Auctioneer Pennsylvania Licensure Requirements Snapshot

An individual who sells or offers or attempts to sell property at auction. The term includes an individual who: (1) Engages in or offers the calling for and recognition of bids at auction. (2) Engages in or offers any of the activities of an auction company. (3) Performs, or offers to perform, any of the functions or activities requiring licensure under section 3(a)(1) of the  Auctioneer Licensing and Trading Assistant Registration Act. (4) Holds himself out as engaged in the business of selling property at auction.

Degree Requirement: 

No Degree Requirement.

Examination Requirement: 

1 Examination - The Board will have a professional testing organization conduct the auctioneer licensure examination multiple times each year.  Applications to take an examination are submitted electronically through the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS). 

Experience:

To qualify for an auctioneer license, an applicant must have passed the prescribed examination after having:

• Served an apprenticeship as a licensed apprentice auctioneer for a period of not less than two years in the employ of a qualified sponsor and participated for compensation in no less than 30 auctions. The applicant shall submit information for each of these auctions specifying the type of auction, the name of the consignor, the location and the date of the auction.

Or • Successfully completed a prescribed course of study in auctioneering at a Group A Auction School approved by the Board. The prescribed course of study in auctioneering shall consist of 20 credit hours of instruction, including 2 credit hours of practicum or cooperative practical experience, and the course shall be taken at schools approved by the Board. A credit hour of instruction is defined as 15 standard hours of instruction, each of which is composed of 50 minutes.

Or • Successfully completed a prescribed course of study in auctioneering and auction industry at a Group B Auction School approved by the Board, the completion of which requires fewer than 20 credit hours.; And served an apprenticeship as a licensed apprentice auctioneer for a period of not less than one year in the employ of a qualified sponsor and participated for compensation in no less than 15 auctions.

·       Schools currently approved by the Board may be found here.

 Or • Demonstrate you have conducted auctioneering for at least two years in a state that does not require a license.

Or • Being licensed in good standing by another state to engage in auctioneering for at least two years.

Continuing Education: 

No Requirement. 

Initial Licensing Fee: 

$200.00

Licensure Renewal Fee: 

$475.00 Biennial renewal of license

* (Effective with the March 1, 2027-February 28, 2029 biennial renewal and thereafter, $500)

Licensure by Reciprocity & Licensure by Act 41:

The Board has the authority to grant licensure by reciprocity to a person who is licensed in good standing as an auctioneer, apprentice auctioneer or auction company in another state may, upon the payment by the applicant of the proper application fee and the filing with the board of a properly certified copy of the license issued to the applicant by the applicant's current licensing state, provided that:

(1)    the requirements for licensure in the applicant's current licensing state are, in the determination of the board, commensurate with the requirements for licensure in this Commonwealth;

(2) the licensing laws of the applicant's current licensing state extend to licensees of this Commonwealth the same reciprocal rights and privileges in that state without the necessity of the licensees in this Commonwealth to obtain additional or further licenses or authority from any political subdivision of that state; and

(3) the applicant satisfies all other requirements of licensees and applicants for licensure in this Commonwealth, including the requirement to furnish a bond.

Act 41 requires licensing boards and commissions to issue a license, certificate, registration or permit to an applicant who holds a current license, certificate, registration or permit from another state, territory or country whose licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements in this Commonwealth and who meet other criteria set forth under Act 41.