Licensed tour guides in Italy
In Italy, taking visitors around museums, archaeological sites and historic centers and telling their story as a job is reserved for people with a license. A licensed tour guide has passed the exam required by law and is listed on the National Register of the Italian Ministry of Tourism. Recognizing one is easy, and checking takes a few seconds.
What a licensed tour guide is
A licensed tour guide is the professional who explains the historical, artistic, archaeological and natural heritage to visitors. Since 2023 the profession has been regulated at national level by Law no. 190 of December 13, 2023: anyone who passes the licensing exam, or already held a license under the previous rules, is listed on the National Register of Tour Guides, active since December 20, 2024.
A tour guide is not the same as a tour leader, who travels with groups and takes care of the arrangements but does not give guided tours.
How someone becomes a licensed tour guide
Being of age, a high school diploma and full civil and political rights.
A multiple-choice written test on art history, history, geography, archaeology, tourism law and cultural heritage; an oral exam including at least one foreign language at B2 level; a practical test, a simulated guided tour.
Once listed, the guide receives a personal QR code that is valid for working anywhere in Italy.
The full rules are on the website of the Italian Ministry of Tourism (in Italian).
How to check that a guide is licensed
All you need is your phone and a few seconds, before you book or when you meet.
Every guide on the National Register has a personal one, on their badge or on their phone.
The guide's profile opens on the Ministry's website, with their license, specializations and languages.
The name and details must belong to the person in front of you. If there is no QR code, you can search for the guide by name on the National Register.
Looking for a guide who is already verified?
See the licensed tour guides on AskTour in these cities:
Every guide on AskTour is licensed
AskTour is the app for licensed tour guides in Italy, where guides hand over the tours they cannot do and take on the ones other guides leave. A license is required to join, and we check it before approving every profile.
Checked one by one
Our team verifies every registration before access is granted. No license, no access.
Badge read from the QR code
In the app every guide can scan the QR code on their own badge: the details come straight from the National Register.
In Italy's art cities
From Rome to Milan, from Florence to Naples: AskTour is opening one region at a time.
Tours you can book
Many guides offer their own tours on AskTour: you choose a date and send your booking request on the website.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a tour guide is licensed?+
Can a licensed tour guide work anywhere in Italy?+
What is the difference between a tour guide and a tour leader?+
Are the guides on AskTour licensed?+
Find a tour with a licensed guide
Choose a tour, pick a date and send your request on the website. No app to download.
See the tours