Get Certified
Requirements To Become A Recreational Instructor
IYT’s Recreational Training programme is taught by highly experienced yachtsmen and women worldwide. If you have the skills and qualifications, you can apply to become a certified IYT Recreational Instructor and join our network of partner schools.
How to Become an Instructor
- Submit your application online with the required documents.
- IYT will assess your eligibility and determine the level you may teach.
- Instructors must be affiliated with an IYT partner school (freelance instruction is not permitted).
- Recreational courses may be taught in any language.
Approved instructors receive:
- An IYT Recreational Instructor Certificate (valid for 5 years)
- An Official Instructor Membership Letter (renewed annually) listing approved courses
- Annual membership must remain current to continue teaching and ordering student certificates
General Approval Guidelines
Instructor applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants must:
- Hold a valid qualification at least one level above the course they wish to teach
- or hold the same level with proven teaching experience,
- or hold the same level and complete internal training at the partner school.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Hold a Basic First Aid Certificate obtained through in person training; online courses are not accepted.
- Hold a Basic Sea Survival Certificate obtained through in person training; online courses are not accepted.
- Provide a current CV/resume outlining qualifications, maritime experience, and teaching history.
- Meet course-specific requirements (see below).
- May be required to complete an interview with an IYT examiner.
We recognize qualifications from other organizations (e.g., AMSA, RYA, Sail Canada, US Sailing) on a case-by-case basis. We do not accept ISSA qualifications.
Course-Specific Requirements
Dinghy Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds Basic First Aid certificate.
Personal Watercraft Operations Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds Basic First Aid certificate.
Try Sailing / Introductory Sailing Skills Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds Basic First Aid certificate.
Day Skipper / Crew – Sail Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds Basic First Aid certificate.
Learn to Sail / Introduction to Yachting Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds Basic First Aid certificate.
International Crew Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds Basic First Aid certificate.
International Flotilla Skipper / International Bareboat Skipper / Powerboat Skipper / ICC <24m Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds current medical fitness certificate (including color vision test, issued within 2 years).
- Minimum logged sea time: 1,500 nm (command experience required).
- Powerboat Skipper: majority must be on power vessels.
- Must hold recognized First Aid and Sea Survival certificates.
- Recommended: STCW certifications.
International Flotilla Skipper (Catamaran) / International Bareboat Skipper (Catamaran)
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds current medical fitness certificate (including color vision test, issued within 2 years).
- Minimum logged sea time: 1,500 nm (command experience required).
- At least 500 nm on sailing catamarans included in total.
- Must hold recognized First Aid and Sea Survival certificates.
- Recommended: STCW certifications.
Yachtmaster Coastal Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds current medical fitness certificate (including color vision test, issued within 2 years).
- Minimum logged sea time: 2,500 nm (with command experience).
- Must hold recognized First Aid and Sea Survival certificates.
- Recommended: STCW certifications.
Yachtmaster Coastal Sail – Catamaran Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds current medical fitness certificate (including color vision test, issued within 2 years).
- Minimum logged sea time: 2,500 nm (with command experience).
- At least 500 nm on sailing catamarans included in total.
- Must hold recognized First Aid and Sea Survival certificates.
- Recommended: STCW certifications.
Yachtmaster Offshore Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds current medical fitness certificate (including color vision test, issued within 2 years).
- Minimum logged sea time: 3,500 nm (with command experience).
- Must hold recognized First Aid and Sea Survival certificates.
- Recommended: STCW certifications.
Yachtmaster Offshore Sail – Catamaran Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds current medical fitness certificate (including color vision test, issued within 2 years).
- Minimum logged sea time: 3,500 nm (with command experience).
- At least 500 nm on sailing catamarans included in total.
- Must hold recognized First Aid and Sea Survival certificates.
- Recommended: STCW certifications.
Yachtmaster Ocean Instructor
- Approval based on applicant’s documented ocean navigation experience.
Small Powerboat & RIB Master Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds Basic First Aid certificate.
Commercial Tender License Instructor
- Meets General Guidelines.
- Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
- Holds Small Powerboat & RIB Master (or equivalent).
- Holds Basic First Aid certificate.
- Logged at least 500 nm as skipper of a power vessel.
Marine Communications VHF/SRC Instructor
- Approval based on documented communications experience.
Application Process
Please apply online. Before beginning, prepare digital copies of the following:
- Passport-style photo (JPG/PNG).
- Government-issued ID (passport or driver’s license).
- Instructor qualifications (if applicable).
- Nautical qualifications.
- Proof of sea time.
- CV/resume of maritime experience.
- Current medical fitness certificate.
If documents are missing, your application cannot be processed. For assistance, contact [email protected].
Fraudulent applications will not be tolerated. Submitting fraudulent documents will result in:
- Immediate denial of application.
- Cancellation of all IYT qualifications held.
- Permanent ban from reapplying.