Washington · State Reference
Washington Auctioneer
License Requirements
Washington requires anyone who calls bids at an auction, or who is a sole proprietor calling bids and arranging auctions, to hold an auctioneer certificate of registration through the Department of Licensing. There is no auction exam, no pre-licensing education requirement, and no continuing education requirement.
Registration System
Washington requires a license, technically called a certificate of registration, but has no pre-licensing education requirement, no written examination, and no continuing education requirement. This is a type of bonded business registration.
Requirements Checklist
- You need an auctioneer license to call bids at an auction in Washington, and you also need one if you are a sole proprietor who both calls bids and arranges auctions.
- A UBI, Unified Business Identifier, number from a Washington business license, obtained through the Department of Revenue.
- A $5,000 surety bond for an individual auctioneer.
- No pre-licensing education requirement.
- No auction exam.
- No continuing education requirement for renewal.
- A trust account is required for client funds, under RCW 18.11.230.
Step by Step Process
- Get your Washington business license and UBI number through the Department of Revenue, if you do not already have one.
- Obtain your surety bond and complete the required bond forms, including power of attorney documentation.
- Create a SecureAccess Washington account to apply online.
- Complete the Auctioneer Registration Application.
- Submit your application and pay the fee through your SecureAccess Washington account, or by mail with the required documents.
- Receive your certificate of registration.
Costs
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Individual auctioneer application fee | $171 |
| Individual auctioneer surety bond | $5,000 face value bond (annual premium approximately $100) |
| Individual auctioneer license renewal | $171 per year |
| Auction company application fee | $281, if not exempt as a sole proprietorship |
| Auction company surety bond | $5,000 to $25,000 face value, based on gross sales (annual premium $100 to $164) |
| Auction company license renewal | $281 per year |
Fees are set by the Department of Licensing and are subject to change.
Auction Companies vs. Individual Auctioneers
Washington separately licenses auction companies, any entity that arranges, sponsors, or manages auctions, in addition to individual auctioneers. A useful exemption: a sole proprietorship owned by a licensed auctioneer does not need a separate auction company license (as long as gross sales do not exceed $25,000 per year). Bond requirements for auction companies scale with gross sales volume in Washington State, with bond amounts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.
License Renewal
Washington auctioneer and auction company licenses renew annually. There is no continuing education requirement to renew. The surety bond remains in force until violated or canceled, and must itself be renewed annually alongside the license. A surety bond company must give the Department 30 days written notice before canceling a bond.
Exemptions
Washington exempts two common situations from the licensing requirement. If you do not receive compensation for conducting an auction, you are not required to be licensed as an auctioneer. And if you personally own the goods being sold, and did not acquire them specifically to resell them, you also do not need a license.
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View the Washington CourseSources
- Washington State Department of Licensing, Get Your License, Auctioneer
- Washington State Department of Licensing, Get Your License, Auction Company
- Washington State Department of Licensing, Frequently Asked Questions, Auctioneers and Auction Companies
- Revised Code of Washington Chapter 18.11, Auctioneers
- Washington Administrative Code 308-11
- National Auctioneers License Law Officials Association, Washington summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to take an exam to become a licensed auctioneer in Washington?
No.
Do I need continuing education to renew my Washington license?
No. Washington does not require continuing education for renewal.
Do I need a bond to get licensed in Washington?
Yes, $5,000 for individual auctioneers. For auction companies it scales with gross sales volume in Washington State, with bond amounts ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.
If I do not get paid to conduct an auction, do I still need a license?
No. Washington specifically exempts uncompensated sales from the licensing requirement, as well as sales of your own property that was not acquired for resale.