Auctioneers – FAQs

An individual must be at least 18 years of age and must have served as an apprentice for at least one year, or completed at least 80 hours of classroom instruction that meets the standards adopted by the board. The applicant must also pass the required examination.

Florida Statutes provide for licensure by examination, endorsement and reciprocity. The state from which the auctioneer is moving must have auctioneer licensing standards that are equal to or exceed the licensing standards in Florida. The list of states that are currently accepted for reciprocity or endorsement may be viewed on the main page, Reciprocal States.

The examination is given daily at various locations throughout the state by Pearson VUE, the department’s testing vendor. You may contact Pearson VUE toll-free at 888.204.6230 or online at www.pearsonvue.com for additional information.

No. The Board of Auctioneers does not maintain an approved list of schools. The Standards for Classroom Instruction (explained in Rule 61G2-6.001, Florida Administrative Code) details the course of study which an applicant must complete to qualify to sit for the examination based on education. As part of the application the auction school must complete a verification form to ensure the course of study requirements have been taught to the applicant.

Yes. The board will process certification of licensure. Please submit your request, including your license number, to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Board of Auctioneers, 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783. The fee is $25.00 and should be included with your request. Most certifications take approximately two weeks to process, depending upon the number of pending requests.

No. An apprentice must work under the supervision of a licensed auctioneer at all times. The auctioneer must have been licensed for at least three consecutive years.

When representing yourself or your business to the public as an Auctioneer or Auction Business, you must be licensed to do so; otherwise you may be cited for unlicensed activity. You can obtain licensing information on the main page.

Yes. The escrow account must be reconciled monthly with the bank statement and a signed and dated record must be maintained for a period of not less than two years.

The department issues two categories licenses within the Auctioneer profession. Those are the Auctioneer Apprentice (AE) and the Auctioneer (AU) license.

No. However, no more than $100.00 may be held in the escrow account for administrative purposes.

The auction business is responsible for all aspects of the auction.

A licensed auction business is identified by the two-letter prefix “AB” followed by a series of numbers assigned by the department.

No, as long as the auction of the automobiles is among automobile dealers and conducted by a licensed auctioneer.

The individual(s) identified as the owner(s)/operator(s) of an Auction Business are issued the “OR” designation. This is Not an actual license and does not permit the holder of such category to run the actual business during an auction.

No. A licensed auctioneer cannot auction real property without a real estate broker’s license. A licensed real estate broker may auction real estate without an auctioneer’s license.

No. Auctions conducted by charitable, civic, or religious organizations do not require licensure when no compensation is being provided to the person conducting the auction.

The board and department must have a current address for you and your auction business at all times.

Yes. Visit our website at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > Online Services. You can also change your telephone number and email address here.

Three types of addresses have been established to support your needs: main, license mailing, and license location. Main Address – This address is the primary address on file. License Mailing Address – This is the address where the mail associated with a particular license will be sent (if different from the main or license location addresses). License Location Address – This is the address where the place of business is physically located. An example of the use of different addresses: If Jane Doe is a contractor that works for ACME Builders, she may have 3 different addresses listed in her profile. Her main address would be the address of ACME Builders’ corporate headquarters. Her license mailing may be her home so she doesn’t have to visit the office to pick up her mail. Finally, her License Location would be the address of the ACME Builders’ local office where she works. If Jane Doe worked independently, she might have only one address on file (Main Address) as her office is the same place she wishes to receive her mail.

The main address and license mailing address can be changed online for all license types. License location addresses can also be changed online, except for Barbershops, Cosmetology Salons, Veterinary Establishments, and Talent Agencies. The location for these license types is tied to the license, so a location change will require submission of a new application.

You may submit the change in writing or by fax to: Department of Business and Professional Regulation Central Intake Unit – License Maintenance 2601 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783 Fax: 850.488.8040

If you have any questions or need assistance completing the application, please contact the department’s Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395.

Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Central Intake Unit
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0783

• Application – $50.00
• Examination – $233.50, paid to the department and $16.50 paid directly to the examination vendor.
• Initial licensing – $150.00
• Unlicensed activity – $5.00
• Recovery Fund Surcharge – $100.00

• Application – $50.00
• Examination – $233.50 paid to the department and $16.50 paid directly to the examination vendor.
• Initial licensing – $150.00
• Unlicensed activity – $5.00

Auctioneer licenses are renewed in November of odd-numbered years. The department will send you a notification that the renewal period is open, at which time you can renew your license(s). This will be 90-120 days before the expiration. All notices will be provided electronically to the email address on record. We encourage you to keep your information up to date and renew online. DBPR online services offer a quick and easy way to renew your license, find license requirements, apply for a license and update a license.

The fee to renew a current, active auctioneer license is $155.00. Please note, pursuant to s. 468.393, F.S., that a recovery fund surcharge may be added to the renewal fee.

You must submit a change of status application and pay a $50.00 reactivation fee. Applications are available on the main page, Manage My License.

There are no continuing education requirements for licensed auctioneers.

Contact the department’s toll-free unlicensed activity complaint line at 1.866.532.1440 or file a complaint online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > File a Complaint.

Contact the department’s Customer Contact Center at 850.487.1395 or file a complaint online at www.MyFloridaLicense.com > File a Complaint.

Yes. At the auction site, the auctioneer is required to prominently display the licenses of the principal auctioneer, the auction business, and any other licensed auctioneers or apprentices involved in the auction.

Yes. The auctioneer recovery fund exists to make restitution to individuals whom have been financially harmed by auctioneers in the state.

There are two avenues to obtain restitution: (1) the aggrieved person may seek a final order from the board directing the licensee to make restitution; or (2) the aggrieved person may seek a final judgment for damages from a court.

Yes. The amount paid may not exceed $50,000 per claim, or claims arising out of the same transaction, auction or an aggregate lifetime limit may not exceed $100,000 with respect to any one licensee.

Yes. A claim for recovery shall be made within two years from the time of the act giving rise to the claim, or within two years from the time the act is discovered.