Professional Diver

Regulators
  • Health and Safety Executive
Nations
  • England
  • Scotland
  • Wales
Sectors
  • Construction and engineering
  • Education
  • Science
  • Law
  • Other
  • Security
  • Transport
  • Surveying

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Regulatory authority
Health and Safety Executive
Address

Redgrave Court
Merton Road
Bootle, Merseyside
L20 7HS

Phone number
+44 (0)3000 031 747

Regulation

Regulation summary

Any person at work who dives must hold a diving qualification which has been approved by HSE for the class of diving being undertaken.

Regulation type

Licence

Reserved activities

A person at work can only dive in a diving project if they hold a diving qualification approved by HSE for the class of diving being undertaken.

More about regulated activities and titles
https://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/index.htm

Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

There are a number of diver competence assessment organisations who provide training and assessment for those wishing to obtain an HSE diving qualification. HSE issues HSE SCUBA, HSE Surface Supplied, HSE Surface Supplied (Top Up) and HSE Closed Bell diver qualifications.

Some divers may follow one of the recreational training agency/organisation training programmes to achieve a qualification which is approved for diving in some classes of diving at work.

It is also possible to obtain diving qualifications within the British military. These qualifications are approved for diving in some classes of diving at work.

Professionals from other UK nations

Routes to recognition within the UK

There are separate qualification requirements for professional diving in Northern Ireland.

More about recognition within the UK
https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/diving

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
Some - qualifications from some countries may be recognised, but professionals from other countries will have to re-qualify
Summary of routes

For many of the classes of diving, the HSE List of Approved Diving Qualifications includes qualifications from some countries from outside the UK.

There are defined criteria for approval of non-UK diving qualifications.

More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
https://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/qualifications/index.htm

Registration

Registration requirements

None for a diver at work as an individual. There is a requirement for a company undertaking work as a diving contractor and employing a diver at work in Great Britain to provide notification of company details to HSE. In Northern Ireland, the requirement is to register with HSE Northern Ireland (HSENI).


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

The Diving at Work Regulations 1997

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.