ARC will conduct a background check on all agency's owner, officer, and designated manager.
The entire application kit must be completed prior to submission, including all supporting materials.
Applicants must pay a non-refundable application fee, which includes the annual fee for the calendar year they are approved.
Upon receipt of an application, ARC reviews it for completeness and compliance with Agency Reporting Agreement (ARA) requirements, typically within 10 business days. An ARC representative may contact an applicant for additional information. An application receipt notification is sent to all airlines for review.
ARC will conduct a background check on all agency's owner, officer, and designated manager.
ARC will conduct an interview with agency owners and relevant personnel once the application is complete.
For new ARC Accredited Agencies, as well as Type 2 and Type 5 Ownership Changes, an on-site inspection may be required to verify information submitted with the application and to verify that the agency is operating according to the required conditions and guidelines in accordance with ARC's Agent Reporting Agreement and Industry Agent's Handbook.
Once approval is granted, ARC's participating airlines are notified via the notification process. Anyone that subscribes to the notification will get it via email. Some airlines may subject agents to a secondary accreditation process commonly known as Specific Appointment.
Applicants undergo ARC's comprehensive approval process. Some requirements of ARC Accredited Agency participation include the following:
The agency must be located in and authorized to do business in the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico or American Samoa.
The applicant must provide a bond, letter of credit or cash deposit in the initial minimum amount of $20,000. If the parent entity of the Agent is domiciled outside the United States, the minimum Financial Instrument shall not be less than $150,000
The applicant personnel must meet the standards noted in Part II-8 of the ARA, including the following:
One person must be designated as the Manager. The designated manager is a full-time employee of the agency. Additionally, the designated manager exercises daily supervision of and responsibility for the operations of that agency location and has the authority to make management decisions.
One person has completed and passed the ARC Specialist exam and will represent the agency as the ARC Specialist.
Note: The Manager and the ARC Specialist may be the same person.
The agency must meet the ticketing security standards of Section B of the IAH if they will maintain paper stock.