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How To Check If A Travel Agency Is Licensed

Published: November 29, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Jan Wardell

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Introduction

Welcome to the world of travel! Planning a trip can be an exciting and invigorating experience, filled with anticipation for all the adventures that lie ahead. Whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, it’s important to ensure that you have a safe and hassle-free journey. One crucial aspect of travel planning is choosing a reliable and reputable travel agency to handle your bookings and arrangements. But how can you be sure that the agency you’re considering is trustworthy? That’s where checking for a travel agency’s license comes in.

When it comes to travel, trust is everything. A licensed travel agency provides you with a sense of security, assuring you that they have fulfilled the necessary requirements and regulations to operate in the industry. By verifying a travel agency’s license, you can ensure that they have the expertise and credibility to handle your travel needs professionally and efficiently.

In this article, we will explore the importance of checking for a travel agency’s license and outline various ways to verify the legitimacy of a travel agency. By following these steps, you can confidently choose a licensed travel agency that will help you create unforgettable memories while ensuring your safety along the way.

Why It’s Important to Check for a Travel Agency’s License

Choosing a travel agency is like selecting a trusted partner to guide you through your travel journey. A licensed travel agency provides several important benefits that can make a significant difference in your travel experience. Here’s why it’s crucial to check for a travel agency’s license:

1. Legal Compliance: A licensed travel agency operates within the legal framework set by the governing bodies. They adhere to specific regulations and guidelines to ensure ethical practices in the industry. By working with a licensed agency, you can have peace of mind, knowing that your travel arrangements are being handled by professionals who are compliant with the law.

2. Consumer Protection: Licensed travel agencies are required to meet certain financial and insurance obligations to protect their clients. These protections may include measures such as securing client funds in a protected account and having liability insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances. By booking with a licensed agency, you have a safety net in case of financial or service-related issues.

3. Expertise and Professionalism: Obtaining a license involves demonstrating knowledge and expertise in the travel industry. Licensed travel agencies often have experienced and well-trained staff who can provide valuable advice, recommendations, and assistance. They have access to industry resources, networks, and the latest information, ensuring that you receive the best possible service and travel options.

4. Accountability: In the event of any disputes or issues, a licensed travel agency is held accountable for their actions. They are bound by a code of conduct and are subject to regulatory oversight. This means that if you encounter any problems during your travel, you have channels to seek resolution and recourse.

5. Trust and Reliability: Checking for a travel agency’s license is a way to build trust and establish the credibility of the agency. It signifies that they have met the necessary requirements and standards to operate in the industry. This can give you confidence in their ability to handle your travel arrangements competently and responsibly.

In summary, verifying a travel agency’s license is essential for your peace of mind, financial protection, and the overall success of your travel plans. It ensures that you are working with a legitimate and trustworthy agency that has the knowledge, resources, and professionalism to make your journey a memorable one.

Ways to Verify a Travel Agency’s License

Now that you understand the importance of checking for a travel agency’s license, let’s explore the various methods you can use to verify the legitimacy of a travel agency. Here are some effective ways to ensure that the agency you’re considering is licensed:

• Check with the relevant authorities: Contact the appropriate government or regulatory bodies in your country or region to verify the travel agency’s license. These authorities may include tourism boards, licensing agencies, or consumer protection organizations. They can provide you with information on the agency’s licensing status, validity, and any disciplinary actions against them.
• Search online databases: Many countries have online databases or portals where you can search for licensed travel agencies. These databases are maintained by the government or relevant industry associations. Simply enter the name or registration number of the agency to access their licensing information.
• Look for physical proof of licensing: When visiting a travel agency’s office or website, keep an eye out for any physical proof of licensing. This may include displayed licenses, certificates, or membership stickers from recognized industry associations. These tangible indications can provide assurance of the agency’s legitimacy.
• Request a copy of the agency’s license: It is your right as a consumer to request a copy of the travel agency’s license. Reach out to the agency directly and ask them to provide you with their license details. A reputable agency will be transparent and willing to provide you with the necessary documents to verify their licensing status.

By utilizing these verification methods, you can ensure that you are dealing with a licensed travel agency and minimize the risk of falling victim to scams, fraudulent practices, or unprofessional service providers. Taking the time to verify a travel agency’s license is a proactive step in safeguarding your travel investment and ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Check with the relevant authorities

One of the most reliable ways to verify the license of a travel agency is to check with the relevant government or regulatory authorities. These organizations are responsible for overseeing and licensing travel agencies in your country or region. By contacting them, you can obtain accurate and up-to-date information regarding the agency’s licensing status. Here’s how to go about it:

• Identify the appropriate authority: Start by identifying the relevant authority that governs travel agencies in your country. This may be a tourism board, department of consumer affairs, or a specific licensing agency. Conduct some research or reach out to your local government office to determine the correct organization to contact.
• Get in touch: Once you have identified the relevant authority, contact them directly. They may have a dedicated phone line, email address, or an online inquiry form for license verification. Reach out to them and provide them with the name or registration number of the travel agency you want to verify.
• Ask for licensing information: Request the licensing information of the travel agency. This may include the agency’s name, license number, expiration date, and any relevant details regarding their compliance with regulations. The authorities should be able to provide you with accurate and reliable information about the agency’s licensing status.
• Verify the information: Once you receive the licensing information, take the time to verify its authenticity. Cross-check the details provided by the authority with any other sources, such as the agency’s website or physical office. This helps ensure that the information you’ve been given is accurate.

Checking with the relevant authorities is a foolproof method to verify the license of a travel agency. It allows you to obtain trustworthy information directly from the governing bodies responsible for regulating travel agencies. By doing so, you can have peace of mind knowing that the agency you are considering is operating legally and in compliance with industry standards.

Search online databases

Another effective way to verify the license of a travel agency is by searching online databases. Many countries have established online platforms or portals where you can access information about licensed travel agencies. These databases are typically maintained by government agencies or industry associations, and they provide a convenient and reliable method to verify the legitimacy of a travel agency. Here’s how you can use online databases to check for a travel agency’s license:

• Identify the relevant online database: Start by identifying the online database or portal that contains information about licensed travel agencies. This can usually be found on the website of the government agency responsible for regulating travel agencies or through a quick online search. Pay attention to the credibility and official nature of the database you are using.
• Access the database: Once you have identified the appropriate database, access it through the provided link or by following the instructions on the website. Some databases may require you to create an account or provide certain details to perform a search, while others may be freely accessible to the public.
• Enter the agency’s information: Enter the name or registration number of the travel agency you want to verify into the search field of the online database. Provide any additional required information, such as location or contact details, to refine your search and ensure accurate results.
• Review the licensing information: Once you submit the search, the online database will provide you with information about the agency’s license. This may include the agency’s name, license number, registration date, expiration date, and any disciplinary actions or complaints against them. Take the time to review this information and ensure that the agency’s details match the ones provided by the database.

Searching online databases is a convenient and efficient method to verify the license of a travel agency. It allows you to access official and up-to-date information about the agency’s licensing status. By using these online resources, you can independently verify the legitimacy of a travel agency and make an informed decision about whether to engage their services.

Look for physical proof of licensing

When considering a travel agency, one way to verify their license is by looking for physical proof of licensing. This involves examining the agency’s office or website for any visible indications that they are licensed to operate. Here are some steps you can take to look for physical proof of licensing:

• Visit the agency’s office: If possible, visit the physical office of the travel agency. Look for any certificates, licenses, or permits displayed prominently. These may be on the reception desk, walls, or any visible area. Licensed agencies usually showcase these credentials as a sign of their credibility and authenticity.
• Check their website: If you are unable to visit the office in person, explore the travel agency’s website. Look for any logos, symbols, or statements indicating their license or membership with recognized industry associations. Reputable agencies often place these credentials in the footer, header, or an “About Us” section of their website.
• Verify the license information: Once you find any indications of licensing, verify the information provided. Cross-check the license number or other details with the relevant authorities or online databases. This will help ensure that the displayed proof is genuine and up-to-date.
• Contact the agency: If you have any doubts or questions regarding their licensing, contact the travel agency directly. Ask them for confirmation or clarification regarding their license, and request any additional documentation if necessary. A legitimate agency will be transparent and willing to provide you with the required proof.

Looking for physical proof of licensing provides you with tangible evidence of a travel agency’s legitimacy. It helps you assess their commitment to compliance with industry regulations and showcases their professionalism. However, it is important to verify the authenticity of the displayed proof by cross-checking the information with reliable sources or reaching out to the agency directly.

Request a copy of the agency’s license

If you want to further ensure the legitimacy of a travel agency, you can directly request a copy of their license. This method allows you to obtain official documentation as proof of their licensing status. Here’s how you can request a copy of the agency’s license:

• Contact the agency: Reach out to the travel agency through their contact information provided on their website, social media platforms, or any other available channels. This can be done via phone, email, or even in person if you’re visiting their office.
• Express your request: Politely explain that you are considering their services and would like to verify their licensing status. Request a copy of their license to ensure that they are operating legally and according to industry standards. A reputable agency will generally be open and forthcoming with this information.
• Verify the license: Once you receive a copy of the agency’s license, take the time to review and verify its authenticity. Check the license number, issuing authority, dates, and other pertinent details. Cross-reference this information with the relevant authorities or online databases to ensure that it is valid and up-to-date.
• Follow up with additional queries: If you have any further questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to follow up with the agency. This can include asking about their affiliations, certifications, or additional proof of their legitimacy. Reputable agencies will be responsive and willing to address your queries to instill confidence in their services.

Requesting a copy of the agency’s license is a proactive way to verify their legitimacy and their commitment to transparent business practices. It demonstrates your seriousness as a consumer and can provide you with the necessary reassurance before entrusting them with your travel arrangements. Remember to always verify the authenticity of the license by cross-checking the information with reliable sources.

Consequences of Using an Unlicensed Travel Agency

Choosing to work with an unlicensed travel agency can have serious repercussions for your travel experience. Here are some potential consequences that you may face by using the services of an unlicensed agency:

• Lack of Legal Protection: Unlicensed travel agencies operate outside the realm of legal regulations and oversight. This means that you are not protected by any consumer rights or legal remedies in case of any issues or disputes with the agency. You may be at a higher risk of financial loss, poor service quality, or even scams.
• Risk of Fraudulent Practices: Unlicensed travel agencies are more likely to engage in fraudulent practices, such as selling fake airline tickets or hotel reservations, overcharging customers, or disappearing with advance payments. These practices can result in financial losses and a ruined travel experience.
• Lack of Accountability: Unlicensed agencies typically do not have any accountability to regulatory bodies or industry standards. This means that there are no mechanisms in place to hold them responsible for unsatisfactory services, unethical behavior, or breaches of contract. It may be challenging to seek compensation or resolve any issues that arise during your travel.
• Potential Health and Safety Risks: Unlicensed agencies may not adhere to safety standards, putting your health and well-being at risk. They may book you into unsafe accommodations, arrange transportation with unlicensed or poorly maintained vehicles, or neglect proper travel insurance coverage. These factors can jeopardize your safety during your journey.
• Lost or Limited Refund Options: In the event of travel disruptions, such as flight cancellations or destination closures, unlicensed agencies may not have the necessary financial resources or systems in place to provide you with a refund or alternative arrangements. This can result in significant financial loss and inconvenience.

By using the services of an unlicensed travel agency, you expose yourself to numerous risks, ranging from financial losses to compromised safety. It is crucial to prioritize the security and success of your journey by ensuring that you work with a licensed and reputable travel agency that complies with industry standards and best practices.

Ensuring that you choose a licensed travel agency is essential for a safe and enjoyable travel experience. By verifying a travel agency’s license, you can have confidence that they operate within the legal framework, adhere to industry standards, and prioritize your protection as a consumer. Checking for a travel agency’s license can be done through various methods such as contacting relevant authorities, searching online databases, looking for physical proof of licensing, and requesting a copy of the agency’s license.

Choosing an unlicensed travel agency can have serious consequences, including lack of legal protection, risk of fraudulent practices, limited accountability, potential health and safety risks, and limited refund options. To avoid these pitfalls, it is crucial to prioritize due diligence when selecting a travel agency and ensuring they are properly licensed.

In conclusion, taking the time to verify a travel agency’s license is a critical step in safeguarding your travel investment and ensuring a smooth and worry-free journey. It allows you to work with a reputable and trustworthy agency that has the necessary expertise, compliance, and commitment to provide you with exceptional service and peace of mind throughout your travel experience.

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An Overview On Travel Agent Licensing Requirements In The USA and Canada Go Back Button

You are considering becoming a professional travel agent, so you start doing your research on all the things you need to start selling travel. One of the things you may research or come across is licensing. Do you need licensing to start selling travel? The answer to that question is broken down below to hopefully provide you with the clarity you need to move forward.

Travel Agent Licensing Requirements For Travel Agents In The United States

The licensing requirements in the US for travel agents is not much of a licensing process. There are no testing, training or qualification process needed. All that is required is to complete a simple form, pay a small fee and just like that, you can start selling travel in the USA. There are certain states however that have their individual "Seller Of Travel Requirements." These states are California, Florida, Iowa, Washington and Hawaii. We will look at the individual licensing requirements for those later on in this article for those looking to trade in travel products and services in any of those 5 states. 

Travel Agent Licensing Requirements For Travel Agents In Canada

Selling travel legally in Canada is not so easy as in the US. This is especially so for those living in the province of Ontario. Anyone selling travel products and services in the Province of Ontario must be a registered member of the Travel Industry Council Of Ontario (TICO) or affiliated with a registered member of TICO. There are two different types of TICO registration requirements. If you are looking to start your own travel agency, you must complete the TICO application, qualification, training and registration process to obtain a TICO registration number. If you are looking to simply sell travel, you must first complete the TICO Exam then join a TICO registered travel agency.

So here are the requirements for Travel Agents and Agencies In Ontario

A) Travel Agency must be TICO registered with a TICO number to employ or host travel agents.

B) All members of that Travel Agency, selling or giving advice for travel services, must complete the TICO Exam.

To write the TICO Exam, you must first download and read the TICO education standard manual. This manual provides you with a list of rules, guidelines and etiquette you must follow when selling travel in the province of Ontario. Once you have completed the manual, which should take no longer than one to two weeks, you then need to register for exam at one of the approved centers. You can find a list of upcoming exams on the ACTA (Association Of Canadian Travel Agents) website. The course registration fee is only $35, and there are a few courses you can take. You can either take the Travel Counselors course of if you have and can show experience in the industry you can take the travel manager/supervisor course. The combined courses will cost you $50.

To run your own TICO registered travel agency is not as easy and cost friendly as completing the exam to sell travel through an agency that is already certified. If you are thinking of starting your own TICO registered travel agency, here are the list of requirements:

-   You will need to come up with an application fee of $3000 CDN

-   You must provide your tax returns to show proof of financial stability

-   You will need to show evidence of a minimum $5000 in working capital

-   You will need to provide a $10,000 bond that TICO will hold for two years

-   You will need to open a trust account where all funds you collect for travel must be held.

-   You will need to register your travel business with Service Ontario

TICO registration numbers are non-transferable, so there are no options to buy out an already existing TICO certified travel agency. Starting a travel agency in the province of Ontario is among the hardest if not the hardest in the industry, so if you are new to the business and you are living in Ontario, the easiest thing to do is work through a host agency that is already TICO certified.

British Colombia Travel Agency Licensing Requirements

To start a travel agency in British Columbia, Canada, you are required by the Insurance Council of British Colombian to take a travel insurance exam for a fee of $225 per year. That licensing will be tied to the Agency, and each agent will be required to take the exam once, and then maintain by taking a 2-hour course each year. A 2-year lapse or non-activity will require the agency to start the process all over again.

There are some additional fees and certification requirements for sellers of travel residing in British Columbia.

-   You must register with the BC Corporate Registry

-   You must register with Consumer Protection BC

If you are a hosted agent working under an Agency located in BC, you will need to apply for a branch location of your host agency in British Columbia.

Saskatchewan Colombia Travel Agency Licensing Requirements

Similarly to British Colombia, getting licensed to sell travel in Saskatchewan Canada is insurance based. The tow exams that’s required to be written and passed are the General Insurance Council of Saskatchewan (GICS)—the Qualifying Exam (online: $109 CAD + taxes) and the Travel Bylaw Exam (online: $55 CAD + taxes). The bylaw exam is an open book exam, so you do not need to worry too much about passing it.

US Travel Agency Licensing Requirements Per State

Even though getting your travel business up and running on the national level in the United States is pretty much hassle free, some states have implemented their own registration procedures that may make things a little bit more complicated. 5 States have their own Seller of Travel laws in place. Those states are California, Florida, Washington, Iowa, and Hawaii. These laws are what is called extraterritorial laws that do not just apply to those residing in the above-mentioned states, but those outside of the states selling travel to the residents of those states.

In the State of Delaware, if you plan on opening your travel agency there, you will need an occupational license that can be obtained for the nominal fee of $25. The same procedure is said to be in Lousiana but does not seem to be enforced. When it comes to Seller Of Travel licensing requirements, Louisiana and Delaware are hardly mentioned. It is the 5 primary states mentioned above that is worth paying close attention to.

Hawaii Seller Of Travel Requirements

Hawaii Seller of travel laws states that anyone acting as an intermediary between a person looking to buy travel products and services, and anyone that wishes sell travel products and services, must first register with the Hawaii Travel Agent Licensing Program. All travel agencies, chartered tour operators residing in Hawaii is required to register at the end of each odd-numbered year. The bi-annual registration fee is $140. For those living outside of the State of Hawaii but wish to do business in Hawaii, must apply for a Certificate of Authority to sell trade in travel products and services in the state of Hawaii. The registration cost is $25 per year. For full details of these and other requirements, contact the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

California Seller Of Travel Requirements

Anyone that sells, offers consultation, or offers travel products and travel-related services in the state of California or from n office located in California, is required to be registered as a California Seller Of Travel. This is also including anyone selling or distributing travel certificates, a coupon, vouchers, passes, are all required to comply with the California State Seller Of Travel Laws. Failing to register may result in penalties, a cease and desist order and the possibility of criminal charges.

There are two registration programs for travel businesses located in California. Once is the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation which manages the handling of customer funds and the other is the California Seller Of Travel Program (CST) that is administered and upheld by the California Attorney General. Out of state agencies are only required to register for the CST. The California seller of travel law is strictly enforced and travel agencies conducting business are required to display their CST number on any marketing material promoting of offering travel services in the State of California.

Florida Seller Of Travel Requirements

In the sate of Florida, anyone seeking to sell travel products or travel related services must register with the Department of Agriculture of Consumer Services. The Seller Of Travel registration requirements applies to all persons offering pre-arranged travel packages, tourist related services, guided tours for Land, Air and Sea.

The state requires a bond of $50,000 and extensive disclosures in order to obtain a Seller Of Travel license. Independent travel agents are not required to post the bond but must meet the other mandatory requirements.

Iowa Seller of Travel Requirements

It is a requirement in the state of Iowa that all sellers of travel register with the department of Economic Development. This applies to anyone selling or offer consultation for travel products and travel-related services.

Washington Seller Of Travel Requirements

The State of Washington has a seller of travel registration requirement done through the Department of Licensing. There are also certain financial requirements and securities that needs to be in place. A travel business can become exempt from these fees is certain business standards are met and funds and consumer funds collected for travel are being held properly.

When looking to get licensing to sell travel, the best thing to do is thoroughly research the laws in your local area. This is another place where the value of a Host Agency comes in. By contacting a host agency, they will not only be able to save you time and money of the licensing and registration process; they will be able to provide you with a lot of the information you are looking for.

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Raise your hand if you love to travel. Whether you’re often on the road or take a vacation just once a year, you’ve probably heard of travel agents. These folks help plan and book itineraries for you, eliminating a lot of the pain points when it comes to traveling.

These days many people skip out on a travel agent in lieu of booking their trip online, but if you’re a frequent traveler, you may want to become a travel agent yourself. Why? Because it can save you a lot of money — and may even earn you some in the process.

Let’s take a look at how to become a travel agent, why it’s something you may want to consider and the ways it can work for you.

Why become a travel agent?

Have you ever obsessively researched the best hotels in a city you’re planning to visit? How about checking seat maps on an airplane? If getting into the nitty-gritty of travel logistics is something you do in your spare time, you might also enjoy becoming a travel agent.

Not only do you get to plan trips for others, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of special discounts on many facets of travel.

This is true for your clients, but also for yourself. Travel agents have access to a variety of discounted rates on both airlines and hotels, even when booking travel for themselves.

» Learn more: How to get a refund from a travel agency

How to become a travel agent

Find a program.

Becoming a travel agent isn’t as simple as declaring yourself one. Typically, the first step is to sign up for a program that’ll teach you the basics of running your own travel business.

There are a variety of programs to choose from, depending on your interests and career goals. Most programs will teach you about the business side of being a travel agent as well as how to plan trips, so your courses in itinerary planning and travel insurance will be coupled with business ethics and customer service.

If you’re wondering how to become a travel agent from home, don’t worry. Many of these courses don’t have to be done in person; there are online programs that will teach you everything you need to know from the comfort of your living room.

Apply for certification

Once you’ve completed your coursework, you’ll want to apply for certification. Although there is no single standard that designates you a travel agent, there are a number of different identifiers that you can acquire. Some of the more common ones are:

International Air Transport Association, or IATA, which allows you to book travel on domestic and international airlines.

Travel Industry Designator Service, or TIDS, which allows agents to book trips with a variety of travel suppliers and receive commissions.

Cruise Lines International Association, or CLIA, which provides agents the ability to book trips on cruises around the world.

In order to access Marriott’s travel advisor rates, for example, you can use any three of these designations, along with a variety of others.

Each of these associations and identifiers have different implications for your business, so you’ll want to be sure you’ve fully researched them before applying for membership.

» Learn more: Do travel agents really save you money?

Save money as a travel agent

Once you’ve qualified as a travel agent, what comes next? If you travel frequently, becoming a travel agent can be a huge benefit to you, as it offers discounted rates and access to luxury travel options.

Discounted rates

Travel agents have access to negotiated rates that aren’t available to the general public. The exact amount will vary depending on the business. Hilton, for example, will give personal travel discounts of 50% off at newly-opened hotels and up to 25% off at the remainder of hotels within Hilton’s portfolio.

Hyatt, meanwhile, will give you a discount on personal travel of up to 50%, but only during select dates of the year. And although not all airlines give discounts to travel agents, many do.

Regardless, these are some pretty spectacular savings, and if you’re looking to save money on your vacations, being a travel agent can help.

Luxury programs

Becoming a travel agent isn’t only about saving money, however. It also grants you access to many hotel chains’ luxury travel programs.

If you’re big into elite status benefits, this is definitely something you’ll want to consider — especially since you don’t need any status at all to receive these perks, as long as you book through the hotel’s agent portal.

Most major hotel chains have these programs, including Hyatt Privé, Hilton Impresario, Marriott STARS & Luminous, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Belmond Bellini Club, Rosewood Elite, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club and Shangri-La Luxury Circle.

While benefits vary by brand, many of these offers include things like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, early check-in or late checkout and credits for expenses like dining or spa services. General consumers aren’t eligible for these programs, but once you’ve become a registered travel agent, they become accessible to you; however, some programs — such as Hyatt Privé — are invitation only.

For the most part, booking rooms through these programs shouldn’t cost more than the standard rate you’d be paying anyway, so you have the potential to get big benefits without shelling out any additional money.

However, note that these numbers don’t take into account any other discounted rates for which you may be eligible, such as those offered to American Automobile Association members and veterans .

» Learn more: Uncommon tips for saving money on travel

Earn money as a travel agent

Of course, becoming a travel agent isn’t all about scoring discounts for yourself. If you’re looking to earn some money, being a travel agent can be a good way to do so.

Note that travel agents operate in a customer-facing role, so you’ll also need to be able to build client relationships and be comfortable with sales. Courses such as those mentioned above can help train you to do this and run a successful business.

If booking travel and organizing trips for others is something that appeals to you, there’s definitely money to be earned. Marriott, for example, gives agents a commission of between 8% and 10% for all eligible stays booked.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of booking through online travel agencies

If you’d like to become a travel agent

There are a few good reasons to become a travel agent, especially if you travel a lot. Although it takes time and effort to complete training and apply for accreditation, the benefits you’ll receive as a travel advisor can be significant. This is true whether you’re booking personal travel or have built yourself a client base. Either way, there’s money to be had — and saved.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Travel Agent License + Seller of Travel Registration: Do You Need Them in 2024?

So, you want to become a travel agent and now you're wondering what's next. Do you need a travel agent license to get started? Is their travel agency licensing on the federal level? The state level?

Here's the quick answer to your travel agent license question: Depending on what state you live in — or if you sell to residents who live in states with seller of travel (SOT) requirements — the answer is yes, you may need one.

We're glad you're here because we're going to tell you, in laymen's terms, how to get the travel agency licensing you need.

What Is a Travel Agent License or Seller of Travel Registration?

First thing to know: we'll use the term travel agent license and seller of travel (SOT) registration interchangeably.

Normal people would call it a travel agent license but since it's not actually a license, the states call it seller of travel registrations. Po-tay-toes, po-tah-toes.

You might be envisioning that a travel agency license requires:

• travel agent training requirements,
• tests your industry knowledge,
• or lays out continuing education requirements.

Well, it doesn't. :) It's best to think of a travel agency license more like a registration, which is why they're formally called Seller of Travel registrations.

Federal + State Travel Agent Licensing

Let's start with the good news: On the national/federal level, a seller of travel license is not required . The US government isn't looking to cash in on travel agencies through registration/licensing fees. Phew!

The travel agent license thing changes a bit when it comes to the state level. While this may sound like a bummer, there's more good news . . . very few states (only four) have travel agent licensing requirements.

In the US, there are four states that have Seller of Travel (SOT) registrations: Hawaii, Washington, Florida, and California.

When we talk about The Big Four SOT States ® , we're talking about California (CA), Florida (FL), Hawaii (HI), and Washington (WA).

1. California Seller of Travel

2. Florida Seller of Travel

3. Washington Seller of Travel

4. Hawaii Seller of Travel

5. Other states with travel agency regulations

How do I know if I need a Seller of Travel Registration?

How do you know if you need a Florida Seller of Travel, California Seller of Travel, Washington Seller of Travel or Hawaii Seller of Travel registration?

If I had to summarize this entire article in two sentences it would go like this: If your agency is based in or you have clients in California, Florida, Washington, or Hawaii you will need to register as a seller of travel for those respective states.

If this isn't you, then congratulations! You're dismissed from HAR's travel agency license class.

If you are one of the lucky advisors who operate in or sell to clients in HI, WA, FL, or CA then congratulations to you too, because you're about to sound really knowledgeable at travel industry events when someone asks you about Seller of Travel registrations!

The thing to know about Florida's seller of travel, California's seller of travel and Washington and Hawaii's is that they aren't just contained to state lines.

If you live in New York but you're booking a client that lives in California, Florida, Washington or Hawaii, guess what? You're expected to comply with the Big Four laws.

The Seller of Travel for California, Florida, Hawaii, and Washington apply to any agency that does business with residents of those states. — Daniel Zim

Here's a great explanation from Daniel Zim, travel attorney 1 :

"The Seller of Travel for California, Florida, Hawaii and Washington apply to any agency that does business with residents of those states. They are extraterritorial laws meaning that the law extends far beyond the borders of the state. The business does not have to reside in the regulating state, the business could reside anywhere in the world but it would have to comply with California, Florida, Hawaii and Washington."

Next up, we'll take a high-level look at things with our infographic, and then we'll start diving deeper into the nuances and intricacies state by state.

I want to warn you that it may seem overwhelming . But don't worry. You only need to focus on the requirements in states that apply to you. Plus, once you figure out what you need and apply for your travel agency license, you're good to go!

A Visually Pleasing Way to Look at Seller of Travel Laws

We whipped up this neat infographic for you! It's a visual rundown of:

Florida Seller of Travel

California Seller of Travel

Washington Seller of Travel

and Hawaii Seller of Travel

It breaks down cost and complicated info into an easy-to-read visual. If you want to shortcut to a state, just click on the state you want in the infographic.

You have to enter your email to see the infographic, but I promise, it's worth it :). It's a less visually busy way to look at things.

California Seller of Travel + Travel Agency License: Do You Need One & How to Apply

Let's start with the doozie. California.

Because they're one of the Big Four SOT States ®, if your travel agency is located in California or you book clients who reside in California, you may need a travel agency license/ seller of travel number in California.

California's Seller of Travel + travel agency license is different in a few ways:

• They have a consumer restitution fund that all sellers of travel participate in and pay into.
• In addition to registering as a California seller of travel, you need to register for a business ID, even if you're not located in CA.

California seller of travel + Travel Agency LICENSE: exemptions

I know, increased regulations make your eyes glaze over. BUT, these regulations come with good tidings if you're a (relatively) small businesses.

If you meet all of the exemptions below , you do not need your own California travel agency license / seller of travel number!

1. Your business model is: Sole Proprietor, single-member LLC, or single-shareholder S Corp.

2. You are selling through your host, with your host's accreditation number.

3. You use your host's accreditation for all bookings (no booking direct, booking under your own accreditation or bypassing the host).

4. All fees (consultation/service fees) must be processed through the host agency. ( more on service fees and seller of travel laws )

5. Clients must pay host or supplier directly. (No taking cash. Checks would need to be made out to the host agency.)

6. You must disclose to every sale that you belong to a host, including the host's name, address, phone number and CA SOT registration number.

7. You have a written contract with a host agency that has a CA SOT. 

To find out if a host agency has a California travel agency license, visit our host agency list and check the company details section:

California Seller of travel + Travel Agency LICENSE: How to APPLY

Here's the steps to apply for California's seller of travel and travel agency license:

1. Register your business with California's Secretary of State

Register for a CA state business ID .

If you don't live in CA, you'll fill out the ' foreign entity ' (out-of-state or out-of-country) form for your respective business structure .

2. Register with the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation

If you need to apply for your own California Seller of Travel number, register your agency with the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation . They are in charge of administration of the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund. Cost is $100 for each location .

Who needs to participate in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund? According to the CA dept. of justice (DOJ), "A registered seller of travel whose principal place of business is in California and who does business with persons in California must participate in the TCRC."

Of course, to keep it interesting, the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund has some exemptions :

• Applicant does not do business or advertise to persons located in California, including by internet advertisement; but has a location in California.
• Applicant's principal place of business is outside California.
• Applicant has no location or agent in California.
• Applicant is neither an issuer nor a subsidiary of an issuer of securities that are listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security.

Questions? California's Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation's office number is (530) 809-4220.

3. Establish a Trust Account

If you apply for a California Seller of Travel number and travel agency license, you will need to establish a trust account for any direct payments from clients.

There are a few alternatives to a trust account for any rebels about there:

• Credit Card Transactions: If you only accept credit card payments and you don't have access to clients funds, this is a great alternative to a trust. Do you qualify? Check out this California Seller of Travel affidavit form .
• Acquire a Surety Bond
• Include a Consumer Protection Escrow Plan (§17550.16 - Exemption from trust account. Letter (c), 1-7)

4. Apply for your California seller of travel + travel agency license

Once you're registered through the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation, apply for your California seller of travel number (which is California's travel agency license) .

5. Renew annually

You'll need to renew your California seller of travel registration and travel agency license every year. Renewal is a choose your own adventure situation. Here's your two paths:

• There have been no changes in your agency: Congrats! This is the easy route. If all your agency info is the same when you previously applied, all you need to do is fill out this attestation form .
• There have been changes: This is the thornier path, but all you have to do is read these instructions then fill out this renewal form .

6. Uh.... can you go over that again, please?

It's confusing. Don't be afraid to contact their office for clarification.

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone:  (213) 269-6564

Florida Seller of Travel + Florida Travel Agency License

Since Florida is a member of our Big Four SOT States®, we know that Florida's Seller of Travel law applies to any travel agency who books clients residing in Florida, regardless of the agency's location, right?

[In unison: "Yes, Steph."]

You're doing so great!

Florida's travel agency license isn't nearly as complex as California's (thank goodness), but it's important to know that Florida may require you to have a surety bond.

Florida Seller of Travel + Travel AGENCY LICENSE: Exemptions

The big question: If an independent contractor belongs to a host agency , can that independent contractor use the host's Florida seller of travel number and travel agency license?

If you meet ALL of the exemptions below, you can use your host agency's Florida Seller of Travel number , but you must fill out the Independent Agent Statement of Exemption Form ($50/yr):

• You must be with a host agency that has a Florida Seller of Travel number; AND
• Have a writtencontract with the seller(s) of travel listed above (you'll provide them a copy of the contract); AND
• You do not accept fees (service/consultation/etc), commission, or other valuable consideration directly from your clients (they must go through your host agency); AND
• You do not have unused ticket stock in your possession; AND
• You do not have the ability to issue tickets, lodging or vacation certificates, or any other travel documents.

And here's another scenario where your travel agency can be exempt from Florida's Seller of Travel registration.

• If you're an ARC accredited agency for 3+ years under the same ownership, then you can file for an exemption.

Florida Seller of Travel + Travel AGENCY LICENSE: How to Apply

The Florida Seller of Travel number costs $300/yr and requires annual renewal. (If you're selling vacation certificates, add on another $100/yr.)

For all you active duty military, honorably discharged veterans, military spouses or surviving spouses out there—thank you for your service and sacrifices!—you may be eligible for a waiver of the registration/renewal fees ( see section 2(c) for requirements ). Here's the military fee waiver request form .

Something Florida requires for their seller of travel registration and travel agency license that California does not, is travel agencies need to provide a $25,000 Surety Bond with their application. (It jumps to a $50,000 bond if you're selling vacation certificates.)

But good news!

• If you've got a clean record and 5 or more years of operating in the state of Florida, you can file for a complete waiver of the bond requirement (waiver form is in the registration/renewal application).
• For those of you with a clean track record, you can also request a request a security reduction on your application or fill out a separate security exemption form , which would bring the bond amount down to $10k-20k, depending on your sales.

Here's the steps to get your Florida Seller of Travel number and travel agency license:

1. Get a surety bond (if applicable)

Don't forget to make sure the seals or signatures by principal and witnesses are on the bond. Also make sure the power of attorney is included with surety bond.

2. Apply for your Florida seller of travel registration and travel agency license

Fill out this application if you need your own seller of travel number . Or apply here if you can use your host agency's SOT number .

3. Renew annually

All registrations are valid for one year, beginning the day the certificate is issued, unless suspended or revoked for cause. Don't forget to renew because Florida may issue civil or administrative fines of up to $5,000 per violation. (Each sale or attempted sale may be considered a separate violation. )

Hawaii Seller of Travel + Travel Agency License

Again, Hawaii is one of our Big Four SOT States ® so if you're working with clients who live in Hawaii—even if your agency isn't in Hawaii—you'll need a Hawaii travel agency license/ seller of travel number.

There's a few key points to know about Hawaii's travel agency licensing:

• Similar to the CA SOT laws, regardless of where you live, you'll need to register your business in Hawaii if you are an LLC, LLP, Corporation, or Partnership. (Out of state agencies will register as a foreign entity.)
• If you're selling stand-alone activities to your clients, you technically also need an Activity Desk license.
• And this last one is the most challenging. Travel agencies need to have a business bank account with a bank located in Hawaii.

Hawaii Seller of Travel + Travel Agency License: Exemptions

One of our awesome Hawaii-based readers gave us the scoop on Hawaii's travel agency licensing/ seller of travel laws—thanks for your sleuthing, Mara Kunkel!

In addition to registering for a seller of travel license, Hawaii has regulations about opening a client trust account (see #3 above). But thanks to Mara's sleuthing, we've learned that Hawaii-based agents who want to go with a mainland host can apply for a waiver for the host, assuming the agent is not handling any of the clients' money—no cash, no checks—directly.

Hawaii agents with mainland hosts can qualify for a trust account waiver only if they do not handle client monies. Similar to CA, all client money needs to go through the supplier or the host agency. If this is up your alley, you can include that information in a letter asking for a trust account waiver along with your application for a Hawaii seller of travel license.

The Hawaii seller of travel and travel agency license costs $215/yr on the even-numbered years and $146/yr on the odd-numbered years. (Hawaii likes to keep you on your toes!)

Hawaii Seller of Travel + Travel Agency License: How to Apply

Here's what you need to do to get your Hawaii seller of travel and travel agency license:

1. Register your business with Hawaii's Dept of Commerce and Consumer Affairs

Register your business with the Business Registration Division (BREG) if you are an LLC, LLP, Corporation, or Partnership. (Out of state agencies will register as a foreign entity and sole proprietors need not register.) Here's the current fee schedule to register your business in Hawaii . If you have questions, you can e mail [email protected] or call (808) 586-2727.

2. Open a trust account with a bank in Hawaii

We know they give exceptions for Hawaii-based agencies that have a mainland host as long as the agency isn't accepting any money and that may transfer to non-Hawaii-based agencies. You can try calling them at (808) 586-3000 to see if your agency would qualify for an exemption on this.

3. Apply for your Hawaii Seller of Travel registration

Fill out the Hawaii travel agent license application , making sure to have your trust account information and if you're a LLC, LLP, partnership or corporation, have proof your business is registered with BREG (step 1).

3. Renew on odd-numbered years

All Hawaii travel agency licenses, regardless of issuance date, expire on December 31 of each ODD-NUMBERED year and are subject to renewal on or before the expiration date. Renewal applications and the notarized statement form are mailed to current registrations about 6 weeks prior to the expiration date.

Washington Seller of Travel + Travel Agency License

When it comes to Washington's travel agency license/ seller of travel laws, it's going to sound awfully familiar. Of course, we have the start with the same base as the other Big Four SOT States ® —you'll need the license not only if your agency is in Washington state, but also if you serve clients who live there.

Since (most) ICs sell travel under their own brand, they will have to get their own Washington travel agency license.

And like Hawaii and California, Washington wants to know who owns your agency so they require proof of business registration. But unlike Hawaii and California, if your agency is located outside Washington state, you can send proof of business registration in your home state. Hurray for small victories!

And here's a new twist: If you hold payments for travel for more than 5 days, you'll need to do 1 of 3 things:

• Open up a Seller of Travel trust account (business account) at a bank in Washington state.
• Purchase a Surety Bond (the size of the bond is based on the previous year's sales).
• Be a member of good standing in a professional association approved by the Department of Licensing, through which you get both a $1,000,000 errors and omissions policy and a surety bond of at least $250,000. What associations offer that, I honestly have no idea...

Washington Seller of Travel + tRAVEL aGENCY lICENSE: Exemptions

If the IC meets the following criteria, they can use the host's Washington travel agency license number 2 :

• The host agency has a Washington Seller of Travel number and has the IC is registered under their number.; and
• The IC is conducting business using the name of the host agency; and
• No money goes through the independent contractor. All money is collected in the name of the host agency and is processed by the host agency. No collecting cash, no checks made out to your agency, service/consultation fees would need to be charged under the host agency's name. ( more on service fees and seller of travel laws )

I'm going to be frank and say that it's unlikely an IC can use their host's Washington seller of travel number.

Because in order to use a host's Washington seller of travel number / travel agency license, the advisor needs to be selling under the name of the host agency. Since (most) hosted advisors sell travel under their own brand, not their host's brand, they will have to get their own Washington travel agency license.

Washington Seller of Travel + Travel agency License: How to Apply

We'll walk you through apply to get a Washington travel agency license online below:

1. Apply for a Washington state business license

Out of state businesses can attach proof of business registration in their state, and Washington based businesses can apply for a business license here . It's through the Department of Revenue so you may feel like you're in the wrong place, but you're not!

Set up an account and under 'Business Licensing' heading, select 'Apply for a New Business License'. This will walk you through the steps to get registered in Washington.

When you get to the 'Activity Search' section (below), select 'Travel Agent, Agency'. This will trigger the adding of the Seller of Travel endorsement (form) to your application.

For foreign entities (travel agencies not located in Washington), you'll have a chance to upload proof of business registration with your state at the end of the application.

There is a $50 processing fee for the business license and the Washington seller of travel license will set you back $222/yr. (Washington SOT fee schedule) . You can pay online.

2. Renew annually

Washington seller of travel and travel agency licenses expire one year after issue so make sure to renew it in the same place you applied for your business license in step 1.

Other States with Travel Agency Regulations

The Big Four SOT States ® are the ones everyone will always say have Seller of Travel (SOT) laws/travel agency licensing but there's a few I found I think should also be mentioned:

• Delaware: If you're a travel agency in Delaware (scroll to No. 24) , you are required to register for an occupational license. The cost is currently $225 USD. It's a bit different than the state travel agency licensing laws above because you only need it if you open a travel agency in Delaware (vs. needing it if you plan to sell to any Delaware residents).
• Illinois: Surprise! If your agency is based in Illinois, you may need to establish a trust account in order to adhere to the Illinois Travel Promotion Consumer Protection . Our insider source (Ann Thomson Nelson in the comments) mentioned this requirement only pertains to agents taking payments from clients, rather than paying the supplier directly. Even then, there are exemptions if you a.) have the equivalent of $1M liability coverage through Errors and Omissions Insurance , and b.) have a surety bond of $100,000 or more.
• Louisiana: Louisiana requires an annual travel agency licensing fee for retail travel agencies (storefronts). Are you a home-based agency in Louisiana? You're in the clear! What's the cost? It depends on your gross sales. So check out this resource on Louisiana travel agency licensing fees to see where you fall. (Shout to Alec Mena for sharing this resource!)
• Massachusetts: They have a 4-page document of random rules for travel agencies that make a wonderful read before bedtime. Sweet dreams, Massachusetts agency owners: MA's 940 CMR .
• New York: NY also has hard and fast laws for sellers of travel. I'd like to say they're common sense, and that so long as you're not a jerk, you're okay, but you know what, I'm going to go ahead and resist that temptation. Instead, if you're an NY-based agent, go read NY's Article 10-A Truth in Travel Act . Particularly, look at this chapter, Section 157-A for a very specific outline of disclosures you must provide for your travel clients.

Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments! We should say that this is not an exhaustive list. Rather, it's a crash course in states that have regulations that may directly impact travel advisors .

If you're a tour operator, or participate in travel club sales, chances are that since you're selling travel, you'll need a seller of travel license and the requirements and application process may be a little different.

Local/City Travel Agent Licensing

In the beginning, we said there is no travel agency licensing laws on the national level. Then we zoomed in on the state level, where we had The Big Four SOT States ® (Florida, California, Washington, Hawaii) with the seller of travel/ travel agency licensing laws.

Now let's talk about things on the city level.

Breaking down regulations to the city level is complex. The local level is going to involve some research on your end. What you'll want to do is familiarize yourself with local laws that affect travel agencies.

A good start is to ask your local Chamber of Commerce if there are any general business regulations in your city that you should be aware of.

If you don't know where to start to find out more about local laws, contact your Chamber of Commerce or visit our   resources page   to find your local SBA or SCORE office.

Did We Mention Travel Insurance Licensing... and Waivers?

Yeah. We have more info on regulations for you. Boring, confusing, and frustrating... but very important. Find out more on travel insurance licensing for agencies.

Most travel agencies have a travel waiver for their clients. See what other agencies are including in their travel waivers and download a free travel waiver sample and an Oversea Travel Tips & Checklist .

Save Money With a Travel Agent License with a Host Agency

Since the site focuses on host agencies, it's important to mention another host agency benefit —saving the expense of a travel agency license. In some states, you can use your host's Seller of Travel number instead of purchasing your own!

For instance, in Florida, independent contractors that are exempt don't have to pay the full $300 annual registration fee. Agents with a host can go under their host's Florida Seller of Travel number and pay only $50/yr - a savings of $250.  😊 And now hosted agents that meet CA's criteria for exemption can sell under their host agency's California Seller of Travel number — a savings of $100/year.

Check with your host agency or the state's seller of travel office for details. On our main page, you can filter hosts according to which seller of travel they provide.

If you're interested in finding a host agency, visit our host agency list and reviews .

Still Confused? We can help.

Applying for your seller of travel registration is just one small part of starting a travel agency . If you're finding you have analysis paralysis and feel completely overwhelmed and alone on the journey, we've got just the thing for you!

HAR's 7 Day Setup Accelerator course gives you information in digestible pieces, allowing you to get started faster and with the support you need to make it happen. You'll have the HAR team and a community of your peers to help answer your questions, cheer you on, and hold you accountable. :)

It's hard to find info on a travel agent license. Take this from a lady who spent hours on Washington's overly confusing Seller of Travel registration path!

We wrote this article to save agents time and money. If it helped you out, please drop us a line in the comments or share the article—doing so makes it easier for others to find this page.

Editor's note 9/10/2015: Nevada did have a seller of travel law... then they kept suspending it for what felt like forever (ahem, 6 years). And in July 2015,  Nevada's Seller of Travel Law is officially repealed and Nevada travel agents do not need a license to sell travel.

Editor's note 01/28/2021: Iowa repealed their Seller of Travel requirements as of 06/2020 so is no longer included in this article.

Editor's note 04/18/24: This article was originally published in Dec. 2012 and was updated and republished with the most current information at the post date listed above.

• Sorry, we need an obligatory disclaimer. I am not an attorney (but here are some travel industry attorneys !). I aggregated this info from first-hand experience and other industry sources to create a resource for those looking into a travel agent license. All info is accurate to my knowledge but information given should be fact-checked and never be considered legal advice. ↩
• 5(a-b) https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.138.100 ↩

About the Author

Steph grew up in the travel industry, helping on and off with her mom's homebased travel agency. She has worked with thousands of agents in her role as a former host agency director before leaving in 2012 to start HAR. She's insatiably curious, loves her pups Fennec and Orion, and -- in case you haven't noticed -- is pretty quirky and free-spirited.

If you’re looking for Steph, she leaves a trace where ever she goes! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn (her fav) and Pinterest as 'iamstephly'. 🙂 You can also catch her on her Substack, Bumblin' Around, where she writes on things outside the world of HAR.

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Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Travel Agent

Here's what you should know before becoming a travel agent.

If you're someone who spends your days scanning flights , loves hotel rewards points, and in general, is a fervent traveler, you've probably wondered how to become a travel agent.

And, while it's true that living in the age of Expedia means travel agents are not as vital as they once were, people use them a lot more than you might think. Just because travelers aren't calling up an agent every time they need to book a quick flight doesn't mean they don't want to consult an expert for a big trip. This holds especially true when it comes to honeymoons or experiential trips that have a lot of moving parts — coordinating tour companies , translators, or multiple resort stays, for example. It's often easier to leave the logistics to someone else: travel agents.

You don't need a specific employment background to become a travel agent, so if you're looking for a fresh career start, that's totally OK. You have to start somewhere on your path to becoming a travel agent, and the sooner you jump in, the sooner you'll build your client base. On the other hand, if you're hoping to parlay your experience in a semi-related industry, be it marketing or hospitality, that can help because you'll have even more context for your new gig. Either way, this can be a rewarding career path (with some fun perks), so here's what you need to know to become a travel agent.

Formal Training Needed to Become a Travel Agent

While some four-year colleges, community colleges, and trade schools offer tourism certifications, it is not a requirement for those trying to become travel agents. Certificates of tourism can be very helpful, but so can previous training in marketing, hospitality, or even event planning. Ultimately, your knowledge of destinations, sales, itinerary planning, and booking software will be crucial for your career as a travel agent.

In terms of the training time you need to put in before becoming a fully-fledged travel agent, it depends. You could start your career right after high school, or you could put in one to four years to earn a certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree in tourism. Of course, you could also change course from a related job, and morph your experience as, say, a destination wedding planner into a career as a travel agent.

Training Programs Available

You could take classes with a company like The Travel Institute to earn your certification. Not only will they teach you the basics of planning itineraries, but they'll also make sure you're learning about new cultures, world geography, and experiences you can have all over the world. They'll also help you decide what business route you want to take.

How to Become a Travel Agent: The Logistics

Becoming a travel agent will likely mean starting your own business . On the plus side, it requires relatively little overhead. If you're becoming a small business owner by opening a yoga studio, for example, you will need to rent a space, deal with permits, buy supplies, build a website, and pay yoga teachers and someone to work the front desk. However, if you're starting a travel agent business, you can operate from your living room and there aren't nearly as many upfront costs.

You will have to think about what type of business you want to become. Do you want to incorporate or become an LLC? Would you rather be a sole proprietor? Incorporating takes the most effort, and is often the most expensive. Becoming an LLC is a good happy medium because it can help protect you as a business entity without having as many associated costs. Small business owners typically become an LLC to protect their personal assets. If you get sued as an LLC, someone can come after your business holdings, but can't come after your house, car, or personal savings.

If you choose to remain a sole proprietor (which doesn't require any fees or legwork), you are essentially a freelancer or independent contractor. You can be an LLC and an independent contractor, too — they aren't mutually exclusive. If you want to be an independent contractor, it likely means you're working as part of a larger host agency, which is smart to do when you're starting out as a travel agent. Down the road, you can also own a travel agency franchise. Owning a franchise might come with more overhead costs, and that would be a reason to incorporate.

If you're an independent contractor, you should know that your taxes aren't going to be as straightforward as a full-time employee's might be. You may have to start keeping track of your business expenses, as you might be able to write them off. You also might not get things like health benefits from your employer. As you plan your new career, consider sitting down with an established travel agent to ask them some logistical questions: Where do they get their health insurance? How do they keep track of their income and expenses? Do they use an accountant to do their taxes? While meeting with the travel agent, you can discuss the pros and cons of working for a larger agency, too. If you're not sure how to get in touch with other travel agents, consider using social media, like LinkedIn or even Instagram.

What to Think About When You Become a Travel Agent

Once you've secured work as a travel agent, you'll want to think about how you can earn more money and distinguish yourself from other agents. Here are three things to consider as you start your career.

Making Commissions: If you're working for a larger travel agency as an independent contractor, how do commissions work? Make sure you have this conversation early on before accepting the position. When you're starting out, you want to make sure the commission rate you're receiving is similar to the industry standard.

Growing Your Client Base: How do you make more money as a travel agent? Clients, clients, clients. You want happy customers who will return to you every time they want to book a travel experience. You'll want to keep your clients happy by finding them great deals, curating unbelievable experiences for them, and simply being great to work with.

Establishing a Niche: This is by no means a requirement for becoming a travel agent, but as you establish your career, you may want to consider focusing on a specific niche. For example, perhaps you're someone who focuses on honeymoon travel , luxury travel, or adventure travel . Your niche can help you attract clients, and it can be anything in the travel realm, as long as there's a need for it.

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Benefits for a total of 25 travel agents.

Travel Agency accreditation and identification are the very building blocks for a successful independent travel agency. If you’ve made the decision that you want to operate independently of a host agency, then your next step is to determine the right identification system for you. CCRA’s accreditation is powered by the world renown TRUE Code.

Benefits of Obtaining a Travel Agency Accreditation:

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• Seller of Travel Licenses if you reside in California, Florida, Hawaii, Washington or Iowa

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Direct Recognition From Suppliers

Make sure your agency is getting the direct recognition it deserves. From the top cruise lines to boutique hotels and in-country tour operators, connect directly and get rid of shared commissions!

More Membership Benefits

When you obtain our highest membership level, your agency will get access to a Members-only dashboard to help you run your business. Exclusive offers, webinars, private training, and access to a private Facebook group for collaboration. Interested in expanding into a host agency? Your TRUE code offers the ability to add 24 additional sub-agents at no cost.

Stand Out as a Professional

With a CCRA Accreditation powered by TRUE, you can advertise your travel agency as an accredited travel business - meaning your agency has passed rigorous screening and verification standards.

Privacy Overview

Travel Agency Registrations By State

Did you know that some states require you to register as a travel agent even if you don’t reside in that particular state? It’s true! States like Florida, California, Washington, Iowa, and Hawaii all require that you register your travel agency. If not, these states can issue a cease and desist letter, impose fines and fees, or worse. Keep reading to learn more about travel agent licensing by state.

Apply for your Travel Agency Registration today!

California defines a seller of travel as any person or entity that sells, provides, furnishes, contracts for, arranges, or advertises that it can or may arrange, wholesale or retail travel.

Does this sound like your business? If so, visit our California Seller of Travel License page to learn more about the state requirements.

Florida defines a travel agency as any resident or nonresident person, firm, corporation, or business entity that offers, directly or indirectly, prearranged travel or tourist-related services for individuals or groups, through vacation certificates in exchange for a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration. Further, the FLDACS indicates that any seller of travel that has a business location in Florida OR that offers to sell travel related services in Florida for individuals or groups is required to register with the state.

Are you selling travel in or to Florida? If so, learn more about the Florida travel agency licensing process .

Hawaii defines a travel agency as any sole proprietorship, organization, trust, group, association, partnership, corporation, society, or combination of such, which for compensation or other consideration, acts or attempts to act as an intermediary between a person seeking to purchase travel services and any person seeking to sell travel services.

Do you want to sell travel in Hawaii? Getting licensed in HI can be very difficult unless you live there. It requires a bank account at a local bank. Sounds easy right? Well, most of the banks on the islands won’t let you open a business account online. You must physically go to the bank, in person, to open the bank account. However, it makes a great excuse to go on a Hawaiian vacation doesn’t it? If you think so too you can apply online today !

Not only is it home to the Hawkeyes and Wartburg College but it’s also home to Iowa Code Chapter 9D. Iowa code requires travel agencies to register with the Iowa Secretary of State if the agency conducts the solicitation of an Iowa resident. Iowa defines a travel agency as a person who represents, directly or indirectly, that the person is offering or undertaking by any means or method, to provide travel services for a fee, commission, or other valuable considerations, direct or indirect.

Want to learn more about becoming a licensed, Iowa travel agent? If so, visit our Iowa Travel Agency Licensing page to learn more.

Washington defines a seller of travel as a person, firm, or corporation that transacts business with Washington consumers for travel arrangements or accommodations.

Have you sold or are you currently selling travel to a Washington State resident? Again, you probably need a license. Check out the exclusions, cost, and other important licensing information on our Washington Seller of Travel Licensing page.

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TRAVEL AGENT LICENCE

Companies or persons in the business of making travel arrangements or conducting tours in or outside of Singapore are required to apply for a Travel Agent Licence under the Travel Agents Act (Chapter 334).

LICENCE SUMMARY

Who needs a licence.

Under Section 4 of the Travel Agents Act, a person carries on the business of a travel agent if the person carries on, or advertises or holds himself out as carrying on, a business of any of the following:

This section applies only where transactions in relation to any of the activities described above are carried out in Singapore. For example, a travel agent based overseas who arranges and sells a travel package outside of Singapore, and for which payment is collected outside of Singapore, does not require a Travel Agent Licence, even if the travel package includes travel to or from Singapore.

A person does not require a Travel Agent Licence in the following scenarios:

The examples above are for illustration purposes only and are not exhaustive. Please seek independent legal advice if you are unsure whether you need a Travel Agent Licence.

Please note that engaging in the business of a Travel Agent without a valid Travel Agent Licence is an offence under the Travel Agents Act.​​​​

TYPES OF TRAVEL AGENT LICENCES

STB currently offers 2 types of travel agent licences.

APPLY FOR A TRAVEL AGENT LICENCE

Renewal of licence, compositions and administrative financial penalties .

Any person who contravenes any provision of the Travel Agents Act (Chapter 334) or the Travel Agents Regulations shall be liable to one or more of the following:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How can I log in to Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST)?

Please log in with your Singpass details.

2.  How do I make payment for the application fee or licence fee?

Upon completing the online application for a new licence or upon approval of renewal of licence application via Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST), you will be directed to the e-payment page to select any of the payment options (ie. VISA or Mastercard).

3. How do I know if my application is successful?

You will receive an email notification of the approval. You can download your licence from your TRUST account and self-print for display.

4. What will happen if I do not renew my licence before 31 December?

Your current licence will expire, and you will need to re-apply for a new licence. An application fee will be payable on top of the licence fee.

5. What is the penalty for carrying on business of travel agent without a licence?

Travel agent found operating without a valid licence will be liable to a maximum fine of S$25,000 or up to 2 years imprisonment or both.

6. How do I make payment for composition and administrative financial penalty?

Please log in to   Travel Agents and Tourist Guides Licensing System (TRUST)  and follow the instructions on the email notification sent.

7. How do I know if a travel agent is licensed?

Please refer to the Travel Agent Directory of TRUST .

LEGISLATIONS

• Travel Agents Act
• Travel Agents Regulations

CONTACT INFORMATION

For clarification, please contact us at  [email protected] .

You might also be interested in:

>  Non-Renewable Temporary Occupation Licence (NRTOL)

About the Organisation

What industry does your organization fall within, what best describes the key intent of the project that your organisation is seeking funding for, is your organisation a singapore-registered legal entity, is your organisation an association, is the project able to achieve one or more of the following outcome.

• Increase no. of sailings to/from Singapore
• Increase no. of foreign cruise passengers to Singapore through sailings to/from Singapore
• Increase no. of pre/post nights for cruise passengers sailing to/from Singapore
• Increase capability of industry players via cruise-specific industry training programmes
• Strengthen the potential/ attractiveness of cruising in Singapore and/or Southeast Asia

Is the project able to achieve one or more of the following?

• Improve visitor satisfaction (especially foreign visitors)
• Increase footfall
• Increase revenue
• Significant branding and PR value

Is the project able to attract foreign visitors and contribute to foreign visitors' spend?

Who will be the main target audience of your project, is your project innovative and/or a new event in singapore with tourism potential, what best describes your project, does the event have proven track records in singapore or overseas, and/or growth in tourism value such as growing foreign visitorship, and/or enhancement of precinct vibrancy etc, does the project have a clear tourism focus (e.g. tourism-related trainings, tourism companies taking on capability development initiatives or technology companies creating technology products and services for the tourism businesses), what best describes your market feasibility study project.

Based on your selection, the following STB grant/s may be applicable for your project:

Please note that projects that have commenced prior to Singapore Tourism Board's offer may not be eligible for grant support. Examples where projects are deemed as having commenced include:

• Applicant has started work on the project e.g. tender has been called.
• Applicant has made payment(s) to any supplier, vendor or third party.
• Applicant has signed a contractual agreement with any supplier, vendor or third party.

Become an ARC-Accredited Agent

ARC enables U.S. travel agencies to easily ticket flights worldwide on more than 200 airlines.

Participation Requirements

Your agency must be located in and authorized to do business within the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and/or American Samoa.

There is a $2,300 application fee for new agencies. Your agency must also provide a bond, letter of credit or cash deposit in the minimum amount of $20,000.

Your agency must have a designated agency manager and an ARC Specialist, at least one being authorized to work in the U.S. One person may serve as both roles. See the Agent Reporting Agreement (ARA) for more information.

Your agency must provide entity papers, an Employer ID Number and any licenses for local jurisdictions. For more information, see the Industry Agents' Handbook (IAH) .

• Review the eligibility requirements.
• Review the Agency Reporting Agreement (ARA) .
• Download and complete the application .

• Submit your application with payment.
• Ensure you have provided all supporting documents.
• Keep a copy of the application for your records.

• Application will be reviewed and documentation verified.
• An in-person interview will be conducted at your agency.

ARC Verified Travel Consultant

If your agency isn’t ready to start ticketing through ARC, but wants the other benefits of participation, apply to become an ARC Verified Travel Consultant (VTC) . You’ll be able to brand yourself as a travel agent, receive an agency ID and be included on ARC’s Agency List, recognized by industry suppliers. The application fee is $195.

I don’t think travel agencies completely understand the resources ARC provides and the vast knowledge their staff has in the travel industry. Since we are so new to the industry, having a trusted partner to guide us is very powerful. – Andrew Appleton, Travel Director, Sandboxx

Get Started

Start your application today.

Check out ARC’s most frequently asked questions about becoming an ARC agent.

ARC authorizes corporate travel departments to ticket flights on more than 200 airlines worldwide and provides products to help manage these services.

Designed for agencies that ticket outside of a GDS, ARC’s VTC program offers agencies global recognition and access to revenue-generating products.

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No sorry. If you want one with a known reputation use peace travel.

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