TOUR GUIDES

Charleston, S.C., City Code ch. 29, art. III

in effect

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-58 Business license—Required.

Sec. 29-58. - Business license—Required. No person shall act or offer to act as a tour guide in the city for hire unless he or she has a City of Charleston business license or works for a tour business with a City of Charleston business license. (Ord. No. 2007-203, § 1, 10-23-07; Ord. No. 2016-054, § 2, 4-26-16; Ord. No. 2023-063, § 4, 3-28-23)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-59 Voluntary tour guide certification.

Sec. 29-59. - Voluntary tour guide certification. (a) The written examination shall be based upon materials approved by the tourism commission which shall be made available to the public by department of livability and tourism for a fee. (b) The department of livability and tourism shall prepare and administer the written examination which is meant to test the applicant's knowledge of the city and its history. (c) At the time of the examination, applicants shall provide: (1) Current driver's license or state-issued identification; or (2) A recent photograph and other proof of identification to the satisfaction of the director of livability and tourism or his/her designee; and (3) A receipt indicating proof of payment for examination. (d) The examination shall be given twice a month at a time and place to be determined by the director of livability and tourism or his/her designee however, in case of hardship, the examination may be scheduled sooner. (e) The examination shall be uniform for all persons taking the examination on the same day. (f) An applicant shall receive a passing grade for the examination when seventy (70) percent of the questions asked are answered correctly. An applicant must receive a passing grade on the written examination before being granted a tour guide certification. (g) It shall be the duty of the director of livability and tourism or his/her designee to review each examination to determine if a passing grade has been attained. (h) Individuals found cheating on the tour guide certification examination shall receive a failing grade on the examination and shall be disqualified from re-taking the examination for a period of one (1) year. (i) The voluntary certification of a tour guide shall expire on December 31 of the third year after its issuance. Renewal of certification can be met in one (1) of the two (2) following ways: (1) Re-taking and obtaining a passing grade of seventy (70) percent on the examination. (2) A tour guide may renew their certification by showing proof of attendance at four (4) approved continuing education lectures since the guide's last test or renewal. Approved courses shall be on a list maintained by the city per section 29-64. (j) A tour guide maintaining certification for a period of twenty-five (25) consecutive years shall achieve the status of tour guide emeritus and shall be issued a permanent certified tour guide ID with no expiration date and shall be exempt from further examination and education requirements. (Ord. No. 2007-203, § 2, 10-23-07; Ord. No. 2015-164, § 12, 11-10-15; Ord. No. 2016-054, § 3, 4-26-16; Ord. No. 2023-063, § 5, 3-28-23)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-60 Reserved.

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-61 Tour guide identification card.

Sec. 29-61. - Tour guide identification card. (a) Upon successfully meeting all the requirements of the voluntary certification program and after verification of a business license, the applicant shall be issued a certified tour guide ID by the department of livability and tourism. (b) Individuals choosing not to participate in the voluntary certification program may request an ID by the department of livability and tourism once they have completed the following requirements. (1) First time tour guide applicants shall sign an acknowledgement stating that they have reviewed the current tour regulations and that they understand that these regulations apply to their tour activities. (2) Individuals must provide a copy of their business license if independently employed or a copy of their employer's business license and a signed acknowledgement form from the department of livability and tourism showing that they are employed by them. (Ord. No. 2007-203, § 2, 10-23-07; Ord. No. 2015-164, § 14, 11-10-15; Ord. No. 2016-054, § 5, 4-26-16; Ord. No. 2023-063, § 6, 3-28-23)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-62 Display of tour guide identification card.

Sec. 29-62. - Display of tour guide identification card. (a) Every person conducting tours shall wear their tour guide identification card (ID) or a copy of their state issued ID on his or her person in plain view at all times when exercising the privileges of such license. (b) Additionally, every person acting as a tour guide, must carry on their person proof of valid business license and picture identification. (Ord. No. 2007-203, § 2, 10-23-07; Ord. No. 2023-063, § 7, 3-28-23)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-63 Continuing education.

Sec. 29-63. - Continuing education. The tourism commission shall maintain a list of sources on the history of the city and shall offer continuing education programs and encourage tour guides to participate therein. (Ord. No. 2007-203, § 2, 10-23-07; Ord. No. 2023-063, § 8, 3-28-23)

Charleston, S.C., City Code § 29-64 Reporting requirements.

Sec. 29-64. - Reporting requirements. All businesses or tour guides, conducting tours for hire shall file on a monthly basis, in a format required by the revenue collections division of the department of budget, finance and revenue collection, the number of tours conducted and the number of people involved in each tour. (Ord. No. 2007-203, § 2, 10-23-07; Ord. No. 2015-164, § 15, 11-10-15; Ord. No. 2023-063, § 8, 3-28-23)

Source: City of Charleston, South Carolina, Code of Ordinances and Zoning Ordinance (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/sc/charleston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=CICO_CH29TO_ARTIIITOGUFetched: 11/7/2026