1. I have already completed my TICO Certification. Are there any new obligations?

No. If you are already Certified, your current Certification remains valid. There are no new requirements and nothing to submit to TICO.

If you are a Certified Travel Counsellor and would like to earn your Supervisor/Manager Certification, please see question 4.

2. Does TICO Certification expire? Do I need to re-write the exam?

TICO Certification does not expire and there is no requirement for Certified Travel Counsellors or Supervisors/Managers to re-write the exam.

3. Does the new program change anything about my business registration with TICO?

No, there are no changes to registration, renewal or financial reporting requirements for TICO-registered travel retailers and wholesalers.

4. I have completed my Travel Counsellor Certification but want to earn my Supervisor/Manager Certification. How does the new program affect me?

You can earn your Supervisor/Manager Certification under the existing program by signing up and paying for your exam until January 4, 2026 on the Oliver’s website at the existing program fee of $35.

You will have six months from the date you sign up and pay for your exam to complete your exam (e.g., if you sign up on the last day, January 4, 2026, you will have until July 4, 2026, to write your exam).

If you sign up on or after January 5, 2026, you will complete the new interactive online Certification Program, at the new fee of $150. The new program streamlines content from both the Travel Counsellor and Supervisor/Manager into one exam.

5. Does the new Certification Program allow me to skip the Travel Counsellor modules and only complete the Supervisor/Manager modules?

The new Certification Program integrates all program content into one seamless experience, therefore it’s not possible to only complete certain modules.

Anyone who signs up and pays for their Supervisor/Manager Certification exam on or after January 5, 2026 will need to complete the full new Certification Program and 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 new Certification Program is an interactive e-learning experience with a focus on applying regulatory content to everyday business and client interactions.

The goal is to make the learning experience easier to follow and more relevant for today’s travel industry and travel professionals.

6. I am already TICO Certified but would like to refresh my understanding of Ontario’s consumer protection laws. Can I access the new materials to review?

TICO is considering an approach for existing Certified Travel Counsellors and/or Supervisor/Managers. More information will be shared prior to the launch of the new Certification Program.

7. I’m already studying using the existing manual, but I haven’t paid for the exam yet. How does this affect me?

If you are already studying the existing manual, you have until January 4, 2026 to pay for the existing exam. You will then have six months from the date you pay for the exam to write it. As of January 5, 2026, if still unpaid, you will be required to register and pay for the new Certification Program at the new fee structure.

If you don’t write the exam by the end of your six-month period, you will also be required to register for the new program and pay the new fee of $150.

8. I signed up for the existing program, and paid for the exam. How does this affect me?

You have six months to write the exam from the date you paid for it. If you don’t write the exam by the end of your six-month period, you will be required to register for the new program and pay the new fee of $150.

9. What happens if I fail my exam?

Exam re-writes under the existing program will continue to be available until December 31, 2026.

• First exam rewrite – 24-hour waiting period after receiving results.
• Second exam rewrite – 5-day waiting period after receiving results.
• Third and any subsequent exam rewrites – 30-day waiting period after receiving results.

10. What happens if I don’t complete the exam within my six-month period?

If your six-month period ends on or after January 5, 2026, and you haven’t written the exam, you will need to sign up for the new program at the new fee structure.

11. I signed up for the existing program. Can I switch to the new program instead?

If you have paid for an exam under the existing program, but haven’t written it yet, you can contact Oliver’s for a refund and re-purchase the new program on or after January 5, 2026, at the new fee structure.

12. When does the new Certification Program launch?

TICO’s new Certification Program launches on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Exam payments until January 4, 2026

If you sign up and pay for the existing Travel Counsellor, Supervisor/Manager or combo exam until January 4, 2026, you will have six months from the date you pay to write your exam.

Example: If you sign up and pay on January 4, 2026 (last day under the existing program), you will have until July 4, 2026 to write your exam.

If you write your exam within your six-month window and fail, you can continue to purchase exam re-writes under the existing program re-write policy and fee until December 31, 2026.

After December 31, 2026, if you have not successfully completed your exam, you will be required to register and pay for the new program.

Program registrations on or after January 5, 2026

Anyone who signs up and pays for their exam on or after January 5, 2026 will be directed into the new TICO Certification Program.

13. Will the new Certification Program cover the same material as what is covered in the existing manual?

The new Certification Program content continues to be focused on the requirements under the Travel Industry Act, 2002 and Regulation 26/05, however the way the information is presented, taught, and displayed has been streamlined and made more straightforward. The program includes interactive modules, practice materials and questions, and a user-friendly platform.

14. How much will the new TICO Certification Program cost?

Program Component	Existing Fee (Until January 4, 2026)	New Fee (As of January 5, 2026)
Travel Counsellor Exam	$35	N/A – will offer as combination exam
Supervisor/Manager Exam	$35	N/A – will offer as combination exam
Combination Exam	$50	$150
Exam Re-Write Fee	$24 (Will continue to be available until December 31, 2026)	$50

15. 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 new, enhanced program.

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.

16. Why are the Travel Counsellor and Supervisor/Manager Certifications being combined into one exam?

This new approach ensures that every travel professional, regardless of their role, gains a deeper understanding of the responsibilities that support regulatory compliance and consumer protection.

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 content currently in the Supervisor/Manager section of the manual has practical value for everyone, not just those in leadership positions.

The updated program covers key areas such as consumer complaint handling, record keeping, compliance and enforcement, and other regulatory responsibilities, giving every new entrant a comprehensive understanding of Ontario’s consumer protection laws.

We recognize that not everyone will take on a leadership role, however the new format helps build a more complete understanding of regulatory requirements and consumer protection practices, without the learning experience feeling overwhelming or complicated.

Enhancing the Certification Program strengthens travel professionals’ knowledge as they enter the industry, which in turn will benefit the consumers they guide in their travel purchases.

17. Will the new TICO Certification Program still include chapter quizzes and sample exam questions allowing students to practice before the exam?

The new interactive TICO Certification Program includes knowledge checks along the way and summary knowledge checks that are similar to the exam at the end of each module, allowing learners to verify their understanding of key concepts throughout the program.

18. Will the new program still require mandatory waiting periods between failed attempts?

Yes, this will remain unchanged. The current re-write wait times continue to apply:

• First exam rewrite – 24-hour waiting period after receiving results.
• Second exam rewrite – 5-day waiting period after receiving results.
• Third and subsequent exam rewrites – 30-day waiting period after receiving results.

19. Will special needs accommodation still be available with the new TICO Certification Program?

Yes, TICO will continue to accommodate special needs.

20. Will the new TICO Certification Program exam be proctored virtually?

Yes, the new exam will be proctored virtually in the same way as the existing exam. It can be written anytime, from anywhere.

21. Will the current dual video proctoring system continue to be used with the new TICO Certification Program?

Yes, this will remain unchanged.

24. Will the new TICO Certification Program still require photo identification to be uploaded with each exam attempt?

Yes, this will remain unchanged.