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 (not online; practical elements required).
  • 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)

  • 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 support@iytworld.com.

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.


If you already have an IYT account ID, please login and complete the instructor application.

If you have not registered on our site, please register and complete the instructor application.


What does it cost to be an IYT Instructor

Please see this document for Instructor Membership & Certificate Prices as of November 2025 "Instructor Certificate and Membership Fees". The cost is based on the range of courses covered and the depth of knowledge required.