Summary
Seller-of-travel is a US state requirement in certain states
Fora is registered in all required states: California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada, Washington
Most advisors operate under Fora's registration—no additional registration needed
Disclosure templates and guidance provided approximately one week after joining
If you register independently, you're fully responsible for all compliance requirements
Operating under Fora means following Fora's compliance procedures
What is seller of travel?
Seller-of-travel (SOT) registration is a US state requirement that applies to businesses that sell travel services. It's designed to protect consumers through:
Business registration
Financial requirements (bonds, trust accounts)
Disclosure requirements
Consumer protection standards
Not all states require SOT registration. Key states with requirements include California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada, and Washington.
Fora's registrations
State | Status |
California | Registered |
Florida | Registered |
Hawaii | Registered |
Iowa | Registered |
Nevada | Registered |
Washington | Registered |
What this means for you
Most advisors operate under Fora's registration. This means:
You don't need your own registration
Fora handles the compliance requirements
You follow Fora's disclosure procedures
You benefit from Fora's established compliance
Advisor obligations when operating under fora
Obligation | Details |
Use proper disclosures | Templates provided during onboarding (approximately one week after joining) |
Follow Fora procedures | Compliance guidelines in training |
Represent as Fora advisor | Maintain clear Fora affiliation in client-facing materials—this is required for E&O insurance coverage and SOT compliance |
Report issues | Notify Fora of any compliance concerns |
Disclosure requirements generally mean providing Fora's registration information to clients in certain states before accepting payment (see How Do Client Payments Work for how payments flow).
Independent registration
When some advisors register independently
Some advisors choose to register independently if:
Operating a substantially separate business entity
Wanting their own registration for business reasons
State requirements are specific to their situation
If you register independently
You are fully responsible for:
Responsibility | Details |
Registration | Filing and maintaining registration |
Trust accounts/bonds | Financial requirements where applicable |
Filings | Annual renewals and reports |
Disclosure compliance | Proper consumer disclosures |
State-specific rules | Each state's unique requirements |
If your business is based in CA, FL, or WA and you want independent registration, you must register under the appropriate SOT program for that state. Unless you have specific business reasons, operating under Fora's registration is simpler.
State-specific notes
California
Requires registration for businesses selling travel
Fora is registered
Specific disclosure requirements apply
Florida
Requires registration
Fora is registered
Bond/trust requirements handled by Fora
Washington
Requires registration
Fora is registered
Specific disclosure requirements apply
Other States
Many states don't require seller-of-travel registration. For those that do, Fora's registration typically covers advisors operating under Fora.
Common scenarios
If... | Then... |
You're a new Fora advisor | Operate under Fora's registration; follow disclosure procedures |
You live in California | Fora's CA registration covers you |
You want to register independently | You handle all compliance; consult Fora for guidance |
You're unsure about disclosure | Use the templates provided during onboarding |
A client asks about registration | Provide Fora's registration information |
FAQs
Do I need my own seller-of-travel registration?
Usually no. Most advisors operate under Fora's registration.
What states require registration?
California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada, and Washington are the main states with requirements. Requirements can change; Fora monitors and maintains compliance.
What if I live in a state without SOT requirements?
You still operate under Fora's compliance framework for clients in states that require it.
What are the disclosure requirements?
Fora provides templates. Generally, you must disclose registration information to clients in certain states before accepting payment.
Can I see Fora's registration numbers?
Yes. Registration information is provided during onboarding and available from support.