The difference between travel qualification certificate and travel certificate

The tour guide qualification certificate is what we call the professional qualification examination. Generally speaking, what we call the tour guide certificate examination is the qualification certificate. After you have the qualification certificate, you can find a travel agency to apply for a tour guide IC card. That is the tour guide certificate, the one you bring with you when you go on a tour.

In short: the qualification certificate is the qualification to practice, and the tour guide certificate is the permission to work.

According to the "Regulations on the Management of Tour Guides", the tour guide qualification certificate and the tour guide certificate are two related but different certificates. The connection between the two is that the tour guide qualification certificate is a necessary prerequisite for obtaining a tour guide license. That is to say, in order to obtain a tour guide license, you must first obtain the tour guide qualification certificate. However, it should be noted that obtaining a tour guide qualification certificate does not necessarily mean obtaining a tour guide license.

The difference between the tour guide qualification certificate and the tour guide certificate is:

(1) Different nature

The tour guide qualification certificate is a sign that someone has the professional qualifications to engage in tour guides The tour guide certificate is a certificate that indicates that the country allows someone to engage in the tour guide profession. The former indicates that someone is qualified for the tour guide profession, while the latter indicates that someone is allowed to engage in the tour guide profession.

(2) Different certification agencies

The tour guide qualification certificate is issued by the tourism administration department of the State Council or the tourism department of the people's government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government entrusted by the tourism administration department of the State Council; and Tour guide certificates are issued by the tourism departments of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government.

(3) The procedures for obtaining it are different

The tour guide qualification certificate must be obtained from the tourism administration department after taking the tour guide qualification examination and passing it; while the tour guide certificate must be obtained by the tour guide. The qualification certificate can be obtained from the tourism administration department only after signing a labor contract with a travel agency or registering with a tour guide service company.

(4) Different functions

The tour guide qualification certificate only indicates that the holder is qualified to engage in the tour guide profession, but it does not actually engage in the tour guide profession; while the tour guide certificate indicates that the holder is qualified to engage in the tour guide profession. Holders of the certificate can actually engage in the profession of tour guide. The former is the qualification to practice; the latter is the license to practice.

(5) Time limit

There is no time limit for the tour guide qualification certificate; while the tour guide certificate has a time limit, that is, Article 8, paragraph 2, of the "Tour Guide Management Regulations" stipulates: "The tour guide certificate is valid for 3 years." If someone needs to continue to engage in tour guide activities after the validity period expires, they should apply to the tourism administrative department of the people's government of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government for renewal three months before the validity period expires. Procedures for issuing a tour guide permit. The validity period of temporary tour guide certificate purchase shall not exceed 3 months and shall not be extended.