Licensing State Requirements

Alabama – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Keith Warren – Executive Director
Hope Childers – Administrator

Phone: 334.420.7235 

Alabama State Board of Auctioneers
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Auctioneer License Required: Yes
Apprentice License Required:  Yes
Pre-Licensing Education Required: Yes, if apprentice serves only one year apprenticeship, and no if the apprentice serves a two-year apprenticeship
Written Examination Required: Yes (no exam is required if license is being obtained through reciprocity however there are time limits on licensure for some states)
Examinations Offered: Monthly
State Provided Study Guide: Yes (AAA Study Guide)
Continuing Education Requirement: Yes, 6 hours every odd numbered year. Licensees 65 years and older are exempt.
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: Yes, the board no longer has a residency requirement.
Licenses Expire: September 30th annually
Reciprocal License: Approximate to issue license once application is complete is 2 to 3 weeks
Auction Firm License Required: Yes
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: Yes
Reciprocal Agreements With: AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN. TX, VA, WV
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Contact the Alabama Department of Revenue Sales, Business Tax Division at 334.242.1490
Bond or Recovery Fund: Bond $10,000
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: Yes
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at an online auction: Yes
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: Yes
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: Please reach out to the Alabama Real Estate Commission.
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: Not for us, but you may wish to verify with the Alabama Real Estate Commission.

Florida – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Stacy Buccieri

Phone: 334.420.7235 

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Auctioneer License Required: Yes
Apprentice License Required:  No, if classroom instruction has been completed by the licensee.
Pre-Licensing Education Required: Yes, 80 hours of instruction from an approved auction school.
Written Examination Required: Yes, for initial license unless qualified for reciprocity or endorsement
Examinations Offered: Daily
State Provided Study Guide: Yes (Candidate Information Booklet)
Continuing Education Requirement: No
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: Yes
Licenses Expire: November 30th of odd numbered years
Reciprocal License: Approximate to issue license once application is complete is 4 weeks
Auction Firm License Required: Yes
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: No
Reciprocal Agreements With: AL, AR, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MS, NH, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Contact Florida Department of Revenue
Bond or Recovery Fund: Recovery fund
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: No. Only a broker’s license is required. A licensed broker is defined in Section 475.00(1)(a). Florida Statutes do not require an auctioneer license to sell real estate at auction.
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at an online auction: No. A licensed auctioneer cannot auction real property without a real estate broker’s license. A licensed real estate broker may auction real estate without an auctioneer’s license
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: No. A licensed auctioneer cannot auction real property without a real estate broker’s license. A licensed real estate broker may auction real estate without an auctioneer’s license
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: Contact the Florida Real Estate Commission
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: Contact the Florida Real Estate Commission

Illinois – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Susan Sigourney

Phone: 217.785.9640 

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Auctioneer License Required: Yes
Apprentice License Required:  N/A
Pre-Licensing Education Required: No
Written Examination Required: Yes. No exam is required if a license is being obtained through reciprocity. Our testing vendor is PSI – Exam information
Examinations Offered: Weekly, Monday through Friday
State Provided Study Guide: No, but there is an Exam Candidate Handbook from our testing vendor.
Continuing Education Requirement: 12 hours of CE is required every two years, prior to the renewal. The auctioneer is exempt from CE if it is their first renewal. One hour of sexual Harassment Prevention Training is required for all of the licensees licensed under the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which includes auctioneers.
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: Yes, but you must be licensed in a state with which Illinois has a reciprocal agreement. However, you do not need to reside in that state.
Licenses Expire: Every two years on December 31 in the even numbered years.
Reciprocal License: Approximate to issue license once application is complete is 4 – 6 weeks
Auction Firm License Required: Yes, for Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and Partnerships
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: Illinois no longer requires the registration of Internet Auction Listing Services; however, if an online auction falls under the definition of “auction” from the Illinois Auction License Act, Section 5-10, then a license is required: “Auction” means the sale or lease of property, real or personal, by means of exchanges between an auctioneer and prospective purchasers or lessees, which consists of a series of invitations for offers made by the auctioneer and offers by prospective purchasers or lessees for the purpose of obtaining an acceptable offer for the sale or lease of the property, including the sale or lease of property via mail, telecommunications, or the internet.
Reciprocal Agreements With: AL, AR, FL, IN, MA, MS, OH, TN, TX, WI
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Contact Illinois Department of Revenue.
Bond or Recovery Fund: Illinois does not require a bond or recovery fund.
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: See explanation below.
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: To sell “real” property in Illinois, you must have an IL real estate license (there are auctioneers who were grandfathered when the law passed, therefore they can auction “real” property at auction without a real estate license. Their auction license numbers begin with “440”. This grandfather opportunity was over 6-30-2000. No one can obtain a license with”440” now. An auctioneer will be able to obtain a real estate auction certification by successfully completing a 30-hour course. The auctioneer’s role will be limited to establishing the time, place, and method of the real estate auction, placing advertisements regarding the auction, crying, or calling the auction- This is not available at this time.
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at an online auction: A real estate license is required to sell “real estate” at an online auction. An auctioneer license is only for auctioning personal property. The one exception is – the auctioneer has an auction license that has a prefix of 440, which indicates the auctioneer obtained their license in 2000 when the IL Auction License Law first went into effect, and they had been auctioning real property prior to the Auction License Act and therefore are exempt from the Real Estate License Act. (There are 237 auctioneers currently that are exempt from the Real Estate License Act).

An auctioneer may be able to obtain a real estate auction certification by successfully completing a 30-hour real estate course in the future. The auctioneer’s role will be limited to establishing the time, place, and method of the real estate auction, placing advertisements regarding the auction, crying, or calling the auction- This is not available at this time.
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: A real estate license is required for auctioning real property.
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: During a personal property auction, ringmen or bid assistants are not required to have an auction license. A ringman or bid assistant is not listed as one of the Unlicensed Assistants in the Real Estate License Act, Administrative Rules.

Kentucky – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Scott Pieratt

Phone: 502.782.0722

Kentucky Board of Auctioneers

Auctioneer License Required: Yes
Apprentice License Required:  Yes, a 1 year/10 auction apprenticeship is required
Pre-Licensing Education Required: Yes, 12 hours for apprentice and Auction House Operator’s and 80 hours for Principal
Written Examination Required: Yes.  No exam is required if a license is being obtained through reciprocity.
Examinations Offered: Weekly and monthly through the Kentucky Community and Technical Colleges throughout the state.
State Provided Study Guide: Available from the education providers
Continuing Education Requirement: All licensees, except those licensed before 01/01/1980, must take 6 hours. Core every four years. After 25 years of continuous licensure, the Core is no longer required, but CE is still required.
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: Yes
Licenses Expire: June 30th of each year
Reciprocal License: Approximate to issue license once application is complete is less than 10 days
Auction Firm License Required: No, we only license individual auctioneers.
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: Yes
Reciprocal Agreements With: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, LA, MA, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV, WI
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Yes to all personal property including estates.
Bond or Recovery Fund: Recovery fund
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: Both licenses are required; however, there is no requirement that they be held by the same person. Auctioneers may work with a broker. See KRS 330.032
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at an online auction: Must have a real estate license or realtor partner.
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: Must have a real estate license or realtor partner.
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: Yes
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: Contact the Kentucky Real Estate Commission

Maine – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Shara Chesley

Phone: 207.624.8521

State of Maine Board of Licensing Auctioneers
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Auctioneer License Required: Yes
Apprentice License Required:  No
Pre-Licensing Education Required: No
Written Examination Required: Yes
Examinations Offered: At least 4 times per year
State Provided Study Guide: Study material is available on the website.
Continuing Education Requirement: No
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: N/A
Licenses Expire: March 31st of each year
Reciprocal License: N/A
Auction Firm License Required: No
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: See exemptions to Licensing #8 Contracted Internet services
Reciprocal Agreements With: N/A
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Contact Board office for information on this.
Bond or Recovery Fund: $10,000 bond
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required:If an auctioneer engages in real estate brokerage, the auctioneer must be licensed under Chapter 114 as a real estate licensee, except that a real estate license is not required if the auctioneer is hired to call bids on real estate being sold at an auction and the auctioneer does not prepare contracts or otherwise control the actual sale or take custody of any part of the purchase price
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: If an auctioneer engages in real estate brokerage, the auctioneer must be licensed under Chapter 114 as a real estate licensee, except that a real estate license is not required if the auctioneer is hired to call bids on real estate being sold at an auction and the auctioneer does not prepare contracts or otherwise control the actual sale or take custody of any part of the purchase price
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: If an auctioneer engages in real estate brokerage, the auctioneer must be licensed under Chapter 114 as a real estate licensee, except that a real estate license is not required if the auctioneer is hired to call bids on real estate being sold at an auction and the auctioneer does not prepare contracts or otherwise control the actual sale or take custody of any part of the purchase price
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: This is not addressed in the Auctioneer law & Rules.
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: Information found in Title 32: Professions and Occupations; Chapter 5-B: Auctioneers

Mississippi – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Yvonne Laird

Phone: 601.750.4909

Mississippi Auctioneer Commission
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Auctioneer License Required: Yes
Apprentice License Required:  No
Pre-Licensing Education Required: Yes, graduation from an approved auctioneer school
Written Examination Required: Yes. No exam is required if license is being obtained through reciprocity
Examinations Offered: Upon receipt of an examination application
State Provided Study Guide: Yes
Continuing Education Requirement: No
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: No
Licenses Expire: March 1 of every odd year.
Reciprocal License: Approximate to issue license once application is complete is 45 days or the next scheduled Commission meeting.
Auction Firm License Required: If you own the auction company and/or serve as a principal officer AND serve as the only auctioneer on behalf of the business, then and only then are you exempt from having a firm license (in-state or out-of-state). Therefore, if you hire additional auctioneers to provide auction services on behalf of THE company, you are required to have a firm license.
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: Yes
Reciprocal Agreements With: AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MA, NC, NH, OH, SC, TN, TX, VA
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Yes under normal circumstances. Sales tax issues are referred to the Mississippi Department of Revenue.
Bond or Recovery Fund: $10,000 bond
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: Yes
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a online auction: Yes
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: Yes
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: Not required by the auctioneer commission
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: Not required by the auctioneer commission

North Carolina – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Charles Diehl

Phone: 919.567.2844

North Carolina Auctioneer Licensing Board
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Auctioneer License Required: Yes
Apprentice License Required:  Only if person does not go to auction school.
Pre-Licensing Education Required: Only if person does not serve a 2-year apprenticeship
Written Examination Required: Yes. No exam is required if license is being obtained through reciprocity
Examinations Offered: Six (6) times annually.
State Provided Study Guide: Study information for examinations is available at www.ncalb.org, and auctioneer applicants are provided sample examination questions in advance.
Continuing Education Requirement: Yes, 4 hours per year
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: No
Licenses Expire: June 30th of each year
Reciprocal License: Approximate to issue license once application is complete is one month, dependent upon when the application is received. Deadline dates apply, as all applications must go before the board for approval.
Auction Firm License Required: Individual licensed auctioneers may choose to operate as a sole proprietor auction business. Any partnership, corporation, or LLC is a separate legal entity, and is required to hold an Auction Firm license if it is engaged in auction activity.
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: Yes
Reciprocal Agreements With: AL, AR, FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MA, MS, NH, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI – Special conditions apply for FL, LA, MA, NH, TX and WI (see below for these conditions)
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Yes
Bond or Recovery Fund: $50 Recovery Fund payment is assessed for each new licensee. Additional assessments applying to all licensees are made only if/whenever determined by the board to be necessary.
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: Yes
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a online auction: A North Carolina Auctioneer or Auction Firm license is needed to sell real or personal property located in North Carolina via an online auction, and the licensed auctioneer and/or auction firm must have an auction contract directly with the owner of the property.
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: Whoever is performing bid calling services in any live auction of real or personal property located in North Carolina is required to hold a valid North Carolina Auctioneer license, whether that live auction is in-person only, conducted over the internet, simulcast, etc. Timed online auctions that do not involve bid calling may be conducted by holders of valid North Carolina Auctioneer and/or Auction Firm licenses.
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: No, if that person is performing bid calling services only, and is not a party to the auction contract with owner of the property.
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: Not for NC auction law purposes, but anyone engaged in selling real estate by any method should ensure that the actions of all of their participants are performed in compliance with the laws and rules administered by the NC Real Estate Commission.

North Carolina – Special Conditions Applied to Reciprocal Agreements with FL, LA, MA, NH, TX and WI

Florida – Reciprocal applicants must be licensed as an auctioneer in good standing in FL and must reside in FL.  If licensed as a FL auctioneer by apprenticeship, they must be licensed as a FL auctioneer for at least one year in good standing and must reside in FL.

Louisiana – Reciprocal applicants from LA who received their license by attending as auction school must be licensed as an auctioneer in good standing in LA and must reside in LA. Reciprocal applicants from LA who received their auctioneer license by completing an apprenticeship must have been licensed for the previous one year as an auctioneer in good standing in LA and must reside in LA.

Massachusetts – Reciprocal applicants who received their auctioneer license by attending a non-accredited auction school must be licensed for the previous two years as an auctioneer in good standing in MA and must reside in MA and must successfully complete the NC auctioneer examination. Reciprocal applicants from MA who received their auctioneer license by being granted the grandfather provision in 1986 must be licensed for the previous two years as an auctioneer in good standing in MA and must reside in MA and must successfully complete the NC auctioneer examination.  Reciprocal applicants from MA who received their auctioneer license by attending an accredited auction school must be licensed as an auctioneer in good standing in MA and must reside in MA and must successfully complete the NC auctioneer examination.

New Hampshire – Reciprocal applicants from NH who received their license by attending an approved auction school must be licensed as an auctioneer in good standing in NH and must reside in NH. Reciprocal applicants who received their license by serving a six-month apprenticeship must be licensed for a previous one- and one-half years as an auctioneer in good standing in NH and must reside in NH.

Texas – Reciprocal applicants from TX must have been licensed for the previous two years as an auctioneer in good standing in TX and must reside in TX.

Wisconsin – Reciprocal applicants from WI must have been licensed for the previous two years as an auctioneer in good standing in WI and must reside in WI.

Pennsylvania – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Terrie Kocher, Board Administrator

Phone: 833.36732762

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State Board of Auctioneer Examiners
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Auctioneer License Required: Yes
Apprentice License Required:  Please refer to Section 3(a)(1) of the Auctioneer Licensing and Trading Assistant Registration Act and 49 Pa. Code § 1.21
Pre-Licensing Education Required: Please refer to Section3(e) of the Auctioneer Licensing and Trading Assistant Registration Act
Written Examination Required: Please refer to refer to Section 3(e) of the Auctioneer Licensing and Trading Assistant Act and 49 Pa. Code §1.23
Examinations Offered: Daily
State Provided Study Guide: No. A Candidate Information Bulletin is provided on the contracted testing company website
Continuing Education Requirement: No
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: Please refer to Section 12(a)(1)(2)(3) of the Auctioneer Licensing and Trading Assistant Registration Act
Licenses Expire: February 28th of odd numbered years
Reciprocal License: Approximate to issue license once application is complete is 3 – 4 weeks
Auction Firm License Required: Please refer to Section 3.(e.1)(1) and Section 5.(b.1) of the Auctioneer Licensing and Trading Assistant Act
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: Pursuant to the Auctioneer Licensing and Trading Assistant Registration Act, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not distinguish between online auctions and in-person auctions
Reciprocal Agreements With: Please refer to Section 12(a)(1)(2)(3) of the Auctioneer and Trading Assistant Registration Act
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Yes
Bond or Recovery Fund: Bond, $5,000
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: No. Generally, auctioneers are permitted to sell real estate at bona fide auctions without a real estate license but see Younkin v BPOA  774 A.2d 1281 (Pa Cmwlth 2001)
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a online auction: Auctioneer Licensing and Trading Assistant Registration Act, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not distinguish between online auctions and in-person auctions
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: Auctioneer Licensing and Trading Assistant Registration Act, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania does not distinguish between online auctions and in-person auctions
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: Generally, an auctioneer does not need a real estate license to sell real property at auction, but see Younkin v BPOA 774 A.2d 1281 (Pa Cmwlth 2001).
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: Generally, no. The employing unlicensed ringmen or bid assistants do not need a license, however, See Section 3(a)(3) of the Auctioneer and Trading Assistant Registration Act

South Dakota – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Melissa Miller

Phone: 605.773.3600

South Dakota Real Estate Commission
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Auctioneer License Required: No. You can do auctions with your Broker/Broker Associate license
Apprentice License Required:  No.
Pre-Licensing Education Required: Yes.
Written Examination Required: Yes.
Examinations Offered: By appointment.
State Provided Study Guide: Yes.
Continuing Education Requirement: Yes. 24 hours every two years.
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: No.
Licenses Expire: Every two years on December 31st
Approximate length of time from receipt of application and fully completed forms until issuance of non-resident license: Usually within two weeks of receipt. Nonresident brokers, broker associates and salespersons acting as auctioneers must complete the South Dakota specific portion of the licensing exam for those categories of licensure. Nonresident licensed auctioneers must complete pre-licensing courses and pass the auctioneer licensing exam. In addition, South Dakota no longer offers true reciprocity for brokers, broker associates and salespersons because they now have to complete the South Dakota specific portion of the licensing exam and also must submit to a criminal background check.
Auction Firm License Required: If the firm structure is other than a sole proprietorship, then it needs to be issued a firm license
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: Yes.
Reciprocal Agreements With: None.
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Contact the South Dakota Department of Revenue
Bond or Recovery Fund: Recovery fund. No fee accessed to licensee.
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: South Dakota requires only one or the other.
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a online auction:Yes, or Broker/Broker Associate License
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: Yes, or Broker/Broker Associate License
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: Yes.
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: Yes.

Texas – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Michael Strawn

Phone: 800.803.9202

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
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Auctioneer License Required: Yes.
Apprentice License Required:  Yes. Effective 09-01-2015, via House Bill 2481, the Associate Auctioneer program is back at TDLR, It is virtually the same as it was pre-2013, when it was taken out during the legislative session.
Pre-Licensing Education Required: Yes.
Written Examination Required: Yes. No exam is required if license is being obtained through reciprocity.
Examinations Offered: Daily.
State Provided Study Guide: No.
Continuing Education Requirement: Six (6) hours.
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: No.
Licenses Expire: Annually.
Reciprocal License: Approximate to issue license once application is complete is 7 – 15 days.
Auction Firm License Required: No.
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: No.
Reciprocal Agreements With: AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, LA, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, VA, WV, WI
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Yes.
Bond or Recovery Fund: Recovery fund.
What is the amount of the bond or recovery fund payment: The recovery fund is spread across each applicant’s renewal fee based on amount needed to recover the fund.
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: No real estate license is required to “auction” the property, but to “sell” it (filling out forms, etc.) a real estate license is required.
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a online auction: Yes, if live bid.
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: Yes. A real estate license is not required for a person who calls an auction of real property, provided the person is licensed as an auctioneer by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. [TRELA §1101.005(4)] However, it is clear from the statute that an auctioneer may not perform any act of a broker or sales agent, such as the preparation of a written agreement for the transaction.
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: An auctioneer may not perform any act of a broker or sales agent, such as the preparation of a written agreement for the transaction.
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: We have nothing in statute or rule regarding this so the answer would be a no as best we can ascertain.

Virginia – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Kate Nosbisch, Ecila Williams

Phone: 804.367.8506

Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation
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Auctioneer License Required: Yes.
Apprentice License Required:  No.
Pre-Licensing Education Required: Yes.
Written Examination Required: Yes. No exam is required if license is being obtained through reciprocity.
Examinations Offered: Daily.
State Provided Study Guide: See candidate information bulletin on Board’s website.
Continuing Education Requirement: Six (6) hours.
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: Yes.
Licenses Expire: 24 months from the last day of the month in which the license was issued.
Reciprocal License: Approximate to issue license once application is complete is 2 weeks (if all paperwork is in order).
Auction Firm License Required: Yes.
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: No.
Reciprocal Agreements With: FL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MS, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, WV, and AL pending
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: Auctioneers, agents or factors selling tangible personal property must collect and pay the sales tax on the gross sales price of each taxable sale, regardless of the fact that title to the property being sold may rest with another person.
Bond or Recovery Fund: Bond, $10,000
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: No, as long as the licensed auctioneer complies with the provisions of Subsection A 8 of Section 54.1-2103 of the Code of Virginia
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a online auction: A license is not required for an online action as the Virginia Board does not regulate online auctions.
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: Yes, an auctioneer license is needed to sell real estate at a live auction
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: Not listed in the code of VA. or Regulations.
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: No.

West Virginia – NALLOA Member

Contact Person:
Jennifer Zagata

Phone: 304.558.3200

West Virginia Department of Agriculture, Executive Forms
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Auctioneer License Required: Yes.
Apprentice License Required:  Yes.
Pre-Licensing Education Required: If an apprentice attends an “approved” auction school the apprentice is required to serve a six-month apprenticeship. If the apprentice does not attend an “approved” auction school a two-year apprenticeship is required.
Written Examination Required: Yes, for both the apprentice and auctioneer license (No exam is required if license is being obtained through reciprocity, unless the reciprocal license has lapsed for 2 years or more. A license is only attainable once through reciprocity §61-11B-11 11.3)
Examinations Offered: Twice annually.
State Provided Study Guide: The West Virginia Auctioneer Rules and Regulations Handbook, as well as an exam review the day before examinations.
Continuing Education Requirement: Yes, 6 hours for auctioneers and 3 hours for apprentice auctioneers
Third Party Reciprocity Allowed: No.
Licenses Expire: June 30, annually
Reciprocal License: Approximate to issue license once application is complete is 7 – 10 business days.
Auction Firm License Required: Yes.
Authority to Regulate Internet/Online Auctions: Yes.
Reciprocal Agreements With: AL, FL, GA, IN, KY, NC, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA
Does State Sales Tax Apply to Auctions in the State: contact West Virginia State Tax Department.
Bond or Recovery Fund: Auctioneers must have a $25,000 bond, and Apprentices must have a $5,000 bond.
Real Estate Sales at Auction; Is Real Estate License Required: Yes, see WV Code 19-2C-1 for exceptions and §30-40-5
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a online auction: Yes.
Is an auctioneer license needed to sell real estate at a live auction: Yes.
Does the State require that the auctioneer sign the listing agreement for real estate sales: Real estate questions should go to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission.
Is a real estate license required for ringmen or bid assistants during a real estate auction: Real estate questions should go to the West Virginia Real Estate Commission.