by Kimberly Hopkins

Created on: April 04, 2010   Last Updated: April 05, 2010

Becoming a travel agent is not as simple as joining a company. They would have you believe it, but I'm afraid it's not that simple. Read on.

First of all if you are looking to start a real business then you must know your state laws. The following states require you to be licensed to run and operate a Iowa, Maine, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rode Island, Virginia, and Washington.

If you live in one of these 14 states then you will need to find a school that offers training. Luckily there are schools in most of these states. You could also do a search to find a school that allows you to take the classes on-line. If you go through a college near you, financial aid can assist you.

Next if you don't want to go through a school locally you have Penn Foster that will allow you to take it from home, and yes they are accredited with the American Society of Travel Agents. And with payment plans it makes it a lot easier.

Once you have taken your classes and become a certified travel agent you can now open a business, go to work for a business already open, or operate out of your home.

Check local statistics and make sure your investment to learning will be worth it in the long run. You can use America Career Info-net to see how much you could make locally.

Keep your chin up, you could be the next Orbitz

Watch out for companies just wanting your money! There are so many out there it isn't funny.

I had been contacted years ago, almost buying into this, until I was told I needed to pay $1000 up front. When I went on the Internet and searched I found that my state was one of the 14 that required certification. I was floored, the woman that tried selling me this didn't even know herself. She was just a work at home Mom trying to earn money. No one had told her this. So always make sure you don't have to have some kind of certification before you invest in any travel agent business. Because most of the time they don't even know you have a state requirement to meet. They don't have to research that before offering you a place in the business. So always do your own research. As well as research the company. You never know unless you check, it could be a scam asking for money and never supplying anything in return.

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