Alabama · State Reference
Alabama Auctioneer License Requirements
To become a licensed auctioneer in Alabama, you must be at least 19 years old, a U.S. citizen or legally present in the state, and complete a combination of approved pre-license auction education and hands-on apprenticeship. Completing a Board-approved auction school shortens the apprenticeship to one year instead of two years.
Requirements Checklist
- Must be at least 19 years of age (older than the 18-year minimum common in most other states)
- Must be a U.S. citizen or legally present in Alabama
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Must qualify through one of two combined education-and-apprenticeship paths:
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Path A — with approved pre-license auction education:
- Complete a Board-approved auction school
- Serve at least one year as an apprentice under a licensed Alabama auctioneer
- Act as principal auctioneer in at least five auctions during that period
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Path B — without approved pre-license auction education:
- Serve at least two years as an apprentice under a licensed Alabama auctioneer
- Act as principal auctioneer in at least ten auctions during that period
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- Must provide documented proof of apprenticeship and auctions (advertisements, signed closing statements, municipal auctioneer licenses, or affidavits from licensed Alabama auctioneers)
- Must pass the written auctioneer examination, administered daily by Prov, Inc.
- Must obtain a $10,000 surety bond
- License must be renewed annually, by September 30
Step-by-Step Process
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Complete a Board-approved auction school. Alabama maintains an approved-school list — confirm your provider is on it before enrolling. Missouri Auction School is an approved Alabama auction school.
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Begin your one-year apprenticeship under a licensed Alabama auctioneer, immediately following (or alongside, depending on timing) your coursework.
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Act as principal auctioneer in at least five auctions during your apprenticeship year, keeping documentation — signed closing statements, advertisements with your name, and similar records — as proof.
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Submit your license application by mail. The Alabama Board does not accept applications by email or fax — all applications must be mailed to the Board's Montgomery office.
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Register for and pass the written exam, administered by Prov, Inc. Applicants are mailed exam registration instructions after their application is submitted.
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Obtain your $10,000 surety bond and submit the required licensing fee to receive your license.
Timeline and Cost
| Step | Typical Timeframe | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal history record request | Approximately 30 days | $20.00 |
| Written examination (Prov, Inc.) |
Offered daily | $100.00 |
| Initial auctioneer license | Upon passing exam | $200.00 |
| Annual license renewal | By September 30 each year | $200.00 (plus $50 if late) |
| Surety bond | Required before licensure | $10,000 bond (premium cost varies by provider) |
Fees are set by the Alabama State Board of Auctioneers and are subject to change. Confirm current fees at auctioneer.alabama.gov before applying.
License Renewal
Alabama auctioneer licenses expire September 30 of every year and must be renewed annually. A $50 late fee applies if renewal is missed. Alabama also requires 6 hours of continuing education every odd-numbered year, with an exemption for licensees 65 and older.
A Note on Real Estate Auctions
Alabama requires both a real estate license and an auctioneer license to sell real estate at auction.
Source: National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association
Reciprocity
Alabama has reciprocal agreements with the following states, meaning Alabama residents can use their Alabama auction license as the basis for licensure there: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Most western states do not require a state auction license at all.
Source: National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association
Sources
- Alabama State Board of Auctioneers: auctioneer.alabama.gov
- Alabama State Board of Auctioneers — FAQ: auctioneer.alabama.gov/applicants/frequently-asked-questions
- Alabama State Board of Auctioneers — Becoming an Auctioneer: auctioneer.alabama.gov/applicants/becoming-an-auctioneer
- Alabama Administrative Code, Rule 150-X-1-.02, Application For Auctioneer's License
- National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association — Reciprocity: nalloa.org/licensing-state-requirements/#alabama
Ready to meet Alabama's education requirement? Missouri Auction School's Alabama Auctioneer License Course covers the full Board-approved pre-license education requirement, delivered online from home.
See Course Dates & Enroll →Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get an auctioneer license in Alabama?
Alabama's path is longer than many states because it combines auction school with hands-on experience. Completing a Board-approved auction school does not replace the apprenticeship — it shortens it. In addition to your course, Alabama requires a full year of apprenticeship afterward, plus acting as principal auctioneer in at least five auctions, so plan for roughly a year from starting your education to becoming fully licensed, not just the length of the course itself.
Do I need to take an exam to become a licensed auctioneer in Alabama?
Yes. The written exam is administered daily by Prov, Inc., the Board's testing vendor, and is required for initial licensure regardless of which path — auction school education or the extended apprenticeship — you take.
Can I complete the pre-license education requirement online?
Yes, as long as the provider is an Alabama Auction Commission-approved school. Missouri Auction School's Alabama course is delivered through a combination of live Zoom sessions and on-demand lessons, and satisfies the state's education requirement without requiring travel.
Do I need to be an Alabama resident to get licensed?
Alabama requires applicants to be a U.S. citizen or legally present in the state, rather than an Alabama resident specifically. Non-resident applicants have a separate, non-reciprocal application path available through the Board.
What are the costs after completing the course?
Beyond course tuition, plan for a $20 criminal history record request, a $100 written exam fee, a $200 initial license fee, and a $10,000 surety bond (the surety bond premium cost varies by provider). Annual auction license renewal after that is $200, or $250 if filed late.
How often do I need to renew, and are there continuing education requirements?
Alabama auctioneer licenses renew annually, by September 30 each year. A $50 late fee applies if renewal is missed. Alabama also requires 6 hours of continuing education every odd-numbered year, with an exemption for licensees 65 and older.
Does an Alabama auctioneer license work in other states?
Alabama has reciprocal agreements with Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin, meaning Alabama residents can use their Alabama license as the basis for licensure in those states. Most western states do not have a state auction license. Source: National Auctioneer License Law Officials Association.