For Divers

A career as a commercial diver is both challenging and highly specialized. In places like Singapore, the profession is regulated to ensure safety due to the high-risk nature of underwater work.

What Does a Commercial Diver Do?

Commercial divers typically work in industries such as:

• Offshore oil and gas
• Marine construction
• Ship repair and maintenance
• Underwater inspection and welding
• Salvage operations

The work can involve deep-sea diving, operating heavy equipment underwater, and working in low-visibility or hazardous environments. Physical stamina, mental resilience, and strict adherence to safety protocols are essential.

Minimum Requirements in Singapore

To become a commercial diver in Singapore, you must meet the following baseline requirements:

1. Be at least 18 years old
2. Medical Fitness
   • Possess a current Commercial Diving "Fit to Dive" medical certificate.
   • The certificate must be issued by a hyperbaric and diving medical specialist registered in Singapore.
   • Regular medical examinations are required to ensure ongoing fitness.
3. Recognised Certification
   • Obtain a Certificate of Training in Commercial Diving.
   • The certificate must be recognised by Singapore's Ministry of Manpower (MOM).

Is It the Right Career for You?

Commercial diving can be rewarding due to:

• Competitive pay
• Opportunities to work on major infrastructure and offshore projects
• Travel and international assignments
• A strong sense of accomplishment

However, it is not for everyone. The job often involves:

• Long hours
• Physically strenuous work
• Strict safety compliance
• Working in confined or hazardous underwater environments

If you are physically fit, comfortable working underwater, and thrive in disciplined, high-pressure environments, commercial diving can be a fulfilling long-term career.

 

Medical Fitness Requirement for Commercial Divers

1. Mandatory Certification
   • All commercial divers shall possess a valid and current “Fit to Dive” medical certificate issued by a duly qualified hyperbaric and diving medical specialist.
2. Scope of Certification
   • The medical certificate must expressly state that it is issued for the purpose of commercial diving, occupational diving, or an equivalent designation. Medical certificates issued solely for recreational diving shall not be accepted for commercial diving activities.
3. Validity Period
   • Unless otherwise specified by the issuing practitioner, the medical certificate shall remain valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of the medical examination. Upon expiry of the stated validity period, the certificate shall be deemed invalid, and the diver must undergo a further medical examination and obtain a renewed certificate before engaging in any commercial diving operations.
4. Registration of Medical Practitioner
   • The medical practitioner issuing the certificate must be lawfully registered to practise medicine in Singapore.
5. Reference Guide
   • Divers may refer to the CDA(S) Guide entitled “Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Practitioners,” available under the “Downloads” tab, for guidance.
6. Disclaimer Regarding Practitioner Listings
   • The aforementioned guide is published by the Commercial Diving Association (Singapore) (“CDA(S)”) and contains only the names of medical practitioners whom CDA(S) members are currently consulting and have recommended for inclusion. The guide does not constitute a complete or authoritative listing of all Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Practitioners in Singapore. A comprehensive register of medical practitioners may be obtained from the relevant statutory medical registration authority.

 

Individuals may possess commercial diving qualifications obtained outside the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), other than MOM's Level 1 and Level 2 certifications. Such individuals are advised to verify whether their qualifications are included in MOM's list of recognised foreign commercial diving certifications. This list is published in the document Technical Notes: Surface Supplied Diving Equipment (SSDE) Diver, Appendix C, available for download from the Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council website.

A condensed reference of recognised qualifications may also be found in the CDA(S) Guidance Document titled Recognized Diver Certificates, accessible via the "Downloads" section of the WSH Council website.

Where a foreign qualification is formally recognised by MOM, the holder thereof may commence or continue employment as a commercial diver in Singapore without the requirement to complete MOM's Level 1 and Level 2 commercial diving courses.

 

Stop diving at once and act responsibly. You may be one of the active commercial divers in Singapore who has been working as a diver for many years, but never had the opportunity to attend a course of training and instruction at a recognised commercial diving training centre.

This can be a problem because a certificate of training as a commercial diver is a MOM requirement, and is non-negotiable, regardless of how many years of experience you may already have. One way to get yourself certified in line with MOM requirements is to undergo an "experienced diver programme" which is acceptable to MOM.

In Singapore, this would be the "Assessment Only Pathway" (AOP) programme, currently available at the commercial diver training centre listed above. The "assessment" (not a course!) lasts 10 days (compared to the 40 days for a full Level 1+2 course) and results in a recognised Level 2 equivalent i.e. the "Level 2: Surface Supplied Diver – Assessment Only Pathway" qualification. Bear in mind that, if your experience is very limited (e.g. only SCUBA diving), you will not be able to pass the Assessment. In this case, we recommend you attend the full course.

If you are unsure, you can arrange to meet with the course provider for a frank discussion on your suitability for the AOP programme. Some foreign certifying bodies (e.g., ADAS in Australia) also offer an experienced diver programme to obtain an Offshore Diver certificate. However, these programmes are only for those with extensive offshore diving experience. Again, if you are unsure, you should contact the training centre involved to check your eligibility.

 

1. Mandatory Training for Commercial Diving Supervisors

A Commercial Diving Supervisor must complete an accredited course at a Learning Service Provider (LSP) to obtain an Inland/Inshore Diving Supervisor certificate recognized by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Singapore.

The relevant courses are:

Level	Course Name	Scope
Level 3	Inland/Inshore Commercial Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus (CSCUBA) Dive Supervisor	No decompression dives, up to 30 m
Level 4	Inland/Inshore Surface-Supplied Diving Equipment (SSDE) Dive Supervisor	Dives up to 30 m

 

• • These courses are aligned with the Commercial Diving Competency Standards set by the Workplace Safety & Health Council and MOM.
  • Courses are available at accredited LSPs.
  • Funding options exist for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.

2. Recognition of Foreign Qualifications
   • Some foreign dive supervisor certifications are recognized by CDAS & MOM.
   • Example: IMCA Air Dive Supervisor qualification.
   • A full list of accepted foreign qualifications is in the MOM Technical Notification (TN).
3. Assessment Only Pathway (AOP)
   • Currently, there is no Assessment Only Pathway for experienced Dive Supervisors in Singapore.
   • All candidates must complete the formal course at an LSP.

 

Legal and Regulatory Perspective on Additional Certifications for Commercial Divers

Once a diver has completed the mandatory commercial diving training recognized by government authorities, additional certifications or qualifications may be pursued. These are generally optional but can enhance safety, competence, and employability.

1. Core Diver Certification – Legal Requirement
   • *Stop At Here*

Once you have obtained the required certificate of training for commercial diving, you are free to obtain additional certifications or skills qualifications. These memberships or certifications are usually arranged by the diving companies. Some common examples of these additional certifications are listed below.

Type of Additional Certifications	Examples
Membership or Recognition by a Trade Association	A Diver Card from ADC International, a US based Association
Diving Skills Qualifications	Underwater NDT Inspectors Underwater Welders Underwater cutting / burning
Surface support Qualifications	Diver Medic Technicians Life Support Technicians, Chamber Operators Dive Equipment Technician Dive Helmet Service Technician

Note: The above qualifications in themselves are not proof that you have obtained the required diver training certificate. Always have a copy of your diver training certificate or diver accreditation card (CDA(S), ADAS, HSE etc.) ready, to prove that you are qualified to MOM requirements.

A diver must have and maintain a personal Diver’s Log Book. Not only is it a legal requirement, it will serve as a CV for your future career.

Many dive companies will have some sort of Operations Log Book which will record every dive of every diver on a particular job or project. Obviously, you cannot take this company Log Book with you if you decide to leave the company, and you then will be without any record of your diving experience. Do get and maintain your own personal Diver’s Log Book which you can keep with you throughout your career.

A Professional Commercial Diver’s Log Book can be purchased from your course provider, or you can check one of the equipment suppliers listed under “Associate Members”, in the “Contact Us” webpage.

Many (but not all) certificates in this industry do come with expiry dates, and will become invalid when expired. Do keep a close eye on these expiry dates, and arrange to renew or recertify yourself early to avoid lapses.

DO NOT be tempted to alter, edit, falsify or fabricate any certificate or record. Falsified or fake certificates are illegal under the WSH Act, and culprits can face fines and/or jail time. Further, it is a growing industry practice for companies and clients to double-check certificates and even Log Books. The chances of being caught are quite high. Do keep everything above board, and you can have a long career as a professional of good standing and reputation within the industry.

If you are a new diver looking for that first commercial diving job, you are welcome to submit your CV to CDA(S). CDA(S) will forward the CV to our members for their consideration. If you already have a particular company in mind, you can contact the diving companies directly, through the contacts in the “Contact Us” page.

Divers or industry partners who have safety concerns can also contact CDA(S) for advice. If it is a matter of great urgency, we recommend you contact MOM directly, through their safety hotline 6317 1111.

In Singapore, commercial divers come under the sector of Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering. Therefore, divers seeking union support in matters of salary or employment can consult with the Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Employees Union (SMEEU).

Union membership is reasonably priced. Apart from union support in matters of employment, members are eligible for training grants and some benefits from NTUC-supported retail outlets. You can contact SMEEU through the contact in the “Contacts Us” page, or through CDA(S).