Requirements

• No state auctioneer license. Idaho has no board or commission that issues a general auctioneer license.
• Local permits may apply. Some municipalities or counties require their own permits, so it is worth checking with the specific city or county where the auction will be held.
• No apprenticeship, education hours, exam, or bond requirement exists at the state level, since there is no state auction licensing.
• Sales tax collection is mandatory. Idaho law requires auctioneers to collect and remit sales tax.

Special Category: Motor Vehicle and Vessel Auctions

Idaho exempts smaller scale vehicle auction activity from motor vehicle dealer licensing. Providing an auction service for fewer than five vehicles or vessels titled in the name of the entity offering them for auction during a calendar year is exempt, as is providing an auction service on behalf of an already licensed Idaho dealer. Auction activity above that threshold, or outside those categories, can trigger Idaho Transportation Department dealer licensing, which carries its own bonding, education, and facility requirements.