Five Ways to Qualify

You can qualify through any one of five distinct paths, then pass the same exam regardless of which path you take.

• Apprenticeship path:serve as a licensed apprentice auctioneer for at least two years under a qualified sponsor, and participate for compensation in at least 30 auctions, with documentation of the type, consignor, location, and date of each.
• Group A Auction School path:complete a prescribed 20 credit hour course of study, including 2 credit hours of practicum or cooperative practical experience, at a Board approved Group A Auction School.
• Group B Auction School path:complete a shorter course of fewer than 20 credit hours at a Board approved Group B Auction School, and serve at least one year as a licensed apprentice auctioneer, participating for compensation in at least 15 auctions.
• Unlicensed state
  experience path:demonstrate at least two years of auctioneering experience in a state that does not require a license.
• Out-of-state
  license path:hold a license in good standing as an auctioneer in another state for at least two years.

Requirements Checklist

• No degree requirement.
• Must qualify through one of the five paths above.
• Must pass the Pennsylvania Auctioneer License Examination, administered by Pearson VUE.
• Must provide a Criminal History Records Check from every state where you have lived, worked, or completed professional training in the past five years.
• Must obtain and maintain a $5,000 surety bond, payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
• Must not have committed any act constituting grounds for license refusal, suspension, or revocation.
• Must pay the required application fee.

Step by Step Process

1. Register an account on PALS, the Pennsylvania Licensing System, and choose your qualifying path.
2. Complete your qualifying requirement, whether that's the apprenticeship, a Group A or Group B school, unlicensed state experience, or existing out of state license.
3. Submit your application electronically through PALS, along with your Criminal History Records Check and application fee.
4. Register for and pass the Auctioneer License Examination through Pearson VUE, offered daily.
5. Obtain your $5,000 surety bond.
6. Receive your license.

Timeline and Cost

Fees are set by the Board and are subject to change.

License Renewal

Pennsylvania auctioneer licenses run on a fixed two year cycle, expiring February 28 of every odd numbered year.

State Preemption of Local Licensing

Special License for Out of State Auctioneers

Pennsylvania offers a Special License for out of state auctioneers and auction companies conducting a limited engagement in the Commonwealth. This requires a current original certification letter from your home state's licensing board and the name and address of the seller or property owner, and it must be submitted to the Board at least 20 days before the auction. Special Licenses cannot be renewed.

Auction Companies and Trading Assistants

Auction companies must designate a licensed auctioneer as the company's auctioneer of record, responsible for ensuring every auction the company conducts complies with Pennsylvania law.

Reciprocity

Pennsylvania's reciprocity standard is a genuine mutual fairness test rather than a static list of approved states. The Board will grant a license by reciprocity if the Board determines the applicant's home state's licensing requirements are commensurate with Pennsylvania's, and that home state extends the same reciprocal privilege back to Pennsylvania licensees, without requiring them to obtain additional licenses from that state's own local subdivisions. Nonresident licensees must also file a notarized Consent of Nonresident Licensee, agreeing that legal action can be brought against them in the appropriate Pennsylvania county court.

Source: National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association.