North Carolina · State Reference
North Carolina Auctioneer
License Requirements
To become a licensed auctioneer in North Carolina, you must complete a Board approved auction school or complete a two year apprenticeship, pass the North Carolina Auctioneer Licensing Board's examination, and submit a complete, notarized application with required fees.
Requirements Checklist
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
- Submit a criminal history check (FBI/SBI) showing no disqualifying offenses, such as felonies or crimes involving fraud or moral turpitude within the past 5 years.
- Must not have had an auctioneer, apprentice auctioneer, or auction firm license previously revoked.
- Must not have, within the preceding five years, committed any act constituting grounds for license suspension or revocation.
- Must complete a Board approved auction school or complete a two-year apprenticeship.
- Must pass the Board's examination, covering auctioneer and auction law, ethical practices, relevant mathematics, and other Board relevant subjects.
Step by Step Process
- Choose your qualifying path. Complete a Board approved auction school course, such as Missouri Auction School's North Carolina course, or serve a two year North Carolina apprenticeship.
- Submit your notarized application, dated no more than 30 days before NCALB receives it, at least 10 days before a scheduled examination date, along with required documents and fees.
- Sit for the exam, offered six times a year in North Carolina. See current exam and deadline dates.
- Pass the exam. Your application then goes before the Board at its next regularly scheduled monthly meeting, once your FBI and SBI criminal history results have been received showing no disqualifying offenses.
- Receive your license upon Board approval.
Timeline and Cost
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Apprentice license fee | $100, plus $50 application fee |
| Regular license fee | $150 annual fee |
| Exam fee | $50.00 |
Fees are set by the North Carolina Auctioneer Licensing Board (NCALB) and are subject to change.
License Renewal and Continuing Education
North Carolina requires continuing education for auctioneers, apprentice auctioneers, and auction firm designated persons. Auctioneers and designated persons must complete 4 hours of continuing education each year, due by May 15. Active auctioneers who are 65 years of age or older and have been licensed continuously for five years are exempt from submitting continuing education. Source: North Carolina Auctioneer Licensing Board, Continuing Education page.
Sole Proprietors vs. Auction Firms
A licensed auctioneer who is the sole owner of an auction business is not required to obtain a separate auction firm license, but must personally supervise all auction sales, sign all contracts, and review all related paperwork personally. If a firm has a Designated Person who is not themselves a licensed North Carolina auctioneer, that firm needs a separate firm license, and the Designated Person must pass a firm examination. A Designated Person who is already an active North Carolina auctioneer is exempt from this additional exam.
Contract and Recordkeeping Requirements
Before conducting an auction in North Carolina, a licensee must have a written agreement with the property owner covering the terms and conditions under which the goods were received for sale. Licensees must keep at least one copy of this agreement for their own records for two years from the date of the agreement.
Reciprocity
North Carolina offers a reciprocal license, without further examination, to applicants who reside in and are currently licensed as an auctioneer in: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Special conditions apply specifically for Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Source: National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association.
Ready to become a North Carolina licensed auctioneer? Missouri Auction School's North Carolina course covers the auction school path in full.
View the North Carolina CourseSources
- North Carolina Auctioneer Licensing Board
- North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 85B, Auctioneers Law
- North Carolina Administrative Code, Title 21, Chapter 04, Subchapter B, Auctioneer Licensing Board Rules
- National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association, North Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an auctioneer license in North Carolina?
It depends heavily on your path. The auction school route is much faster than the two year apprenticeship option.
Do I need to take an exam to become a licensed auctioneer in North Carolina?
Yes.
Do I need a separate business license if I run my own auction business?
Not necessarily. A sole proprietor who is the licensed auctioneer and sole owner of the business does not need a separate auction firm license, but must personally supervise every sale and sign every contract themselves.
How often do I need to renew my North Carolina license, and are there continuing education requirements?
Annually, with 4 hours of continuing education required each year, due by May 15. Active auctioneers who are 65 years of age or older and have been licensed continuously for five years are exempt from submitting continuing education. Source: North Carolina Auctioneer Licensing Board, Continuing Education page.
Does an out of state auctioneer license work in North Carolina?
Potentially, if your home state is on the North Carolina Auctioneer Licensing Board's reciprocal list.