TICO certification exam increasing to $150; consultations begin

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) has initiated a focused consultation regarding proposed adjustments to the fees for its certification program and exam.

With the ongoing evolution of the travel industry, TICO says it is updating its certification program and exam for individuals aspiring to become travel advisors and agency supervisors/managers.

Later in 2025, TICO will launch a new and interactive online education program, delivered in collaboration with “a leading-edge adult education provider,” the council said in a press release Wednesday (May 28).

“Enhancing the certification program will strengthen travel professionals’ consumer protection knowledge as they enter the industry, which in turn will benefit the consumers they guide in their travel purchases,” said TICO’s CEO Richard Smart in a statement. “As part of this enhancement, we’re reviewing the related fees to ensure they remain fair, transparent and aligned with cost recovery.”

Once the new e-learning program has launched, the certification exam fee will need to be adjusted “to reflect the cost associated with developing, operating and enhancing the new program,” TICO says.

What’s the new fee?

So, how much will the exam fee increase? PAX reached out TICO on for clarification.

Currently, two certification exams are required – they are $35 each or $50 when written together.

Under the proposed changes, instead of two exams, there will now only be one, and it will cost $150, TICO says. The anticipated launch is fall 2025.

TICO’s current course is "a static online manual and relies on memorization," whereas with the new e-learning platform, updated courses will focus on applying regulatory consumer protection content to day-to-day interactions, the organization says. 

TICO believes this will enhance regulatory knowledge and professionalism.

Certification background

In 2009, the Ontario government legislated certification for individuals selling travel on behalf of a TICO-registered retailer. The exam fee has not changed since it launched in 2009.

TICO says it is “modernizing its Certification program and exam, moving from a static online manual that relies on memorization to an interactive e-learning adult program.”

The new program will feature a single exam, covering both the Travel Counsellor and Supervisor/Manager curriculum, ensuring that all new entrants to the industry have a comprehensive view of their obligations.

The new fee only applies to individuals who are entering the industry and are taking their TICO Certification exam.

For individuals who are already Certified as a Travel Counsellor but are looking to complete the Supervisor/Manager designation, there will be a transition period with a minimum of 60 days’ notice during which the existing program can be completed.

Nearly 112,000 individuals have successfully completed TICO’s Certification exams since inception in 2009, says TICO.

Have your say

Registrants and stakeholders are invited to review a presentation outlining the new program and proposed fee adjustment.

Any feedback can be submitted to TICO via an online survey.

For the consultation presentation, click here.

To take the online survey, click here.

The deadline to submit feedback is Monday, June 30, 2025 at 4 p.m.

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