ASI – Academy of Surfing Instructors

Renewal

ASI Instructors renew their certification annually to maintain active status and professional standards—no extra training needed, just complete the online form and upload required evidence.

Renewal Options & Fees

Your renewal is split into two components for flexibility:

1. Annual Membership Fee ($40 AUD)

Keeps your registered profile active, maintains your parking status, and preserves your account standing.
Paid annually.    Late payment fee applies if paid after due date: $40 AUD. 

2. Certification Renewal Fee ($55 AUD)

Covers all your ASI instructor qualifications (Surf, SUP, Bodyboard) under one single fee.

Inclusions: New 12-month instructor certificate, durable wallet ID card, digital instructor logo, and eligibility to apply as an ASI Accredited School/Provider.

Parking (Deferring) Your Certification

Taking a break or recovering from an injury? Keep your Annual Membership active to park your certification for up to 2 years without paying the certification renewal fee until you are ready to teach again. (Teaching is not permitted while parked).

Refund Policy: Renewal fees are non-refundable once processed.

Currency: All renewals are processed in Australian dollars (AUD).  currency converter

Renewal & Expiry Rules

  • Membership Validity: Runs for 12 months from your last payment date.
  • Instructor Certification Validity: Runs for 12 months from the date all requirements (form, fee, coaching log, and current rescue/first aid certificates) are approved.
  • Early Renewal Rollover: Renew up to 3 months before your expiry date—your new 12-month period adds directly onto your current expiry date so you never lose days.
  • 2-Year Reinstatement Window: Reopen a parked or expired certification anytime within 2 years by submitting your current credentials and fees without retaking a course.
  • Enrolled in Higher-Level Training? You must still renew your current qualification on time to remain valid while completing advanced courses.

3-Step Renewal Process

  1. Log In: Access your member area on the ASI website.
  2. Pay Fees & Complete Forms: Submit your Annual Membership and Certification Renewal forms.
  3. Submit Required Evidence:
    • Rescue & First Aid: Upload current (unexpired) certificates. Exemptions apply for wellness instructors-see below
    • Coaching Log:  Advise where you have completed least 25 hours of paid or voluntary coaching in the past 12 months (include school name, location & approx. dates/hours relative to your qualification level)
    • Level 4 Master Coaches: Also document delivering competition coaching to at least 2 athletes at a regional level or higher within the last 2 years.

Managing Your Account & Notifications

  • Different Expiry Dates: Your Membership and Certification fees are separate and may fall on different renewal dates. Check your active status anytime in the ASI Member Portal.
  • Automated Reminders: ASI emails reminder notifications 3 months prior to your renewal date. No follow-up reminders are sent after your expiry date passes.
  • Check Spam Folders: Ensure ASI emails are marked as safe so you never miss an expiry notice.

Other Information

Expired Instructor Certification Rules & Re-instatement

1. Expired Less Than 2 Years (Parked / Inactive)

Status: Your qualification enters a Parked / Deferred status. You are not permitted to teach as an ASI instructor while expired or parked.

How to Reactivate: You can reinstate your certification at any time within this 2-year window without needing to retake any training or update courses.

Requirements to Reactivate:
  • Ensure your Annual Membership Fee is fully paid and up to date.
  • Pay the Instructor Certification Renewal Fee.
  • Submit valid, unexpired First Aid and Rescue certificates.
  • Submit your Coaching Log (when you last completed 25 hours over the previous 3 years).
New Expiry Date: Once verified, your new 12-month certification period begins from the date your payment and certificates are approved.
 
2. Expired Between 2 and 4 Years

Status: Standard renewal is no longer permitted.

How to Reactivate: You must enrol in and complete an Update Course (online course, special update rates apply). Find courses
 
3. Expired More Than 4 Years

Status: Qualification is permanently lapsed.

How to Reactivate: Renewal or update courses are not permitted. You must re-enrll and complete the full instructor course again from scratch.

First Aid Requirements

All instructors are required to hold a first aid certificate that aligns with ASI requirements.  
Certificate Validity: Not expired and no more than 3 years old.
Acceptable certificates
 

Rescue Requirements

ASI Instructors are required to hold a valid water rescue certificate appropriate for outdoor locations. Pool rescue certificates are not accepted.

Acceptable Certificates 

ASI provides both SUP Rescue and Surf Rescue training courses, available online and through workshops.   Find Courses 

Find acceptable rescue certificates. Find

Combined Rescue with Aid Certificates: A single certificate that covers both rescue and aid skills. Available in limited countries

Certificate Validity: 

Surf Rescue certificates: Not expired, and no more than 24 months old (for Australia, not more than 12 months old)

SUP Rescue certificates: (Not expired, and no more than 24 months old).


Surfing and Bodyboarding Instructors:

A Surf Rescue certificate is mandatory for all ASI Instructors teaching in surf conditions. 

SUP Instructors: 

SUP Instructors can provide either a Surf Rescue certificate or a Flat Water Rescue certificate, depending on their operating environment. Flat Water Rescue certificates are suitable for SUP Instructors working in inland waters or exposed coastal waters without surf.

SUP Surfing and SUP Downwinding Instructors:  require a Surf Rescue certificate.

SUP Wellness Instructors (Yoga, Fitness, Pilates):  are exempt from holding a rescue certificate, as these activities are performed in waist-deep water, within 50 metres of the shore.