Introduction

To meet the development needs of the industry, TIA launched the “specialized tourist guide licensing programme” in 2026, under which specialized tourist guide (STG) licences are issued for individual professional areas to encourage the industry to nurture tourist guide talent with specialist knowledge. At present, one of the STG licences introduced by TIA  is the reception services tourist guide licence.

Licensing Criteria

Applicants for a tourist guide licence must fulfil the relevant licensing criteria. Please refer to the TIA webpage for details. To apply for a restricted reception services tourist guide licence, please visit the TIA webpage for detailed information and licensing criteria (including special arrangements for any person who has passed a written examination of the licensing examination of tourist guides). 

If you have question regarding the licensing criteria, including whether you have fulfilled the educational requirement, please contact the TIA by email at enquiry@tia.org.hk or by phone at (852) 3698 5900 for enquiries.

Important Notes

I. Application Requirements

1. Applicant must have reached age 16
2. If the candidate passed the licensing examination, the candidate can apply for a license from the Travel Industry Authority within a two-year period (limited period) from the date of the examination.  The examination result will be invalid after the two-year period, and the candidate may retake the examination.

II. Fundings Scheme

Training subsidy scheme for practitioners of the travel industry (Phase 3)

Individuals who hold a tourist guide licence and / or tour escort licence in the period from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2028 may apply for a subsidy on a reimbursement basis. Please visit the TIA webpage for details of the training subsidy scheme for practitioners of the travel industry (Phase 3).

III. Examination Arrangements

1. A minimum of 15 applicants and a maximum of 30 applicants are required for each examination. When the number of candidates for each examination is less than the minimum number of candidates for the examination, the staff of the TIC Industry Training Department will notify the candidates by email that the examination date will be cancelled and a new examination schedule will be provided. The examination will be arranged depends on the actual situation.
2. The tentative examination timetable will be changed in light of the actual situation.

IV. Arrangement for Absence of Examination

1. Once an examination has been registered, no changes or cancellations will be permitted.
2. Absence will be regarded as giving up the examination, and are required to submit a new application and fees for a re-sit.
3. Candidates who cannot sit the examination because of personal health or disease prevention reasons must inform the TIC before the examination starts by phone or e-mail, and submit a medical certificate from the day of the exam along with an administration fee to reschedule the examination. Please contact Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong for details.
4. Candidates who arrive after 15 minutes of the examination has begun will be regarded as giving up the examination, and will NOT be permitted to enter the examination venue.
   
   

V. Examination Paper

In Chinese Only

*English examination paper will be arranged individually. Before any enrollment, please email to the TIC Training Department (training@tichk.org) and states in the subject "Application for English Licensing Examination of Reception Services Tourist Guides" for further arrangement.

VI. Examination Certificate

Examination results will be released by e-mail within 6 weeks after the examination date. Examination Certificate (in electronic format) will be issued for candidates who pass the examination.

VII. Result Review

Candidates have doubts about the examination results may request for a review.

Please contact Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong for details. 

(Candidate shall submit an application form together with a review fee within 30 days after their examination results notification has been sent by the TIC. Result review application filed after above-mentioned 30-day period will not be considered.)

VIII. Appeal System

The appeal system has been in place since 2007. Candidates who are dissatisfied with their examination results may request for an appeal.

Please contact Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong for details. 

(Candidates shall submit an application form together with an appeal fee within 30 days after their examination results notification has been sent by the TIC. Appeal application filed after above-mentioned 30-day period will not be considered.)