Arkansas · State Reference
Arkansas Auctioneer License Requirements
To become a licensed auctioneer in Arkansas, you must apply to the Arkansas Auctioneers Licensing Board, pass both a written and an oral examination, and pay the required fees. There are no specific education requirements.
Requirements Checklist
- Submit a completed license application to the Arkansas Auctioneers Licensing Board (ARALB), part of the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing
- No specific education requirement.
- Pass a criminal background check (state and FBI fingerprint check)
- Pass both a written and an oral examination for an unrestricted auctioneer license (a license authorizing in-person or online auctions)
- Pay required fees (see Costs below)
- Maintain an escrow account for auction proceeds (interest or non-interest bearing — your choice)
- Contribute to the Auctioneer Recovery Fund at initial licensure
- Renew annually by June 30, with 6 hours of continuing education
A Note on License Types
Arkansas issues more than one type of license, and the distinction matters:
Auctioneer license — allows the holder to accept consignments and personally call bids at auction.
Auction house license — allows the holder to accept consignments, but the license holder may not personally call bids; a licensed auctioneer must be hired to do the bid calling.
Step-by-Step Process
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Submit your application to the Arkansas Auctioneers Licensing Board, along with required fees, a background check request, and an FBI fingerprint card.
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Prepare for the exam. Since Arkansas doesn't mandate a specific education requirement, this step is where a structured course genuinely earns its value — you're preparing to pass a real exam, not just checking a box. Missouri Auction School's Arkansas Auctioneer License Exam Prep course is built for exactly this.
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Sit for the exam(s). Examinations are offered at least four times per year. Unrestricted auctioneer applicants take both a written and an oral exam; auction house and restricted applicants take the written exam only.
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Pass required exam.
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Application reviewed at the Board's next monthly meeting. If approved, your license issues immediately following that meeting.
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Set up your escrow account and contribute to the Auctioneer Recovery Fund to complete licensure.
Costs
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Examination fee | $100.00 |
| Initial license fee | $100.00 |
| Auctioneer Recovery Fund contribution (initial licensure) | $100.00 |
| Background check (ASP-122) | $22.00 |
| FBI fingerprint card | $16.50 |
Fees are set by the Arkansas Auctioneers Licensing Board and are subject to change. Confirm current fees at labor.arkansas.gov before applying.
License Renewal
Arkansas auctioneer licenses expire June 30 every year and must be renewed annually. There is a 120-day grace period for renewal if your renewal is postmarked by October 31 — the standard $100 renewal fee applies, along with proof of continuing education. After October 31, a late renewal penalty of $200 applies, and a license lapsed more than two months past the October 31 deadline is considered revoked for nonrenewal.
Continuing education: 6 hours annually. Licensees who are 55 or older and have held an Arkansas auctioneer license for 10 consecutive years are exempt from the continuing education requirement.
A Note on Real Estate Auctions
Arkansas requires both an auctioneer license and a real estate license to sell real estate at auction.
Reciprocity
Arkansas maintains reciprocal licensing agreements with the following fourteen states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Source: National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association
Sources
- Arkansas Dept. of Labor and Licensing — Arkansas Auctioneers Licensing Board FAQ: labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/arkansas-auctioneers-licensing-board/faqs
- Arkansas Auctioneers Licensing Board Rules (PDF): static.ark.org/eeuploads/auctioneer/Auctioneer_Rules_8-22.pdf
- Arkansas Auctioneers Licensing Board — Licensing & Exam Info: labor.arkansas.gov/licensing/arkansas-auctioneers-licensing-board/licensing-exam-info
- National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association — Reciprocity: nalloa.org/licensing-state-requirements/#arkansas
Ready to prepare for Arkansas's licensing exam? Missouri Auction School's Arkansas Auctioneer License Exam Prep course covers the written and oral exam content, delivered online from home.
See Course Dates & Enroll →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an auctioneer license in Arkansas?
Since exams are offered at least four times a year and applications are reviewed at the Board's monthly meetings, timing depends significantly on when you apply relative to the next scheduled exam date. Build in time for the background check and fingerprint processing as well.
Do I need to take an exam to become a licensed auctioneer in Arkansas?
Yes. Unrestricted auctioneer applicants must pass both a written and an oral exam. Restricted applicants must pass a written exam.
Do I need a bond to get licensed in Arkansas?
No. Instead of a traditional individual surety bond, new applicants and renewing licensees contribute to the Auctioneer Recovery Fund — a $100 fee at initial licensure, with additional assessments possible if the overall fund balance drops below statutory minimum thresholds.
Do I need an auctioneer license to sell real estate at auction in Arkansas?
Yes, and you'll need both an auctioneer license and a real estate license.
Does an Arkansas auctioneer license work in other states, or does another state's license work in Arkansas?
Arkansas has reciprocal agreements with fourteen states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. Source: National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association — Reciprocity.