How long does it take to receive certification?

[alan_lee]

Hi everyone and greetings from Singapore! I'd completed my Dive Control Specialist exams successfully in early April this year, and I was told that the paperwork would be submitted. However, I've yet to receive any notification from the LDS that my certification is ready. The reason for my worry is that the LDS (a sole proprietor) has been non-committal whenever I asked him about the status of my certification. Frankly, I'm not sure if the issue lies with the LDS or the local SSI office. Another LDS said that if I had my training records, I could submit it directly to the office, but therein lies the problem: the LDS has my training records. I've dropped the local SSI office an e-mail and I'm waiting for a reply from them. Does anyone know how long it takes for SSI to process new certifications and send them out? I intend to start on my instructor course soon, and I'm pretty much stuck without proof of me having taken (and passed) the course.

Cheers!

 

[clint@uniquescuba.com]

When I taught for SSI they were always Very Quick! to complete DiveCon registrations and send out the Cards.

You may want to contact SSI directly to find out if they have received your paperwork at all.

I don't know if anyone from SSI headquarters actually views the threads in this message board anymore, so a phone call may be your best bet.

 

[KY_BOB]

My LDS is on the ball and submits stuff quickly but within a week of completing both my nitrox and my Stress and Rescue classes, I had the cards in my hand.

Maybe there is a little more to processing a DiveCon cert than a simple CE class but it sounds like your shop dropped the ball.

 

[2905luvsbubbles]

When I completed my dive con and instructor courses, I recieved the cards and certificates pretty quickly. I would think that the problem is with the LDS

 

[alan_lee]

Cheers for the replies! Sigh.. I'd suspected for ages that it's probably a problem with my LDS. Problem is, I've had it with his crap and I wanna check with SSI International if they have indeed received my paperwork, and maybe highlight the problem. Seems like a number of his OW students took 6 months to receive their cards.

 

[carrielsal]

This definately sounds like the instructor has not submitted your paperwork. I had my professional login for SSI's website emailed me within a week or two and had my card not too long after that.
Carrie

 

[dive_gorilla]

It sounds like a problem with your LDS. I submit applications for C-Cards online and have them for my students within a week. Talk to SSI International. They'll get to the bottom of it.

 

[alan_lee]

Hi everyone, I just got a reply from SSI Singapore and was told that they'd not receive any paperwork regarding my Dive Control Specialist course!! I am so angry and at a loss over my options now. I've seen how the pro mess up the paperwork of others, now I really don't know what options I have cos the pro is avoiding my calls.

 

[carrielsal]

Is this the LDS that you will be associated with? Amazing. Are you currently assisting with classes? I would be concerned about insurance. When I was a Divecon In Training, we were covered by the shop's insurance policy, but you are now out of training and you cannot purchase insurance without your Divecon number.
There are instructors who immediately file all the paperwork with SSI after a class ends, and there are instructors who are a little slower, but 3 months? Have you called your instructor?
In a worse case scenario you could always file a complaint with SSI, but what would that do with your relationship with the LDS if this is the shop you will be associated with?
Unlike a PADI DM, the SSI divecon has to have that shop association.
Carrie

 

[tstormdiver]

For both my Dive Control Specilaist & Instructor certifications, I had to get everything toghter & submit it myself to SSI. The IT/IC, of course, signed off on everything, but it was my responsibilty to make sure all the paperwork was in order, I had my medical statement, my proof of first aid/ CPR & to mail it off. I submitted it & recieved my card & all within about 2 weeks.