline the paperwork process. The VA will process your form and issue reimbursement once approved. You MUST have your proof of purchase/receipt!

What is the required paperwork?

You’ll need to fill out VA Form 22-0803 and upload it to the VA website through Ask VA along with all supporting materials, or mail it to your regional VA processing office for reimbursement. It is important that all required items are included. To make this process easier, we have pre-filled portions of the form according to each of our programs. You can find a .pdf of the form for your selected program at tdisdi.com/gibill.

More information can be found here on the VA GI Bill® benefits webpages.

GI Bill^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.