Requirements To Become A Professional Instructor

IYT professional courses are delivered by experienced yachtsmen and women with years in the marine industry. If you have the skills and background to teach, you can apply to become a certified IYT Professional Instructor.

How to Apply

  • Complete the online application and upload the required documents.
  • IYT will review your qualifications and determine the level you may instruct.

Important: All instructors must be associated with an IYT partner school. Freelance instruction is not permitted.

Language Requirements

  • Master of Yachts courses: Must be taught and examined in English (mandated by the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency).
  • Other professional courses: May be taught in any language.

Certification & Membership

Approved instructors receive:

  • An IYT Professional Instructor Certificate (valid for 5 years).
  • An Official Instructor Membership Letter (renewed annually), listing approved courses.

Membership must remain current to teach and order student certificates. Approved courses are also listed in each instructor’s online account.

General Approval Guidelines

Instructor approval is evaluated case by case. Applicants must:

  • Hold a valid qualification at least one level above the course they wish to instruct,
    • or hold the same level with proven teaching experience,
    • or hold the same level and complete an internal training programme at a partner school.
  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Hold a Basic First Aid Certificate (must be in-person; online courses not accepted).
  • Provide a current CV/resume outlining education, qualifications, maritime experience, and teaching history.

Applicants may also be interviewed by an IYT-appointed examiner.

Recognition of Other Qualifications: IYT accepts qualifications from AMSA, RYA, Sail Canada, and US Sailing on a case-by-case basis. Qualifications from ISSA are not accepted.

Course-Specific Guidelines

Small Powerboat & RIB Master Instructor

  • Meets General Guidelines.
  • Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
  • Holds Basic First Aid Certificate.

Marine Communications VHF/SRC Instructor

  • Approval based on documented communications experience.

Superyacht Deck Crew Instructor

  • Meets General Guidelines.
  • Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
  • At least 2 years’ industry experience as deckhand or higher (IYT Superyacht Deck Crew CoC recommended).

Superyacht Hospitality / Interior Crew Instructor

  • Meets General Guidelines.
  • VHF/SRC recommended (not mandatory).
  • At least 3 years’ service as steward/stewardess on yachts over 120 ft with 6+ crew.

Superyacht Chef Instructor

  • VHF/SRC recommended (not mandatory).
  • At least 3 years’ service as head/executive chef on yachts over 120 ft with 6+ crew.

Master of Yachts Mate 200 GT / Coastal Instructor

  • Meets General Guidelines.
  • Holds VHF/SRC certificate (or equivalent).
  • Current medical fitness certificate (with colour vision test, issued within 2 years).
  • Minimum 3,000 nm logged (some command experience required).
  • Holds all 4 STCW Basic Safety Training certificates (not required if applicant holds Master II/2 CoC).

Master of Yachts Limited 200 GT Instructor

  • Meets General Guidelines.
  • Holds VHF/SRC (or equivalent).
  • Current medical fitness certificate (with colour vision test, issued within 2 years). Not required if teaching theory only.
  • Minimum 5,000 nm logged (3,000 as command). Not required if applicant holds Master II/2 CoC.
  • Holds all 4 STCW Basic Safety Training certificates (not required if applicant holds Master II/2 CoC).

Master of Yachts Unlimited 200 GT Instructor

  • Approval based on background and ocean navigation experience.

Boat Engineer (Caribbean SCV Code)

  • Holds an engineering qualification of at least 100KW.
  • At least 2,500 nm experience on <24 m power vessels (preferably across inboards, outboards, stern drives, and jet drives).

IYT–MSWI BoatMaster Instructor

  • Must be assessed and approved by Maritime School of the West Indies in conjunction with the Sint Maarten Maritime Authority.

Transition to Yacht Marine Engineering

  • For Small Powerboat & RIB Master: Must hold First Aid and VHF/SRC.
  • For Superyacht Deck Crew modules: 2 years’ deckhand experience (Superyacht Deck Crew CoC recommended).
  • Must hold a Marine Engineer License (min. 100KW).
  • At least 2,500 nm as master or mate on <24 m power vessels (preferably across inboards, outboards, stern drives, jet drives).

Application Process

Applications must be submitted online. Prepare the following documents before applying:

  • Passport-style photograph (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, applications cannot be processed. For assistance, contact support@iytworld.com.

Fraud Warning

IYT strictly prohibits fraudulent applications. Submitting false documents will result in:

  • 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.