South Carolina · State Reference
South Carolina Auctioneer
License Requirements
To become a licensed auctioneer in South Carolina, you must be at least 18 years old and qualify through one of two paths, a Commission approved auction course or a one year apprenticeship. Both paths require passing a written exam covering auction law, ethics, and mathematics.
Two Ways to Qualify
- Auction school path:complete auction school at a Commission approved institution, submit your application, and pass the Commission's written examination.
- Apprenticeship path:first obtain an apprentice auctioneer license by passing the apprentice examination, then serve as an apprentice for one year. During that apprenticeship, you must complete 80 hours of supervised training broken into specific categories: 40 hours of auctioneering, 10 hours of auction ringing, 20 hours of clerking, and 10 hours of cashiering, completed in not less than one year nor more than two years. Your supervising auctioneer must have held a valid South Carolina auctioneer license for at least three consecutive years before being approved as a supervisor, and must provide a written evaluation of your performance.
Requirements Checklist
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must qualify through one of the two paths above.
- Must pass the Commission's written exam.
- Must provide a criminal history record from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and affirm no felony or fraud or moral turpitude conviction within the preceding five years.
- Must provide a credit record satisfactory to the Commission.
- Must pay all required fees.
Step by Step Process
- Choose your qualifying path, either auction school or the apprenticeship route.
- Submit your completed application packet, including your notarized signature, photograph, criminal history record, and credit record, along with the required fee.
- Register for your exam through PROV Exams once your application is approved. You pay the exam fee directly to PROV, not the Commission.
- Pass the written exam.
- Receive your license.
Timeline and Cost
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Examination fee | $68 |
| Credit report fee | $10 |
| Initial license fee | $300 |
| Recovery Fund contribution | $100 |
Fees are set by the Commission and are subject to change.
License Renewal
South Carolina auctioneer licenses run on a fixed two year cycle, expiring June 30 of every odd numbered year. Continuing education is required, 8 hours every two years. The license renewal fee is $300 every 2 years.
Auction Firm Licensing
South Carolina requires any business entity, including a partnership, limited liability partnership, corporation, LLC, or other business association, to obtain a separate auction firm license, even if every partner or shareholder is already individually licensed as an auctioneer. The only exemption is a true sole proprietorship, specifically defined in statute as an auction business owned in its entirety by a single licensed auctioneer. A firm must be owned or managed either by a licensed auctioneer with documented authority over the firm's business decisions, or by someone who is not a licensed auctioneer but has passed a separate written examination demonstrating a thorough understanding of auction business law.
Compliance Details
South Carolina requires licensees to prominently display their license at their business address, and to carry their license pocket card whenever conducting auction business. Every advertisement for an auction must include the auctioneer's name and license number.
Reciprocity
South Carolina has reciprocal agreements with Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Source: National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association.
Ready to become a South Carolina licensed auctioneer? Missouri Auction School's South Carolina course covers the auction school path in full.
View the South Carolina CourseSources
- South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Auctioneers' Commission FAQ
- South Carolina Code of Laws Title 40, Chapter 6, Auctioneers
- South Carolina Code of Regulations Chapter 14, Auctioneers' Commission
- National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association, South Carolina
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an auctioneer license in South Carolina?
It depends on your path. The auction school route is faster than the apprenticeship path. The apprenticeship path requires a minimum of one full year regardless of how quickly you complete your supervised hours.
Do I need to take an exam to become a licensed auctioneer in South Carolina?
Yes.
Do I need a separate license for my auction business, even if I am already a licensed auctioneer?
Yes, in most cases. South Carolina requires a separate auction firm license for any business entity, such as a partnership, corporation, or LLC, even when every owner is individually licensed. Only true sole proprietorships are exempt.
Does an out of state auctioneer license work in South Carolina?
Potentially, if your home state is on South Carolina's reciprocal list, but this only covers full auctioneer licenses, not apprentice licenses.
How often do I need to renew my South Carolina license, and are there continuing education requirements?
Every two years, expiring June 30 of odd numbered years, with 8 hours of continuing education required per cycle.