Tour Guides
The City of Williamsburg requires the testing and licensing of tour guides operating in the restored area of the city. In 1992, Williamsburg City Council passed an ordinance requiring the testing and licensing of tour guides operating in the restored area of the city. In spring 1999 a committee was formed to study the effectiveness of the ordinance. That group concluded that the 1992 ordinance needed more specific criteria to permit its equitable implementation. To this end, several changes were made to the ordinance:
Upon receipt of an application for tour guide license (application form enclosed), a criminal background check is conducted.
To facilitate enforcement of the ordinance, tour guides must display their license when conducting tours.
The licensing fee established is $100 every three years.
The new ordinance includes criteria for suspension and revocation of licensing as well as an appeal process.
Prior to the issuance of a tour guide license, proof of a business license or an exemption must be obtained.
The amended tour guide ordinance became effective March 1, 2000. Testing is conducted at the Williamsburg Police Department, located at 425 Armistead Avenue, Williamsburg, VA 23185. The test coordinator is LeeAnn Petersen, 757-259-7203 (lpeterse@williamsburgva.gov). Applicants must call LeeAnn Petersen for a testing appointment. Testing facilities are limited to 25 applicants per day. Payments must be made in the form of cash, check or money order. Credit cards are not acceptable.
The study syllabus, test study materials, and sample test questions can be found on the City’s Police Department web page. Please note that test questions have been developed from the materials and the textbooks identified in the syllabus.
A Tour Guide License application must be completed, signed by the applicant, notarized, and returned. Note that if the application and testing result in the qualification of the applicant for licensing, a copy of a business license or exemption must be obtained from the Williamsburg Commissioner of the Revenue (Municipal Building, 401 Lafayette Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185; Ph # 757-220-6150).
Please address questions to LeeAnn Petersen by phone or e-mail as listed above. For more information, consult the Tour Guide Ordinance #26-99, and the license application.