How to Get an ARC Accreditation
This guide is for informational purposes only. SuretyBonds.com does not regulate or manage ARC Accreditations. Contact the Airline Reporting Commission for the latest official requirements.
How to Become an ARC-Accredited Travel Agency
Industry accreditation is important for travel agencies to be recognized as legitimate and reliable. If you plan to issue airline tickets, you will need ARC accreditation.
Continue reading for step-by-step application instructions and a breakdown of accreditation benefits.
What Is ARC Accreditation?
The Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC) regulates all transactions between airlines and travel agencies in the United States. You need ARC accreditation if you plan to independently issue airline tickets to customers.
Partnered with over 200 airlines, ARC accreditation offers travel agencies the following benefits:
- Ticket Purchasing: ARC settles funds between agencies and airlines. This is the only way you can book and issue airline tickets without a host agency or consolidating partner.
- Industry Credibility: Airlines typically only partner with ARC-accredited agencies because it guarantees payment for tickets.
- Toolkit: ARC provides access to data analytics tools that allow you to track and compare performance alongside industry trends.
Accreditation is available for all travel agencies based in the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and American Samoa.
How Do I Get an ARC Accreditation?
To apply for ARC accreditation, follow these 6 steps:
Step 1: Register your business
Your agency must first be registered and authorized to do business in the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or American Samoa.
Check your state’s travel agency requirements to ensure you meet them. When applying, you’ll need to provide entity papers, an IRS Employer ID Number and any local jurisdiction licenses.
Note: If your agency is international, you’ll need the International Air Transport Association (IATA) accreditation instead.
Step 2: Designate an ARC Specialist
Your agency needs a designated ARC Specialist before you can apply for accreditation. This person will serve as an expert in ARC’s ticketing and settlement processes.
You can become a designated agent by completing the ARC Specialist Training and Certification Program and passing an exam.
You also need to designate an agency manager, who can be the same person as the Specialist.
Step 3: Purchase a surety bond
The Airline Reporting Corporation requires a surety bond as a means to recover funds if an agency mishandles ticket funds or violates its reporting obligations.
Your exact bond amount will depend on your combined cash sales from all the locations, with a minimum of $20,000. You only need one bond for all locations, except for associate branches.
Apply for your free ARC bond quote online from SuretyBonds.com. Premiums cost as little as 1% of the total bond amount.
Note: You may also need a travel agency bond depending on your state’s licensing requirements.
Step 4: Complete training course
Next, complete the agent security training. To remain accredited, you must take a training course every six months.
Step 5: Gather supporting documents
In addition to completing the application form, you will need to submit the following materials:
- Personal history forms (for every owner)
- Entity papers
- IRS Employer ID Number
- Licenses for local jurisdictions (if applicable)
- Bank Signature Card or Signed Notice from your financial institution
- Copy of lease or title for location
- Prior year tax filings for business
- Business financial statement (audited preferred)
- ARC Specialist certificate
- Proof of required training
Email all documents to [email protected]. The application process typically takes about 90 days.
You can pay the $2,300 application fee online via the ARC payment portal.
Step 6: Complete an interview
Once your application is reviewed, an ARC Specialist will contact you to schedule an in-person interview as the final step. After completing the interview, you’ll receive your official accreditation.
How to Renew Your ARC Accreditation
ARC accreditations don’t have a set expiration date. To remain accredited, pay all fees on time and complete an agent security training course every six months.
Fees include the annual agency location fee, quarterly transaction fees and any other applicable fees. Specific amounts are updated every year on the ARC website.
You’ll also need to pay your surety bond renewal premium to maintain coverage.
How Much Does It Cost to Get an ARC Accreditation?
You can expect to pay at least $3,000 to get your ARC accreditation. However, this amount can vary based on your surety bond premium:
- Surety bond: Varies based on amount and credit score, starting at $200*
- Application fee: $2,300
- Specialist training and exam: $550
*This reflects typical SuretyBonds.com premium rates for one year of $20,000 coverage. Select your exact bond amount for a free personalized quote.
How to Get Certified as an ARC Specialist
To become a certified ARC Specialist, you first need to register for the required online or in-person training courses. Training covers ARC's settlement process, including their systems and procedures.
The 90-minute online exam will be administered on the final day of classes. You must pass with a score of 70%. The fee is $550 for the training and exam, or $300 for just the exam.
You’ll also need to complete one continuing education course per year to remain certified. There is no fee for CE. However, you must pay and retake the exam if you fail to complete the required CE course on time.
Can I Reduce My Bond Amount?
After two years of accreditation, the ARC will reduce your bond amount to $10,000 unless a higher amount is required by the terms of the ARA (Agent Reporting Agreement).
If you’re submitting a Type 5 ownership change (changes to entity and owners), you will need to provide an entirely new bond. The amount will be either that prior to the ownership change or $20,000, whichever is greater.
If submitting a Type 3 ownership change or a legal name change, you must provide an amendment in the form of a bond rider.
What Is an Associate Branch?
An associate branch is not the same as a typical travel agency branch. The ARC considers any agency location not owned as a single entity with the Home Office Location (HOL) as an associate branch. The HOL has an ownership interest, but it does not have 100% ownership.
The home office still has full responsibility for the associate branch and must file a $150,000 surety bond or other approved financial security.
What’s the Difference Between an ARC-Accredited Agency and a Verified Travel Consultant?
If you’re a U.S.-based agency and don’t plan to issue airline tickets, you can become a Verified Travel Consultant to still gain access to other ARC benefits.
Through this program, you still get a unique ID number and can be found on the ARC’s Agency List. You’ll also gain access to supplier inventory and toolkit services.
There’s no surety bond requirement since you won’t be issuing tickets.
You can further compare your accreditation options on the ARC website.
Do I Need an IATA Accreditation?
The Airline Reporting Corporation certifies U.S.-based travel agencies, while the International Air Transport Association (IATA) works with international agencies.
U.S. agencies can receive the International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN) accreditation, which is the same as full IATA accreditation but for U.S. businesses only. There’s a ticketing and non-ticketing program.
You can apply for an IATAN non-ticketing accreditation without an ARC accreditation. However, you need to get ARC accredited first before applying for the ticketing option. Your ARC and IATAN number will be the same.
Having IATAN accreditation in addition to ARC can open you up to more airline discounts and increase your industry recognition.
Last Updated: August 1, 2025
