FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The TRIPKIT is the place to begin! The TRIPKIT curriculum is designed to provide you with the expertise on critical areas that all travel professionals must have to be successful in this rapidly changing industry. The learning experience is in-depth, self-paced, and delivered in an engaging, blended-learning format.

Whether you want to work at an agency or as an independent contractor, the TRIPKIT is the place to begin building your travel career.  Sign up for our free webinar, Preparing for a Travel Career, to learn more.

The TAP Test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, from a test bank of 150. You must secure a proctor for this test. The test is closed-book, two hours in duration, with no notes, textbook or other study material permitted. A minimum score of 70 percent is required to pass the TAP test, and the score is based on correctly answered questions.

We offer many self-study blended learning programs designed for travel professionals at all career levels. If you are new to the travel industry, we recommend the TRIPKIT program, designed for those looking to become a travel agent. The tuition is $359 which includes all the printed materials, online sessions and TAP exam.

Please join one of our free informational webinars to learn more.

There currently are no licensing requirements to sell travel. We do highly recommend that you earn your certification though.  And we strongly suggest that you check your state laws for any Seller of Travel (SOT) requirements.

There are currently no licensing requirements to sell travel. We do highly recommend that you earn your certification though.

The Changing Face of Travel Agents survey shows close ties between certification and financial success.

We encourage you to complete the entry level program (TRIPKIT). Once that is done and you start in the industry, we encourage you to go through the CTA program.

Visit iatan.org

One of the key requirements is our Certified Travel Associates Program (CTA).

A Digital Credential is like a virtual diploma that is now available to all certified graduates of The Travel Institute. This free marketing tool was created to help you market yourself and your accomplishments to your customers and colleagues.

A Digital Credential can be hyperlinked in your email signature line, on your website, LinkedIn, social media, etc.

If you are CTA, CTC, or CTIE certified by The Travel Institute, please activate your Digital Credential today.
If you would like to learn more about certification, please click HERE.

The TAP exam focuses on the 5 areas of travel: Air, Ground, Hotel, Tours and Cruises.
The CTA focuses on the professional and practical skills you need to be a successful travel agent.

The CTA test must be completed within two (2) hours.

The CTA test has 60 multiple choice questions and 4 essay questions.

A proctor is a professional within his or her own industry, such as a teacher, accountant, firefighter, small business owner. Their role is to ensure that you are not using any online or printed materials to help you answer your exam questions and/or essay questions, as well as ensure that you complete your test within the 2 hour time limit. Other options for a proctor are a certified librarian or a professor at a local community college. A proctor from a college may charge a nominal fee.

Click HERE to request your test.
We must have the test request 3 – 5 business days in advance of the day you wish to take your test.

Yes, you may request the test in print.
Click HERE to request your test.  Written exam requests require a 3-week lead time.

Yes.

Yes, you can. We will hold your certificate until you submit your notarized certification form detailing your experience.

No. While Membership is not a requirement to access most of our services, the affiliation does provide an array of valuable benefits (like 10-12 free webinars per month!) whether you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for years. Your membership in The Travel Institute also demonstrates your commitment to a higher standard both for yourself as well as the entire travel industry.

While ALL live webinars are free to Basic and Premium members, Basic members can access the 5 most recent webinars while Premium members can access ALL webinars.  Premium members also have FREE access to all online Destination & Niche Market courses (testing not included) in addition to the Library of White Papers.

ALL members receive a 10% discount on all purchases.

Take a look at our Membership website page to see what level of membership is right for you.

Average sales ($554,880) and income ($42,953) among CTA, CTC, and CTIE certified agents in 2017 were nearly double the levels earned by non-certified agents ($266,024 and $22,485, respectively).

Data from The Changing Face of Travel Agents Survey, December 2017 (Conducted by Schreiner Research Services, an independent market research organization, 1808 travel agent respondents.) 

Please visit the CEU Approved Travel Programs page within the Certification tab where you will find a submission form link.

The Travel Institute is dedicated to supporting your professional development throughout your entire career.

If you’re just getting started in the travel industry, the TRIPKIT is the place to begin.

If you have some travel industry experience, we offer three levels of certification that are recognized as the gold standard in the industry (CTA, CTC, CTIE).

We also offer many Destination and Niche Market specialist programs and two levels of Membership which give you access to ongoing expert-led training 24/7!.

Your success is our goal!

In addition to several expert-led live webinars, our webinar schedule includes many free informational webinars per month about Preparing for a Travel Career, CTA, CTC & CTIE certification courses, Membership, Specialization, and The Travel Institute Open House. Please join us!

All of our expert-led webinars are available in our Member Lounge.
Basic Members have access to the previous 5 webinars and Premium Members have access to ALL webinars.

While membership is not a requirement to access most of our services, the affiliation does provide an array of valuable benefits (like 10-12 free webinars per month!) regardless if you’re just starting out or have been in the industry for years. Your membership in The Travel Institute also demonstrates your commitment to a higher standard both for yourself as well as the entire travel industry.

Take a look at our Membership website page to see what level of membership is right for you.

The Travel Institute’s Destination Specialist and Niche Market Specialist training programs span the globe and provide essential knowledge to help you create the kinds of experiences your customers expect – and come back for. It’s this type of training that sets you apart and gives you greater credibility with your clients. It also increases your value and earning power!

We don’t want to lose touch with you! Click HERE to send us your new contact information.