What is Occupational Licensing?
An “occupational license” is, put simply, government permission to work in a particular field. To earn the license, an aspiring worker must clear various hurdles, such as earning a certain amount of education or training or passing an exam. In the 1950s, only one in 20 U.S. workers needed the government’s permission to pursue their chosen occupation. Today, that figure stands at almost one in four.
Travel Agency Occupational Licensing
License required in 5 states
86th most burdensome licensing requirements among moderate-income occupations
Average Fee for License:$262
What They Do
Travel agencies plan and sell transportation and accommodations to customers. They determine destination, modes of transportation, travel dates, costs and accommodations required. This report looks at what is required to run one’s own travel agency only.
Travel Agency Licensing Overview
Five states require a licence to work as a Travel Agency. On average, these laws require $262 in fees, 0 days of education and no exams. Travel Agency Licenses have the 86th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.
Where is a Travel Agency the most regulated?
Out of the 5 states that require an occupational license, an occupational license for a Travel Agency has the highest burden in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania requires $350 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no education.
Where is a Travel Agency the least regulated?
Out of the 5 states that require an occupational license, an occupational license for a Travel Agency has the lowest burden in Washington. Washington requires $202 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no education.
Where is a Travel Agency license the most expensive?
An occupational license for a Travel Agency costs the most in California. California requires $375 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no education.
Where is a Travel Agency license the least expensive?
An occupational license for a Travel Agency costs the least in Hawaii. Hawaii requires $85 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no education.
Where does it take the longest to obtain a Travel Agency license?
Out of the 5 states that require an occupational license, none impose any time lost due to required education/experience.
Where is it fastest to obtain a Travel Agency license?
An occupational license for a Travel Agency takes the least time to obtain in California, Florida, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Washington (0 days).
What states require exams for a Travel Agency license?
To obtain an occupational license for a Travel Agency
Seven states license travel agencies that do business within their borders. All states require a fee, ranging from $15 in Iowa to $375 in California, for an average of $211. California’s fees are relatively high because the state requires agencies to pay into a consumer restitution fund. Pennsylvania also sets a minimum age of 18 years. These requirements are the 94th most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. Because so few states license travel agencies, the occupation ranks as the 86th most widely and onerously licensed.
States Ranked by Average Licensing Burden for 102 Lower-Income Occupations
More Burdensome Less Burdensome
Based on data released in November 2022| Burden Rank | State | Occupations Licensed | Fees | Estimated Calendar Days Lost | Education | Experience | Exams | Minimum Grade | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | California | 75 | $375 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Florida | 55 | $300 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Hawaii | 64 | $85 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 1 | Pennsylvania | 50 | $350 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 5 | Washington | 76 | $202 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
License to Work
The data and information here come from IJ’s License to Work report, released in November 2022.
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