To work as a tour guide, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete moderate-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

No formal education is required beyond high school. However, some tour guides learn skills through programs offered by two-year colleges and travel associations. In this type of program you study geography, history, and communications. It is also helpful if you learn a language other than English. Training programs last about nine months.

On-the-job training

Many tour guides receive informal, on-the-job training from an employer or experienced worker. On the job, you learn customer service and site history or geography. Training may last from a few months to a year, with shorter training times more common.