Travel agents help customers with planning their travel plans, trips, cruises, and travel arrangements, accommodations, and other services.
They have many responsibilities that help groups, families, and individuals have the best possible experience.
People who become travel agents interact with many people, including by phone, online, and in person.
Their duties often lead them to the destinations that they help book for customers or clients.
Travelling to these destinations helps travel agents have firsthand experience of their own when they visit the locations.
They can then better discuss things like experiences, travel packages, accommodations, and amenities.
People who like to talk to or meet with other people to help them plan their travel are probably ideal for future travel agents.
Some travel agents specialise in one type of travel package, such as cruises, while others may specialise in one destination, such as a trip to Paris or a family vacation to island destinations.
People who want to become travel agents may see the field as an exciting career option.
They are likely to wonder about the salary.
The site salary.com indicates that the average salary for travel agents in the U.S. is $56,431, as of January 1, 2026.
Work in some states and earn a salary that is higher than the national average.
One example is that travel agents who work in California earn an average of $62,243.
Travel agents who work in New Jersey earn an average salary of $61,165
. Travel agents who have a license, certification, training, and experience earn higher salaries.
Getting the education, training, and credentials that are required for travel agents is the first step towards starting a new career.
States That Require Travel Agents to Have a License
Most states do not require travel agents to have a professional license to work in that state.
They do need to have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Some states require travel agents to have a Seller of Travel License.
The Seller of Travel License is a state-level regulation that mandates that travel agents must have the required license or registration to sell travel within the state.
Travel agents who live outside of these states must still have the proper license or registration to sell packages or other travel arrangements to people within these states.
California
The California Business and Professions Code §17550 establishes the regulations for travel agents.
The state requires that travel agents take the steps for registration with the State’s Attorney General Seller of Travel Program.
Businesses that engage in activities as sellers of travel or travel agents must display their registration number on all of their advertising.
Florida
The state of Florida requires all travel agents, as sellers of travel, to abide by the sellers of travel laws and regulations.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says that any business or person who is a seller or promoter of travel-related services must complete an annual registration with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Travel agents who sell travel services in the state of Florida must also provide proof of assurance in the form of a performance bond.
The bond must not be more than $25,000, or $50,000 for travel agents or sellers of travel who sell vacation certificates.
Travel agents, as sellers of travel, must also pay the fees that are required by the state for them to operate a business in the state or to sell packages to state residents.
Hawaii
The state of Hawaii Revised Statutes, Professional and Vocational Licensing Division Chapter 468L lists the requirements for travel agents.
The state requires that every travel agency be registered.
People who want to work as independent travel agents should not assume that they do not have to register or comply with other licensing or registration requirements.
This is because the state defines sellers of travel who must abide by these laws as being any person engaged as any sole proprietorship, organisation, trust, group, association, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, society or other entity, or any combination of these descriptions.
Chapter §468L-2 Registration and Renewal requires that travel agencies register their business with the state.
They must comply with all registration requirements to receive their proper registration documents.
They must renew their registration no later than December 31 of every odd-numbered year.
Travel agencies are also required to file a statement of compliance with their registration renewal.
Iowa
Some sources list the state of Iowa as one of the states that requires travel agents to have a license or registration.
However, the state repealed its seller of travel licensure requirements in 2020.
The state now only has registration rules that apply to travel clubs and certain travel promotions.
Washington
The state of Washington defines a seller of travel as a person, firm, or corporation, both inside and outside the state, who does business with residents or consumers in Washington.
RCW 19.138.021, 6(a) also defines sellers of travel as being a travel agent and any other person who is an independent contractor or outside agent for a travel agency or other seller of travel whose main duties include consulting with, or advising, other people about travel arrangements or accommodations.
The state requires that every person, firm, or other entity that acts as a seller of travel must register with the state.
Travel agents need to have a current, valid registration number to engage in the services of a travel agent.
They must renew their registration every year by July 1st.
Travel agents must pay the applicable registration and renewal fees.
States That Do Not Require Licensure but Mandate Certification or Training
The certification requirements, training requirements, and education requirements for travel agents vary by state.
People who want to become travel agents need to check these requirements for any state in which they plan to offer or sell travel services.
Many states require travel agents, as sellers of travel, to comply with their state’s requirements, even if the travel agent is outside the state.
One requirement is that travel agents must comply with state regulations, whether they work as independent travel agents or work for a host agency.
The individual states do not have certification requirements.
They do have education requirements, which include that travel agents need to have a high school education.
Although the states do not have license or certification requirements, many travel agents earn certifications.
Earning certifications helps travel agents to establish their professionalism and expertise with the state, with consumers, and with businesses, including host agencies.
Certified Travel Associate
The Certified Travel Associate is a credential that most travel agents earn early in their careers.
It helps to establish them as professionals.
Applicants must pass the exam and have at least one year of experience as a travel agent.
Certified Cruise Counsellor
The Certified Cruise Counsellor (CCC) designation is a foundational certification for travel advisors or cruise consultants.
People who earn this certification complete eight courses.
They must also book three cruises and experience at least one two-night cruise.
Candidates for this credential must also perform a ship inspection.
Certified Travel Counsellor
The Certified Travel Counsellor (CTC) designation is for advanced travel agents.
Earn this certification after the Certified Travel Associate certification.
The credential requires travel agents to pass both the Certified Travel Associate (CTA) and the Certified Travel Counsellor exams.
Travel agents must have five years of experience. They must also complete a relevant project.
Accredited Cruise Counsellor
The Accredited Cruise Counsellor (ACC) designation is for intermediate-level travel agents.
People who earn this certification need to complete 120 course credits.
They must complete two or more two-night cruises, 12 stateroom bookings, and five ship inspections.
Travel Agency Executive
Travel agents who want to become executives in the field of travel can earn the Travel Agency Executive (TAE) certification.
Earn more money and become a true professional at the top of the travel agent profession with this certification.
People who want to earn this certification must complete at least six of the most advanced courses designated by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
The certification designation also requires that travel agents complete other elective courses.
They must also have experience on at least two cruises to qualify for this credential.
Other travel agent certifications that travel agents may wish to earn.
Earning these credentials can increase opportunities for getting a job, getting promoted, and earning a higher salary, even at the entry level for this career.
States With No License Requirement but Employer-Based Standards
Most states do not have license requirements for their travel agents.
Some states require that both their independent travel agents and host organisations or companies comply with other regulations, including registration and renewal laws.
The states that have registration and renewal laws require travel agents to abide by these regulations, as both independent travel agents and host companies that are sellers of any travel services within the state.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in stiff penalties.
Although many states do not have license or certification requirements, future travel agents need to know the employer-based requirements if they plan to work for a host company or agency.
They should also be aware of the different employer-based requirements when they work as independent agents.
All states and employers want their travel agents to have a minimum of a high school diploma.
People who earned a GED will also meet the education requirements.
Check with employers to see if they require an advanced education beyond high school.
Employers who hire travel agents must meet the requirements for every state where they act as sellers of travel.
This means that travel agents need to know the requirements in all states where they offer their services.
People who want to work for an employer should check with each employer to see what their education, certification, and training requirements are for travel agents.
Although the states may not require some of these things, employers have their own requirements.
Check to see if the employer requires a college degree or for their travel agents to complete a specific training program.
Employers may require travel agents, as sellers of travel, to earn one or more certifications.
Learn which certifications employers require before applying to work for that employer.
Many employers may let their travel agents work towards earning the certification after they are hired by the host company.
Another reason to earn industry-related certifications or to complete travel agent training programs is that employers are probably more likely to offer jobs to travel agents who are trained and who have one or more industry-related certifications.
