Notice of Fee Change: TICO to Launch Enhanced Certification Program

On January 5, 2026, TICO will launch a new, enhanced Certification Program and exam for individuals aspiring to become Travel Counsellors and agency Supervisors/Managers.

In late May, TICO shared information with industry and stakeholders about the new, fully interactive online education program that will replace the existing static study manual. TICO also shared information about proposed Certification exam fee changes and invited feedback during a month-long consultation process. We appreciate everyone who took the time to provide their input.

While feedback about the enhanced program was generally positive, we did also hear from those who had concerns about TICO’s approach. We took all feedback seriously and gave it careful consideration before making any decisions. A summary of the consultation feedback was previously shared.

As of January 5, 2026, the following fee changes will take place:

• These fees only apply to individuals writing their TICO Certification exam.
  
  
• Individuals who are already Certified are not subject to any new fees or requirements (please see information about writing Supervisor/Manager exam below).

• Individuals can continue to register and pay for the existing exams until Sunday, January 4, 2026.
• Those who register and pay on or before Sunday, January 4, 2026, will have a period of six months to complete their exam under the existing format. Exam re-writes under the old program will continue to be available until December 31, 2026.

Anyone who registers and pays for an exam on or after January 5, 2026, will complete the new Certification Program and exam, at the new rate of $150.

About the new Certification Program and exam:

Features:

• The new Certification Program is a modernized, bilingual, accessible and fully interactive online education program, delivered in collaboration with a leading-edge adult education provider.

• The enhanced program reflects best practices in adult learning and e-learning delivery, moving away from memorization. This includes interactive modules, practice materials and questions, reference tools and a user-friendly platform.

• The new program focuses on having learners apply the program’s regulatory and consumer protection content, enhancing regulatory knowledge and professionalism.

• The program features enhanced security tools leveraging emerging technologies.

Single exam:

• Instead of having two levels like the existing program (Travel Counsellor and Supervisor/Manager), the new TICO Certification Program features a single consolidated exam.

• It’s not just a matter of merging two existing programs into one, the TICO Certification Program has been restructured, streamlined and made more straightforward. The goal is to make the learning experience easier to follow and more relevant for today’s travel industry and travel professionals.

• The updated program covers key areas such as consumer complaint handling, compliance and enforcement, record keeping and other regulatory responsibilities, giving every new learner a comprehensive but approachable understanding of Ontario’s consumer protection laws as they relate to both the individual and the travel seller business.

• The exam content has been carefully designed to eliminate complex legal jargon, using clear, everyday language to help learners easily understand the practical application of Ontario’s consumer protection laws.

For more information about the new Certification Program, click here.

What if I want to complete my Supervisor/Manager Certification?

For individuals who are already Certified as a Travel Counsellor but are looking to complete the Supervisor/Manager designation, you have the option to complete the existing Supervisor/Manager exam at a cost of $35.

The final date to sign up and pay for the existing Supervisor/Manager exam is Sunday, January 4, 2026.

You will have six months from the date you pay for the exam to complete it. Please visit Oliver’s Learning to register and pay for your exam.

For anyone who signs up and pays for their exam on or after January 5, 2026, there will be one single exam covering both the Travel Counsellor and Supervisor/Manager designations. From January 5, 2026 onwards, you will need to complete the single exam at a cost of $150 to become TICO Certified as a Supervisor/Manager.

More information about the transition is available on TICO’s website.

Why is TICO changing the Certification Program exam fees?

With the launch of the new, modernized education program, TICO is updating the exam fees to reflect its commitment to quality, cost recovery and future enhancements.

This is not simply a fee change but the introduction of a modernized and innovative educational program to meet the needs of an increasingly more challenging and complex travel environment.

The fees to obtain TICO Certification have not changed since the program launched in 2009, 16 years ago. During this period, TICO has made incremental enhancements to the Certification Program without adjusting fees.

The fee change ensures the Certification Program can be financially sustainable and aligned with the actual cost of delivering, maintaining and enhancing the program going forward.

For more information:

• Certification Program website update
• Frequently asked questions
• Summary of consultation feedback

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 1-888-451-TICO (8426).