PADI: Turn around time on c-cards

[Cozumel Wireless]

There is an option on the Certification Envelope (PIC) for expedited next day processing. (Extra cost)

You do get a temporary card that is valid for 90 days from the date of issue and all stores are supposed to honor that one. The preregistration might be even better than all of the above.

 

[mselenaous]

Most facilities are gracious about accepting temp cards. Even if your PIC is processed online, they can print you a temporary credential.

A couple of years ago I dealt with a student who didn't want to rely on the temp card only as he was moving out of the country the following week and didn't want to worry about the c-card reaching his new destination. He paid to FEDEX overnight the paper pic to PADI. I called PADI ahead of time and for a fee (I don't remember what it was) they processed same day received and FEDEXed back out. It was expensive to Fedex in both directions but the guy finished his cert on Monday and had his card on Friday.

 

[llqwyd]

depends completely on the dilligence of the dive shop and how quickly they process the paperwork. if they use online processing, you should see the cards in as little as 10 days.

 

[ptscuba]

HI

The actual processing time for a PIC on line is about 10 mins ( if that) and yes we can print out a temp card which includes your picture and is signed by the certifying instructor which is valid for 90 days. to complete a PIC on line the LDS must have acquired some PIC on lines from PADI and taken your photo which needs to be below 250kbs in size.

We find these then take approx 2 weeks to get the original to the student - seasonal fluctuations do occur however.

PAper PICs are more problamatic - you or the instructor can send off the completed PIC form but we have seen these take up to 3 months for the cert card to be sent to the student

Best advise - check your LDS does PIC's online and how they want your photo so you are prepared.

We can get through a nitrox course ( assuming all knowledge reviews completed in advance ) in a couple of hours max - it is a course well worth doing...