Obtaining a License

1. Auctioneer License

No person shall be licensed as an auctioneer if the person:

  • is under 18 years of age;
  • is not a high school graduate or the equivalent;
  • has within the preceding five years pleaded guilty to, entered a plea of nolo contendere or been convicted of any felony, or committed or been convicted of any act involving fraud or moral turpitude;
  • has had an auctioneer, apprentice auctioneer, or auction firm license revoked; or
  • has, within the preceding five years, committed any act that constitutes grounds for license suspension or revocation under N.C.G.S. 85B or 21 NCAC 4B.

An “Auctioneer” is defined as a person, not otherwise exempt from N.C.G.S. 85B, who conducts or offers to conduct auctions in the State of North Carolina. This is an individual who in addition to calling bids, contracts for auctions, accepts consignments of items for sale at auction, advertises an auction, offers items for sale at auction, accepts payment or disburse monies for items sold at auction, or otherwise, solicits, arranges, sponsors, or manages an auction or holds themselves out as an auctioneer. More…

a. In-State Auctioneer License

An “in-state auctioneer license” is issued to an individual who resides in the State of North Carolina. Auctioneer examinations are given six times a year at the Board’s office. To be eligible to sit for an examination, an individual must either have held a North Carolina apprentice auctioneer license for the preceding two years and accumulated sufficient knowledge and experience in the auctioneer profession or have successfully completed at least 80 hours of classroom instruction at a Board approved auctioneer school. To be scheduled for a North Carolina auctioneer examination, an individual must provide the Board’s office a completed application package. Upon successful completion of the auctioneer examination, the application is provided to the Board at the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting for consideration of licensure. Click the link to download an application package.

b. Out-of-State Auctioneer License

An “out-of-state auctioneer license” is issued to an individual who resides outside the State of North Carolina and who is not eligible to receive a reciprocal auctioneer license. Auctioneer examinations are given six times a year at the Board’s office. To be eligible to sit for an examination, an individual must either have held a North Carolina apprentice auctioneer license for the preceding two years and accumulated sufficient knowledge and experience in the auctioneer profession or have successfully completed at least 80 hours of classroom instruction at a Board approved auctioneer school. To be scheduled for a State auctioneer examination, an individual must provide the Board’s office a completed application package. Upon successful completion of the auctioneer examination, the application is provided to the Board at the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting for consideration of licensure. Click the link to download an application package.

c. Reciprocal Auctioneer License

Any person who resides in another state that the North Carolina Auctioneer Licensing Board reciprocates with and holds a valid auctioneer license in that state may apply for and be issued a North Carolina reciprocal auctioneer license without the person having to take the auctioneer examination. Click the link to download an application package.

2. Apprentice Auctioneer License

No person shall be licensed as an apprentice auctioneer if the person:

  • is under 18 years of age;
  • is not a high school graduate or the equivalent;
  • has within the preceding five years pleaded guilty to, entered a plea of nolo contendere or been convicted of any felony, or committed or been convicted of any act involving fraud or moral turpitude;
  • has had an auctioneer, apprentice auctioneer, or auction firm license revoked; or
  • has, within the preceding five years, committed any act that constitutes grounds for license suspension or revocation under N.C.G.S. 85B or 21 NCAC 4B.

An “Apprentice Auctioneer” is defined as a person, not otherwise exempt from N.C.G.S. 85B, who conducts or offers to conduct auctions in the State of North Carolina, much like an auctioneer except that the Apprentice Auctioneer is guided by stricter standards. This is an individual who is supervised by a sponsor auctioneer and who in addition to calling bids, contracts for auctions, accepts consignments of items for sale at auction, advertises an auction, offers items for sale at auction, accepts payment or disburse monies for items sold at auction, or otherwise, solicits, arranges, sponsors, or manages an auction or holds themselves out as an apprentice auctioneer. More…

a. In-State Apprentice Auctioneer License

An “In-State Apprentice Auctioneer License” is issued to an individual who resides in the State of North Carolina. Click the link to download an application package.

b. Out-of-State Apprentice Auctioneer License

An “Out-of-State apprentice auctioneer license” is issued to an individual who resides outside the State of North Carolina. Click the link to download an application package.

3. Auction Firm License

No person shall receive an auction firm license if the person:

  • is under 18 years of age;
  • is not a high school graduate or the equivalent;
  • has within the preceding five years pleaded guilty to, entered a plea of nolo contendere or been convicted of any felony, or committed or been convicted of any act involving fraud or moral turpitude;
  • has had an auctioneer, apprentice auctioneer, or auction firm license revoked; or
  • has, within the preceding five years, committed any act that constitutes grounds for license suspension or revocation under N.C.G.S. 85B or 21 NCAC 4B.

An “Auction Firm” is defined as a sole proprietorship of which the owner is not a licensed auctioneer, or any partnership, association, or corporation, not otherwise exempt from N.C.G.S. 85B, that sells either directly or through agents, real or personal property at auction, or that arranges, sponsors, manages, conducts or advertises auctions, or that in the regular course of business uses or allows the use of its facilities for auctions. This applies whether or not the owner or officer of the business acts as an auctioneer. More…

a. In-State Auction Firm License

An “in-state auction firm license” is issued to an individual who resides in North Carolina or partnerships, associations, or corporations who maintain their primary business in the State of North Carolina. Click the link to download an application package.

b. Out-of-State Auction Firm License

An “Out-of-State Auction Firm License” is issued to an individual who resides outside of North Carolina or partnerships, associations, or corporations who maintain their primary business outside the State of North Carolina. Click the link to download an application package.