The Gulf Coast’s Top Commercial Diving School Is Now Enrolling
Start your career with Florida Commercial Diving Institute (FCDI) — Florida’s leading commercial diving and underwater welding school, offering international certification and VA-approved programs for veterans ready to dive into a lifelong profession.
Classes starting monthly
This isn’t your Average Classroom – It’s Real-World, Deep-Water Training for Real Careers.
Why Choose FCDI
We Provide the Highest Standard Commercial Diving Programs In Florida
Florida Commercial Diving Institute has been developed by a skilled and dedicated team of working divers and dive supervisors with over a century of combined experience in the commercial diving industry.
Our goal is simple, Teach our students the skills they need to find life long employment in the exciting world of deep diving.
- Located on a 260 ft deep lake
- Dives up to 165 feet
- Oil Platform from the Gulf of Mexico
We Offer a Variety of Financing Options
Florida Commercial Diving Institute is eligible to participate in third-party financing programs. Our Financial Aid office can help you identify, understand and qualify for a variety of financing options if necessary. Our office is equipped with the knowledge to help with financing options.
Videos
Our Programs
Diving Courses
UNRESTRICTED SURFACE SUPPLIED DIVER
NATIONAL SURFACE SUPPLIED DIVER
IMCA DIVER MEDIC TECHNICIAN
UNDERWATER BURNING SPECIALIST
Our Professional Standing
Florida Commercial Diving Institute is proud to be associated with and a professional member of the following organizations:
Testimonials
What Our Students Say
Vincent Vermillion
3 weeks ago
FCDI is an amazing 26 week school where you can get your International Diving certification. The staff there are amazing and will work with you from start to finish. If you are thinking about becoming a commercial diver you should definitely look into FCDI. They also offer a DMT( Dive Medic ) course. The instructors go all in on your efforts, to ensure you are prepared in the real world. Between all the instructors there they have real world world wide experience. They will prepare you for which ever job you choose after graduation.
Jake Gauthier
3 weeks ago
I had my eyes on this school well before I was able to attend. I am a Marine Corps veteran, and I called for information and hopes of attendance a year before the school was able to supplement tuition with the GI bill. I was met with nothing but professionalism and informative tact. Though at the time I was regretfully informed the GI bill was not an option as of yet. A full year later, they remembered me. As soon as the GI bill was accepted I received a phone call, multiple to be exact. I missed a few calls unfortunately and the staff was diligent in reaching out. To my fortune I was called again, and was able to answer. I was asked if I was still interested in attending the school and becoming a commercial diver. Of course, I said yes immediately and in my case started the Monday after the Thursday phone call. Let me tell you, since day one, this school has far exceeded my expectations. From classroom teaching to hands on training, every single day I have been taught valuable and applicable knowledge. Not just textbook requirements, Real world experience to carry with me handed down from dedicated instructors, all of which are stellar examples of commercial divers to be imitated. Each instructor brings with them entires lives committed to the industry with invaluable lessons and teaching points. The passion is tangible. Every step of the way students are enriched with the know how, and the discipline it takes to be a diver, To include not just being taught how to be the best at the job, but character building. I’ve seen men come into their own before my eyes, like a transformation. It is a synergistic atmosphere, that feeds off of brotherhood (and sisterhood) and gains continuous momentum. Nobody on this campus will let anyone fail if you are in their hands. I hold the utmost respect for the instructors here, who I also now consider life long mentors. The confidence that is instilled at Florida Commercial Diving Institute is unmatched. I am so very thankful to have had the opportunity to be apart of this family, and honored to walk in the footsteps of those have guided me here. I am grateful for these willing examples who have taken it upon themselves to pass the torch.
Mike Weekly
5 months ago
Great place to learn and receive your commercial diver certs.
Abel Sosa
7 months ago
The right envirorment for those who want to excel into a career outside of traditional school systems. There's saltier talent here than Americas Got talent at the Beach Florida edition. Camaraderie is so strong you feel like you are getting waivers for MEPS just to get into service with a 1¼ sleeve and a maskable psychological disorder from upbringings due to how much your peers want you to succeed. If you want to be the best version of yourself with a pre deployment certification intended to leap you into an thrilling adventure light-years ahead of what you could explore at Dominos delivering pies, then this is home for the next 7 months. If you are still reading this then you should walk a mile and bury that fear 6 foot deeper than your great aunt Sally, and not tell anyone about your goals and dreams. This place doesn't build weak individuals. See you on the 1st monday of the month!
Emily Simpson
11 months ago
My family has had the pleasure of working with the team here, to get our Daughter into this program. Josh, Chris and Sid have been amazing. From the 1st call for information, taking a tour, helping with paperwork, resources for financial support, how to get required physicals and equipment, you name it, this team is knowledgeable and extremely helpful. If you are looking to get into this field, this is THE Team and program to join.
Kraig Berberich
1 year ago
My time at FCDI was invaluable. Sid and the staff went above and beyond to ensure I got absolutely everything I could out of their cutting and welding course. Plenty of in water time along with guidance from an experienced diver/instructor set me up for success.
Reese Orwig
1 year ago
Great school, great skills learned, great atmosphere, but the BEST instructors
Kevin Lakey
1 year ago
One of the only places if not the only place in the country to get an underwater welding and cutting certification. Great crew, they truly care about their school. Owner Sid is a wealth of knowledge who truly cares about the commercial diving community. I leaned some valuable skills in taking this course.
Jon Peters
1 year ago
Florida Commercial Diving Institute exceeded my expectations in every way. Sid and his entire staff were extremely knowledgeable on every aspect of diving. I would recommend this facility to anyone looking for a dive school.
Jessie Mills
1 year ago
Great instruction and facility for commercial diver training. Safe and informative
Jack Zimmerman
1 year ago
I don't think I'll ever be able to say enough good things about FCDI. I have been a student here for 4 months and I have loved every minute of it. Between the two instructors Doug and Mike and the two owners Sid and Josh, I am learning so much more than I ever thought was possible as a diver. Not only in the classroom but in the water too where we apply practical dive training to cement what we learn from our textbooks. Already there have been multiple recruiters from dive compaines coming to the school to tell us what they are looking for out in the field and how to hit the ground running when we graduate. Every instructor here seems to genuinely care not just about what kind of diver you'll be when you leave but also about the kind of person you are now and can be in the future. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to be at FCDI and I wouldn't trade it for the world. To anyone looking at a career in diving, FCDI will give you everything you need and more to succeed.
Kristine Karlson
1 year ago
This school is the best thing that ever happened to me. Learning safety procedures, classroom work, and daily dives really developed my skills to be a confident proficient diver. The instructors, Doug and Mike are former Navy divers and are very knowledgeable and helpful. The administrators/owners Sid and Josh are equally knowledgeable and helpful. All the certifications upon completion make it well worth your time and money.
Jonathan Corbin
1 year ago
I attended Florida Commercial Diving Institute and acquired the necessary skills I need to become a
Commercial diver. The owners Sid and Josh care more than just the tuition fee. They make sure you
Leave with the knowledge you need to be safe and effective as a commercial diver. Very real and caring guys. Mike and Doug are great instructors , sometimes hard on you, but for good reason. This school and the staff have changed my life and would recommend this facility to anyone looking to get into the field of
Commercial diving.
Commercial diver. The owners Sid and Josh care more than just the tuition fee. They make sure you
Leave with the knowledge you need to be safe and effective as a commercial diver. Very real and caring guys. Mike and Doug are great instructors , sometimes hard on you, but for good reason. This school and the staff have changed my life and would recommend this facility to anyone looking to get into the field of
Commercial diving.
Brayden Card
1 year ago
This is a great school to go to if you want memories good friends that have the same interests and a great place you can have fun and still learn a lot I have had a lot of great laughs and still am. I will remember this school for a life time and will recommend everyone to come here. They are always on top of safety and they always want the best for you. I have noting really bad to say about this place. The admin are all really knowledgeable about everything in diving so really pay attention because I have learned a lot from all of them. FCDI is a place I will always remember and recommend to everyone who is looking into this career path! CLASS OF 2410!!
Manuel V
1 year ago
Brandon Perera
3 years ago
If I could give more than 5 stars I would. Ken, Sid, Daley, and Mike were all extremely informative and supportive of instilling safe diving practices. I received employment after graduation and my first job was offshore in the Gulf of Mexico for 4 months as a red hat. CDT Introduced me to the basics and I was able to gain respect amongst my coworkers and supervisors thanks to CDT. I was nominated for employee of the quarter after that stint by Phoenix and is still an honor to this day for I now know the intensity of working offshore, not for the faint-hearted. Thank you again CDT!
Lion of Judah
3 years ago
Bryan
3 years ago
DEEP6 DIVERS UNION
4 years ago
Good School. One of a few still open. Aside from that, I know the owners and they care. If you pick this school enjoy your diving in confidence and not fear. As most all the instructors have to much experience too count.
Angie Jeffries
4 years ago
There are areas that need work but the instructors have been great with my daughter and she has/is learning so much. Safety is taken more seriously compared to other programs. l will advise if they keep up the number of increasing admissions they’re going to need more space. Also more accommodations for changing/restroom/showers for female students. Overall best option in FL for this career choice.
Jennie Battaglia
4 years ago
Great school. Highly respectable teachers with tons of experience to pass onto the students. My son loves it and is learning a lot and cannot wait for his future in this field.
Steven Diver (ScubaSteve)
6 years ago
Great Instructors, lots of one on one time, you dive almost everyday, and the staff works hard to continuously update the facility to make sure you get the knowledge you need when you leave. I am glad I went to school here.
Watch Our Process
We Have Over 200 Years of Experience in The Commercial Diving Industry
Florida Commercial Diving Institute is a post-secondary vocational school designed to provide commercial diving, recreational diving, and maritime industries with entry-level and post-graduate personnel, who excel in knowledge, skills, safety, and work ethics. Our training is comprehensive, rigorous, and designed with individual student career objectives, abilities, and interests in mind.
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