Frequently asked questions about diving training (FAQ)

What exactly is a commercial diver?

The general image of a commercial diver is often wrongly limited to a hard-hat underwater welder; other areas such as scientific divers or federal-level divers also fall under this term. In short, any diver who works professionally in the water is considered a commercial diver. Properly understood, this term includes not only industrial divers in the classic sense, but also police and military divers, scientific divers, divers from emergency response organisations, and diving instructors. A commercial diver carries out commercial, technical or scientific work underwater. This includes, among other things, assembly and welding work, inspections of structures (e.g. dams or bridges), salvage operations, and scientific research projects. Unlike recreational diving, commercial diving in Austria is strictly regulated by law. Anyone working commercially underwater needs a state-recognised certificate and must meet specific safety and equipment standards.

What is the difference between a recreational diver and a commercial diver?

The main difference lies in the purpose of the dive and the legal framework:

Recreational diver / recreational diving instructor: Diving for leisure, relaxation and passion. Recreational diving instructors train people for diving as a hobby. The certifications are based on association and standards-based requirements.
Commercial diver / commercial diving instructor: Mainly carry out paid work underwater or train people for commercial diving. This is governed by employee and occupational health and safety law, as well as statutory requirements.

How time-consuming is the training?

The time required depends on the level you are aiming for:

Recreational diver: The timeframe from the basic course to becoming a fully qualified commercial diver is around 3 years, depending on your availability.
Recreational diving instructor: The basic requirement is EOBV 4-star training. As a rule, the additional instructor training takes 5 days.
Commercial diver / commercial diving instructor: With appropriate proof of the required teaching units, you can go straight to the multi-day commercial diver exam. The exams are usually scheduled for 4–5 days.

What qualifications do you need to get started in commercial diving?

Depending on the training pathway, different requirements apply:

Minimum age 21, proof of extensive diving experience, and the number of theoretical and practical minimum teaching units required by the state.
Physical fitness certified by an authorised diving physician.
If you lack diving experience and teaching units, the training pathway must be documented or made up/supplemented.

I already have relevant professional experience and/or completed training abroad?

For divers who can prove they were already working as commercial divers before 2006, the proof of professional competence is deemed to have been provided (cut-off date rule). For divers who completed vocational training abroad, the EU professional recognition rules apply. In this case, the issuing authority is contacted to verify the accuracy of the information, and if confirmed, the vocational training is recognised.

May I carry out diving work in Austria with a foreign certificate and without Austrian citizenship?

Yes, provided it is a legally valid vocational qualification from the sending state. However, at the latest after 4 weeks you must obtain a certificate in Austria in accordance with the FK-V.

What costs might I face if I want to become a commercial diver?

The total costs are made up of several components:

Course fees: With the appropriate qualification (at least EOBV 4-star), the course costs for supplementary training up to the required level are usually between €450 and €1,300.
Equipment: The cost of a proper equipment configuration varies individually.
Exam fees: The costs for the examination effort (state exam) are set for each seminar. These costs are usually between €2,000 and €3,000.
Additional costs: Costs for the diving medical examination as well as any travel and accommodation costs for course blocks are charged separately.

Where can you train to become a commercial diver?

Due to the legal requirements in Austria, training to become a commercial diver may only be carried out by state-authorized training institutions. As a state-authorized diving association, EOBV offers modular preparatory courses and exams at various training locations in accordance with the Austrian Professional Competence Ordinance (FK-V), which are recognised under professional law.

Where can you train to become a recreational diving instructor?

Training to become a recreational diving instructor is provided directly by EOBV and its affiliated diving schools and training centres throughout Austria. In specialised instructor seminars, you will be guided step by step from an experienced diver (at least EOBV 4-star) to a certified EOBV recreational diving instructor in line with international quality standards. Instructor training and examinations are conducted by the EOBV Training Commission.

I’m a Divemaster with another association—how can I become a commercial diving instructor?

Entry or a cross-over to EOBV is straightforward, as we take prior knowledge from other associations into account.

The pathway is structured as follows:

Obtaining state professional competence: To become a commercial diving instructor, you complete the specific modules in line with the EOBV training pathway. Even if you provide proof of competence (e.g. IDSA, IMCA), an examination by the commission is still required.

Status assessment: We review your existing certifications (e.g. Divemaster) and your logbook with regard to your previous diving experience. Any missing teaching units and skills up to EOBV 4-star level must be completed.

Instructor qualification: The prerequisite is successful completion of EOBV 4-star training and the minimum number of required dives. Important: Instructors without the FK-V exam are not permitted to provide training in the legally regulated diving sector.