What You Need to Do to Get an Auction License in Florida
To get an auction license in Florida, you must complete a pre-licensing course, pass a state exam, and submit an process to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The entire process typically takes four to eight weeks from start to finish, depending on how quickly you complete the course and schedule your exam.
Florida requires anyone who conducts auctions for compensation to hold an active auctioneer license. This includes selling real estate, personal property, or livestock at auction. The state does not allow unlicensed people to conduct auctions, and violations can result in fines and legal action.
Key Takeaways
- You must complete a 72-hour pre-licensing course from a DBPR-approved school before you can sit for the state exam.
- The state exam costs $300 and covers Florida auction law, ethics, and general auction practices; you must score at least 75 percent to pass.
- Your process to DBPR must include proof of the completed course, your exam passing score, and a $250 license fee.
- Florida auctioneer licenses are valid for two years and require you to renew them by submitting a renewal process and fee before expiration.
- Some auction companies hire unlicensed staff to information, but only the licensed auctioneer can conduct the actual sale and accept bids.
Finding and Completing an Approved Pre-Licensing Course
The Florida DBPR maintains a list of schools authorized to teach the required 72-hour auctioneer course. You can find approved schools on the DBPR website under the Auctioneer section. Most schools offer the course in classroom format over two to three weeks, though some offer accelerated weekend or online options.
When you enroll, you will receive course materials covering Florida Statutes Chapter 468, Part II (the auctioneer law), auction ethics, bidding procedures, and record-keeping requirements. The course also covers how to handle earnest money, trust accounts, and disputes between buyers and sellers. Attendance is mandatory—you cannot skip sessions or make them up later.
After you complete all 72 hours, the school will issue you a certificate of completion. Keep this certificate; you will need to submit it with your license process. The course fee varies by school but typically ranges from $400 to $800.
Registering for and Passing the State Exam
Once you have your course completion certificate, you can register for the state exam through the DBPR. The exam costs $300 and is administered by a testing vendor at locations across Florida. You can schedule your exam date online, and most locations offer appointments within two to four weeks.
The exam is 100 questions and covers Florida auction law, ethical conduct, trust account management, and general auction procedures. You have three hours to complete it. You must score at least 75 percent (75 out of 100 questions correct) to pass. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam after waiting 30 days; each retake costs another $300.
Study materials are available through your pre-licensing school and on the DBPR website. Many people review the course materials and the Florida Statutes Chapter 468, Part II in the weeks before their exam date. The law section is heavily tested, so understanding trust account rules, disclosure requirements, and prohibited conduct is essential.
Submitting Your process to the DBPR
After you pass the exam, you submit your license process to the DBPR. You will need to provide your exam passing score (the testing vendor sends this to DBPR automatically), your course completion certificate, and a completed process form. The process fee is $250.
You can submit your process online through the DBPR licensing portal or by mail. Online submission is faster and allows you to track your process status. The DBPR typically processes applications within two to three weeks of receiving all required documents.
The process will ask for your personal information, Social Security number, and any criminal history. Florida law allows the DBPR to deny a license if you have certain felony convictions or have violated auction law in another state. If you have a criminal record, contact the DBPR before submitting your process to ask whether it will disqualify you.
Understanding License Renewal and Continuing Requirements
Your Florida auctioneer license is valid for two years from the date it is issued. Before your license expires, you must renew it by submitting a renewal process and a $250 renewal fee to the DBPR. Renewal applications are available on the DBPR website and can be submitted online or by mail.
Florida does not currently require continuing education for auctioneer license renewal, though the DBPR may add this requirement in the future. You must, however, keep your license active and in good standing—this means paying your renewal fee on time and not violating Florida auction law.
If your license expires and you do not renew it within a grace period (usually 30 days), you will have to retake the state exam and reapply as if you were a new licensee. It is easier and cheaper to renew on time than to let your license lapse.
What Happens After You Receive Your License
Once the DBPR issues your license, you can legally conduct auctions in Florida. Your license number will be printed on your license certificate, and you must display it or provide it to clients before conducting an auction. Many auctioneers frame their license and hang it in their office.
As a licensed auctioneer, you are responsible for following all Florida auction laws, including maintaining trust accounts for earnest money and down payments, providing written contracts to buyers and sellers, and disclosing any conflicts of interest. Violations can result in fines, license suspension, or revocation.
Many auctioneers work for established auction companies, while others operate independently. If you work for a company, the company may require additional training or certifications beyond the state license. If you work independently, you are responsible for your own business insurance, trust account setup, and compliance with state and local regulations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During the Process
One frequent mistake is enrolling in a course that is not DBPR-approved. Before you pay tuition, verify that the school appears on the official DBPR list of approved auctioneer schools. Taking a course from an unapproved school means you will not receive a valid completion certificate and will have to take an approved course before you can sit for the exam.
Another common error is not reading the Florida Statutes Chapter 468, Part II before the exam. The exam tests specific law sections, and many people fail because they relied only on the course materials without studying the actual statute. The statute is available free on the Florida Legislature website.
Some applicants also submit incomplete applications—for example, forgetting to include their exam score or course certificate. Check the DBPR process checklist before you submit to make sure you have included everything. Incomplete applications are returned, which delays your license by several weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a high school diploma or college degree to get an auctioneer license?
Florida does not require a specific education level. You must be at least 18 years old and a Florida resident or have a business address in Florida. You do not need a high school diploma or any college credits to take the pre-licensing course or sit for the exam.
Can I conduct auctions before my license arrives in the mail?
No. You can only conduct auctions once you have received your actual license from the DBPR. Conducting auctions without a license is illegal, even if your process has been submitted and approved. Wait until your license certificate arrives before you conduct your first auction.
What if I fail the state exam?
You can retake the exam after waiting 30 days. There is no limit on how many times you can retake it, but each attempt costs $300. Most people pass on the second attempt if they study the Florida Statutes Chapter 468, Part II more carefully between attempts.
Can I use my Florida auctioneer license in other states?
No. Each state has its own auctioneer licensing requirements. Your Florida license is valid only in Florida. If you want to conduct auctions in another state, you must obtain a license in that state by completing its pre-licensing course and passing its exam.
What is a trust account and why do I need one as a licensed auctioneer?
A trust account is a separate bank account where you hold earnest money and down payments from buyers until the sale closes. Florida law requires licensed auctioneers to maintain a trust account and keep detailed records of all deposits and withdrawals. Your bank must know the account is a trust account, and you cannot use the money for your personal expenses.