Auctioneer License Requirements, State by State

"Do I need an auctioneer's license?" is the first question every aspiring auctioneer asks, and the answer is a genuine it-depends: about half the states license auctioneers, several treat online auctions differently from live ones, and the rules have been moving in both directions — some states deregulated while others extended licensing to online sales. Find your state below for the current answer, the costs, and where to apply.

Not legal advice. Researched from state statutes and licensing boards, current as of mid-2026. Always confirm with the licensing authority before your first sale.

State License Required

A state board or agency licenses auctioneers — applications, and often exams, bonds, and contract rules.

• AlabamaAlabama requires a state license from the Alabama State Board of Auctioneers — and since January 2025 that explicitly includes online auction companies.
• ArkansasArkansas requires a state auctioneer license, and since Act 677 of 2023 that expressly includes online auctions and estate sales.
• FloridaFlorida requires a state license for both auctioneers and auction businesses through the Board of Auctioneers at the DBPR.
• GeorgiaGeorgia requires a state auctioneer license from the Georgia Auctioneers Commission, and auction companies register with the Commission as well.
• IllinoisIllinois requires a state auctioneer license from IDFPR under the Auction License Act, which runs through at least 2030 and expands to estate sale services in 2026.
• IndianaIndiana requires a state license for auctioneers and auction companies through the Indiana Auctioneer Commission.
• KentuckyKentucky requires a state license — auctioneers, apprentice auctioneers, and auction house operators are all licensed by the Kentucky Board of Auctioneers.
• LouisianaLouisiana requires a state license for auctioneers and auction businesses through the Louisiana Auctioneers Licensing Board.
• MaineMaine requires a state auctioneer license — but there is an express exemption for goods taken in exclusively for internet sale.
• MassachusettsMassachusetts requires a state auctioneer license from the Division of Standards, with an exam, an auction-school diploma, and a $10,000 bond.
• MississippiMississippi requires a state auctioneer license, and online auctions have expressly required one since July 1, 2019.
• New HampshireNew Hampshire licenses traditional auctioneers, but internet auctions are wholly exempt by express statute — an online-only operation needs no license at all.
• North CarolinaNorth Carolina requires a state license — apprentice auctioneers, auctioneers, and auction firms are all licensed by the North Carolina Auctioneers Commission.
• OhioOhio requires a state license from the Department of Agriculture for auctioneers and auction firms, and since 2022 that expressly includes online auctions.
• PennsylvaniaPennsylvania requires a state license — auctioneers, apprentices, auction companies, and trading assistants all register with the State Board of Auctioneer Examiners, and online auctions are expressly covered.
• South CarolinaSouth Carolina requires a state license — auctioneers, apprentices, and auction firms are licensed by the South Carolina Auctioneers' Commission.
• TennesseeTennessee requires a state auctioneer license — and since 2019 that includes extended-time (soft-close) online auctions, while fixed-time listings remain exempt.
• TexasTexas licenses auctioneers through TDLR — but only for auctions with a live-bid component, because internet auctions are expressly exempt.
• VermontVermont requires a state auctioneer license through the Office of Professional Regulation — a 40-hour course or apprenticeship, with no exam.
• VirginiaVirginia requires a state auctioneer license from the Virginia Auctioneers Board at DPOR, with a minimum $10,000 bond.
• West VirginiaWest Virginia requires a state auctioneer license from the Commissioner of Agriculture — with an express exemption for fixed-time online listings, but not soft-close auctions.

State Registration

Lighter-touch state registration rather than a full license.

• North DakotaNorth Dakota replaced auctioneer licensing with a simple Secretary of State registration in 2024 — and online-only auctions are expressly outside the requirement entirely.
• WashingtonWashington requires state registration for both auctioneers and auction companies through the Department of Licensing.
• WisconsinWisconsin requires state registration as an auctioneer through DSPS and the Auctioneer Board — the requirement is current law, in force through recent legislation.

County-Level License

Licenses issued by county officials rather than a state board.

• HawaiiHawaii licenses auctioneers at the county level under a state statute — you apply with your county, which may modify the rules by ordinance.
• MinnesotaMinnesota licenses auctioneers at the county level — a simple annual license from your county auditor plus a small surety bond.
• MissouriMissouri licenses auctioneers at the county level — you get the license from your county collector and it is valid statewide.

Local / Municipal Rules Only

No state license — but cities or towns may require permits or bonds.

• ArizonaArizona has no state auctioneer license — licensing, where it exists, happens at the city level, and you will need Arizona TPT (sales tax) registration.
• ColoradoColorado has no state auctioneer license — a few municipalities license auctioneers locally, and auctioning real estate requires a real-estate broker license.
• ConnecticutConnecticut licenses auctioneers at the town level — there is no state board, and your town hall is where you apply.
• MarylandMaryland has no state auctioneer license — licensing happens at the county and city level, so your obligations depend on where you operate.
• MichiganMichigan has no state auctioneer license — an old statute has auctioneers file a $2,500 bond with the county, and townships regulate auctions of new goods.
• NebraskaNebraska has no state auctioneer license — regulation is local, and auctioning real estate requires a real-estate license.
• NevadaNevada has no state auctioneer license — but cities and counties do license, and Las Vegas requires a license plus a $10,000 bond.
• New JerseyNew Jersey has no state auctioneer license — municipalities license auctioneers under their general licensing powers.
• New YorkNew York has no statewide auctioneer license, and even New York City repealed its auctioneer licensing in 2022 — only conduct and record-keeping rules remain at the state level.
• OklahomaOklahoma has no statewide auctioneer license — regulation is local, with separate regimes only for livestock markets and real estate.
• UtahUtah has no state auctioneer license — cities license locally (Salt Lake City requires a license and bond), and real-estate auctions need a principal broker.
• WyomingWyoming has no state auctioneer license — regulation, where it exists, is municipal, as in Cheyenne.

No Auctioneer License

No state auctioneer license exists (general business rules still apply).

• AlaskaAlaska has no auctioneer license — you only need the general Alaska business license that every business holds.
• CaliforniaCalifornia has no auctioneer license — it was repealed in 1993 — but auctioneers must file a $20,000 bond with the Secretary of State and follow a detailed written-contract statute.
• DelawareDelaware has no professional auctioneer license — you register for an occupational business license with the Division of Revenue, which is a tax matter, not a competency test.
• IdahoIdaho has no auctioneer license at any state level — at most, a local permit may apply depending on your city.
• IowaIowa has no state auctioneer license — at most, a municipal or county permit may apply where you operate.
• KansasKansas has no state auctioneer license — regulation, where it exists at all, is local.
• MontanaMontana has no auctioneer license — but state law requires a $5,000 bond filed with the county clerk before you auction.
• New MexicoNew Mexico has no auctioneer license — only livestock auction markets are separately licensed, and local permits are possible.
• OregonOregon has no auctioneer license — but statutory conduct rules still apply, including a hard 21-day deadline to pay consignors.
• Rhode IslandRhode Island fully deregulated auctioneers in 2015 — there is no license, no bond, and no state auction statute left.
• South DakotaSouth Dakota has no general auctioneer license — you need a sales-tax license to call or clerk auctions, and real-estate auctions need a restricted broker license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a license to be an auctioneer?

It depends entirely on your state. Roughly half the states license auctioneers at the state level; a handful license at the county or city level; and the rest have no auctioneer license at all. Several states also treat online-only auctions differently from live ones.

Do online auctions need an auctioneer license?

The trend cuts both ways. New Hampshire, North Dakota, Texas, and Maine expressly exempt online-only sales; Tennessee and West Virginia exempt fixed-time listings but license soft-close auctions; and states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi have explicitly extended licensing to online auctions in recent years. Check your state’s page.

What do licensing states usually require?

Commonly: an application and fee, sometimes an exam or auction-school course, a surety bond or recovery-fund contribution, a written contract with every consignor, a trust or escrow account for auction proceeds, and a deadline for paying consignors.

License Sorted? Build the Business

Whatever your state requires, the path from licensed (or exempt) to profitable is the same: platform, consignments, catalog, settle. Start with how to start an online auction business or jump straight to the Auction Business Starter package.