Tour Director training costs time and money, and schools are not all alike. Before you pay a deposit or enroll anywhere, ask these five questions. A good school will answer every one without hesitating.

1. Who licenses the school?

A private career school should be licensed by a state agency that sets standards and handles student complaints. Ask for the agency’s name, then look it up. The International Guide Academy (IGA) is licensed by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Private Occupational School Board.

2. How long has it been training Tour Directors?

Longevity shows that a school’s graduates keep finding work and that the industry keeps trusting it. IGA has been Training and Certifying Tour Directors and Tour Guides since 1973.

3. Does anyone fail?

This is the question other schools least like to hear. If every student passes, the certificate proves attendance, not ability. At IGA, certification has to be earned, and not every student earns it. In other words, yes, students do fail and the Tour Operators who will hire you know this.

4. Will you actually practice the job?

Commentary, timing, and handling a group are learned by doing them. Ask whether students lead a real motorcoach trip during training. IGA Tour Director students do.

5. What happens after graduation?

Training is only worth something if it leads to work. Ask what help graduates get and for how long. IGA Tour Director graduates receive free lifetime placement assistance, including job leads from Tour Operators for as long as they want them.

Write the answers down for every school you consider and compare them side by side. The differences show up fast.

The next IGA Tour Director class runs December 5 – 13, 2026, in person in Denver, and enrollment is open for every scheduled 2027 class. Go to the enrollment form or book a free 15-minute call with IGA President Daniel Slater.