How to Be a New York City Personal Tour Guide

General knowledge of New York City's landmarks, history, and culture is essential for tour guides.

A career as a New York City tour guide may be a fulfilling experience if you love the city and the culture, history, and stories it contains. Starting as a tour guide in New York will increase your chances of giving tours in other countries or cities, should you decide to do so. Whatever your goals, your job as a New York City tour guide provides for a work experience unlike anything you will find working in an office building.

Things You'll Need

• Resume

Instructions

1. 

   A solid understanding of landmarks and their significance is required to pass the license exam.

   Obtain as much general information about New York City as you can. City tour guides must pass a 150-point professional license examination with a score of 97 or higher. Topics covered by the test include basic travel information like using public transportation, New York City history, art and culture, ethnic history, park information and landmark recognition. Residents of New York have a distinct advantage regarding this information, so you should consider living in the city before attempting this exam.

2. Contact the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs to schedule a sightseeing professional license examination.

3. Research prospective tour companies in the city to determine the right group for you. For example, food aficionados may enjoy conducting tours with a group like Nosh Walks. The official New York City website suggests the Guides Association of New York City for exploring tour guide opportunities.

4. Compile and update your resume before contacting your selected tour group. The group will want to see prior work history and activities in which you participated before conducting an interview.

5. Call or email the tour group that interests you to set up an interview.

Tips & Warnings

• The Guides Association of New York City is a city-recommended source of information regarding employment opportunities as a tour guide. The GANYC also includes "guide insurance" policies with membership fees.

• There is no penalty for failing the professional license test required of all New York City sightseeing guides.

• Follow a few tours in the city before you attempt to conduct one. You will learn tips and methods that you can apply to your own tours.

• You may not earn a steady income at the beginning of your tour guide career. Consider giving tours part-time until you are financially able and emotionally comfortable enough to conduct tours on a full-time basis.

References

• NYC Sightseeing License Requirements
• Guides Association of New York City

Resources

• Guides Association of New York City
• New York City Department of Consumer Affairs