Washington DC Tour Guide License

The only requirement Bi-Partisan Tour Company has for hiring DC tour guides is that staff must have a current license or be scheduled to take the exam before getting scheduled for tours. We support training guides all year and part of this is to work as a partner with one of our experienced guides.

Our philosophy at Bi-Partisan Tour Company isn’t about a certain degree or degrees one might have, or even what memberships to some historical or professional organization that proves a person’s interest or commitment. The primary concern we have in training someone to be a DC guide, is can the person tell a story? If you can tell a good story, then you are likely an interesting person that people can engage with for a few hours or maybe a day or more. There is nothing worse than paying money for something that is dull and puts you to sleep, anyone can learn information and recite it, can you make others laugh and smile, or more importantly can you laugh?

We don’t care about age, but all of our guides our young at heart and enjoy sharing their experiences with others visiting DC in entertaining fashion. We have worked with stay at home moms and dads, we work with government employees, many undergraduate and post graduate students, and more. Not everyone could get through the public speaking factor, but we’ve had several students that told us if it wasn’t for guiding they wouldn’t have had the confidence to enroll in law school!

If you are in school or are looking for a part-time job, tour guiding is one of the best out there, no other job can you maximize your time and income quite as much. Working in a restaurant may come a close second, but generally you have to work much longer and don’t have nearly as much fun. Come join us if you think you can be light-hearted and entertaining, Bi-Partisan Tour Company can teach you the rest. We strive to have fun and love the art of story-telling, the best of luck with your licensing, feel free to contact us if you need any help.

District of Columbia Licensing Regulations

“No person shall for hire guide or escort any person through or about the District of Columbia unless he/she shall have first secured a license to do so.”

“Licenses must be clearly visible at all times for purposes of enforcement.”

District of Columbia Municipal Regulations 19, Section 47-2836.

Obtaining a D.C. Tour Guide License

For information about taking the Tour Guide examination and other requirements contact:

D.C. Department of Consumer and Rgulatory Affairs  
1100 4th Street SW
Washington, DC 20024
dcra@dc.gov
Phone: (202) 442-4400