Host Agency for Travel Agents: FAQ

To sell travel or provide advice in Ontario, you must be TICO Certified under the Travel Industry Act. You are required to pass the TICO exam before joining our host agency.

Register for the TICO Exam here

Since My Host Agent is based in Ontario, all client payments go through our Ontario trust accounts. Therefore, you need to be TICO-certified, regardless of your home province. Interprovincial laws require any agent selling travel with an Ontario license to meet the same educational standards as Ontario residents. This certification also grants your clients access to the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund, which can reimburse them up to $5,000 if a travel supplier defaults. You can start the process by registering for the exam through the TICO Certification Program.

Related Reading:

Why Top Alberta Travel Advisors Choose My Host Agent

In Alberta, the law is strict: Independent Contractors (ICs) are not considered employees and therefore cannot sell travel insurance under a host agency’s Restricted Certificate of Authority. To legally sell insurance, an IC must hold their own individual license or be specifically covered under a business license in which the host’s Errors & Omissions (E&O) policy explicitly names and covers independent contractors. To get started, you must first register for a CIPR number and then apply for your license through the Alberta Insurance Council (AIC) portal here: AIC Portal – Apply for a License.

This guide covers travel and insurance requirements for starting a travel business in each Province. Read: How to Become a Travel Agent in Canada →

To ensure full regulatory compliance, Québec-based advisors must hold two key certifications:

OPC Certification: In accordance with the Travel Agents Act, you must pass the mandatory exam and obtain a certificate from the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC). This process is typically administered through the ITHQ.

This is a two-step process:

1. Register for a CCV file number with the OPC here.

2. Book your mandatory exam through the ITHQ here.

TICO Certification: In addition to provincial requirements, Québec agents must also successfully complete the TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario) exam to join our host travel agency.

Register for the TICO Certification Program here.

By holding both credentials, you guarantee full authorization to sell travel services throughout Canada and offer your clients maximum consumer protection.

Yes! We welcome agents from across Canada. However, because My Host Agent is an Ontario-registered agency and you are physically located in BC, you must comply with the regulations of both provinces.

Under BC law, you are considered an “Outside Sales Representative” (OSR) or “Independent Contractor,” and there are specific legal steps you must take to operate legally.

1. Mandatory Ontario (TICO) Certification

Regardless of your residency, because you are representing an Ontario-registered agency, you must meet the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) education standards.

The Requirement: You must pass the TICO Certification Exam. As of January 5, 2026, this is a single, interactive e-learning program that replaces the old two-level system.

Cost: $150.

Link: TICO Certification Program & Registration

2. British Columbia (CPBC) Licensing

Because you are conducting business from within BC, you fall under the jurisdiction of Consumer Protection BC (CPBC).

The Requirement: Every location where travel is sold in BC must be licensed. As an independent contractor, you typically operate as a “branch” under our host agency’s BC license.

Your Status: You do not need to provide your own independent $15,000 security bond; you are covered by My Host Agent’s registration, provided we are registered in BC.

Link: Consumer Protection BC – Travel Industry Obligations

3. Selling Travel Insurance in BC

If you plan to offer travel insurance to your BC-based clients, there are strict educational requirements set by the Insurance Council of BC.

The Requirement: You must pass the Council-approved travel insurance exam (administered by ACTA) and complete 2 hours of Continuing Education (CE) every year.

Link: Insurance Council of BC – Travel Insurance Requirements

Exam Link: ACTA Travel Insurance Certification

4. Operational Compliance

Invoicing: All client receipts and advertisements must clearly display the host agency’s TICO and CPBC license numbers.

Compensation Fund: Processing all sales through our Ontario systems ensures your clients are protected by the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund.

Requirements vary by province. While all My Host Agent advisors must pass the TICO exam, agents in British Columbia (BPCPA) or Saskatchewan may have additional local registration requirements. We recommend checking your province’s specific guidelines to ensure you are fully compliant.

This guide covers travel and insurance requirements for starting a travel business in each Province. Read: How to Become a Travel Agent in Canada →

Yes. Your split increases as your sales volume grows. For more details, review our specific commission tiers on the Fees & Benefits page.

We pay commissions when we receive them from the supplier. Subsequently, we distribute payments to our advisors via Interac e-Transfer on a monthly basis.

No, we do not hold back your earnings. If a chargeback occurs, we either deduct the amount from your future commission payments or invoice you for it. We never charge interest on chargebacks.

We pay out commissions the moment we receive them. We work closely with preferred suppliers and rarely see delays. However, if a payment is late, we proactively contact the tour operator to ensure you are paid promptly.

We are a TRAVELSAVERS agency, which gives you access to an extensive list of preferred suppliers. You can view the complete list here.

You face no limits. However, when you book through our preferred suppliers, you usually earn higher commission rates and secure exclusive perks or amenities for your clients.

Absolutely. We support advisors at all stages. Whether you want to build a full-time career or grow your business at a slower, part-time pace, you will find the flexibility you need here.

That is perfectly fine. As long as you continue to pay the $35 monthly fee, we keep your email and tool logins active and ready for you when you return. You can seamlessly pick up where you left off with your host agency for travel agents.