The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) takes a serious view of the standards of tourist guides in Singapore, and the tourist guide licensing examination plays a vital role in ensuring high standards of tour guiding.

To qualify for a licence, a candidate has to pass the theory and practical exams.

The objective of the theory exam is to ensure candidates have adequate knowledge of Singapore's tourism offerings. The exam is administered in the form of 150 multiple-choice questions.

The practical exam is designed to ensure candidates have the competencies to conduct and manage a tour.

Candidates are assessed on several criteria such as product knowledge, language proficiency, and story- telling and tour management skills. Candidates who are unsuccessful may re-sit the exams.

Following feedback from candidates, a tourist guide exams review panel was set up in November last year.

Candidates with at least two unsuccessful attempts in the practical exam now have the opportunity to seek a review of their results if they apply within 14 calendar days of obtaining the practical exam results, and on paying a review fee of $350.

The fee is administered in view of the resources required to conduct a review. The review panel comprises experienced industry members and all cases are considered carefully.

Video recordings of candidates sitting for the practical exam have also been introduced to aid the review panel in their evaluation.

With the review system in place, we offered Mr Ong and his peers the option to apply for a review in November last year.

As Mr Ong and his peers sat for the exams before video recordings were introduced, they would have to participate in a review tour, where their performance would be recorded on video, for the review panel to better assess their case.

However, as there was no response from Mr Ong and his peers after the deadline, we considered the matter as closed.

As the licensing authority for tourist guides in Singapore, the STB issues tourist guide licences only to candidates who have successfully passed both the theory and practical exams.

Training organisations conducting courses to prepare candidates for the theory and practical exams may issue certificates of attendance or completion according to their individual policies.

Muhammad Rostam Umar
Director, Communications
Singapore Tourism Board