What You Need to Know Before You Start
An auction license in Florida is a professional credential issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). It allows you to conduct auctions of personal property — items like vehicles, equipment, household goods, or merchandise — for a fee. Unlike a driver's license, which is required to operate a vehicle on public roads, an auction license is required only if you plan to work as an auctioneer or auction company in Florida.
The state does not issue auction licenses to individuals who straightforward want to sell their own property at auction. You need this license only if you intend to conduct auctions professionally — meaning you hold auctions for other people or businesses and charge them a commission or fee. If you are planning to auction off personal items you own, you do not need a license.
Florida recognizes two types of auction licenses: a regular auctioneer license and an apprentice auctioneer license. The apprentice license allows you to work under the supervision of a licensed auctioneer while you gain experience. The regular license allows you to conduct auctions independently.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 18 years old, a Florida resident or have a registered business address in Florida, and pass a criminal background check to hold an auction license.
- Florida requires 120 hours of classroom instruction from an approved auction school before you can take the state licensing exam.
- The licensing exam costs money and covers Florida auction law, ethics, and general auction practices; you must score at least 75 percent to pass.
- After passing the exam, you submit your process to the DBPR along with proof of education, background clearance, and the license fee, which varies by license type.
- The entire process typically takes several months from enrollment in auction school through final license approval.
Meet the Basic Requirements
Before you enroll in auction school, confirm that you meet Florida's baseline requirements. You must be at least 18 years old and either a Florida resident or have a registered business address in the state. If you do not yet live in Florida, you can establish a business address through a registered agent or commercial mail service, though you will eventually need to relocate or maintain that address for licensing purposes.
You must also pass a criminal background check. Florida law disqualifies people with certain felony convictions — particularly those involving fraud, theft, or dishonesty — from holding an auction license. The DBPR will conduct this check as part of your process, but you can request a background check yourself beforehand through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement if you want to know whether a past conviction might be a barrier.
You do not need prior auction experience, a high school diploma, or any specific professional background. The education requirement — 120 hours of classroom instruction — is designed to teach you everything you need to know.
Complete 120 Hours of Approved Auction School
Florida requires all auctioneer candidates to complete 120 hours of classroom instruction at a school approved by the DBPR. This is not an online course you can take at your own pace; it is structured classroom time, usually delivered over several weeks. The DBPR maintains a list of approved schools on its website, and most are located in major Florida cities, though some offer courses in multiple locations.
The curriculum covers Florida auction law and regulations, ethics and professional conduct, auction procedures and techniques, contract law as it applies to auctions, and the auctioneer's role in handling client funds and property. You will also learn about the licensing process itself and what the state expects from licensed auctioneers.
Costs vary by school but typically range from several hundred to over a thousand dollars for the full 120-hour course. When you choose a school, confirm that it is on the DBPR's approved list — taking a course at an unapproved school will not count toward your requirement, and you will have to repeat the hours elsewhere. Most schools provide a certificate of completion once you finish, which you will need when you explore for the exam.
Pass the Florida Auctioneer Licensing Exam
After you complete your 120 hours of classroom instruction, you are may be able to access to take the Florida auctioneer licensing exam. This exam is administered by a testing company contracted by the DBPR, not by the DBPR itself. You must schedule your exam through that testing company's website or by phone; the DBPR does not schedule exams directly.
The exam covers Florida auction law, ethical conduct, general auction practices, and the content from your classroom instruction. You must score at least 75 percent to pass. The exam costs money — the exact fee is set by the testing company and may change, so check the current cost when you register. Most candidates take the exam within a few weeks of finishing their 120-hour course while the material is fresh.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam. There is no limit on the number of attempts, but you will pay the exam fee each time. Many people pass on the first try if they attended the classroom instruction regularly and reviewed the material beforehand.
Submit Your process to the DBPR
Once you have passed the exam, you are ready to explore for your auction license. You will submit an process to the DBPR's Division of Regulation, which processes auctioneer licenses. The process requires your exam results, your certificate of completion from the approved auction school, proof of your identity and residency (or business address in Florida), and a completed background authorization form.
You will also need to pay the license fee. The fee depends on which type of license you are seeking — an apprentice auctioneer license costs less than a regular auctioneer license. The DBPR's website lists the current fees, which may change annually. You can submit your process online through the DBPR's licensing portal or by mail; online submission is faster.
The DBPR will review your process, conduct the background check if they have not already, and notify you of approval or any missing information. This review typically takes four to eight weeks. Once approved, you will receive your license by mail or through the online portal, depending on how you applied.
Understand the Apprentice License Option
If you want to start working as an auctioneer before obtaining your full license, Florida offers an apprentice auctioneer license. This license allows you to conduct auctions under the direct supervision of a licensed auctioneer. You still must complete the 120-hour classroom requirement and pass the exam to get an apprentice license, so the education and testing steps are the same.
The apprentice license is useful if you want to gain practical experience while working toward your regular license, or if you plan to work for an established auction company rather than operate independently. The apprentice license is valid for a set period — check the DBPR's current rules for the exact duration — and you can renew it or upgrade to a regular license once you meet any additional experience requirements the state may have.
Renew Your License and Stay Compliant
Once you have your auction license, you must renew it periodically to keep it active. Florida requires auctioneers to renew their licenses every two years. The renewal process is simpler than the initial process — you do not have to retake the exam or repeat the classroom hours — but you do have to pay a renewal fee and may be required to complete continuing education hours.
The DBPR will send you a renewal notice before your license expires. You can renew online or by mail. Failing to renew before the expiration date means your license becomes inactive, and you cannot legally conduct auctions until you renew. If your license has been inactive for a long time, the DBPR may require you to retake the exam or complete additional education before you can reactivate it.
You must also comply with Florida's auction laws while you hold your license. This includes maintaining proper records of auctions you conduct, handling client funds according to state rules, and reporting any disciplinary actions or complaints to the DBPR. Violations of auction law can result in fines, license suspension, or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an auction license if I have a felony conviction?
It depends on the type of felony and how long ago it occurred. Florida law disqualifies people convicted of felonies involving fraud, theft, dishonesty, or moral turpitude. Other felonies may not automatically disqualify you. Contact the DBPR directly with details of your conviction to learn whether you are may be able to access before you enroll in auction school.
How long does the entire process take from start to finish?
Most people complete the process in three to six months. The 120-hour classroom course typically takes four to eight weeks, the exam can be scheduled within a few weeks after that, and the DBPR's process review takes four to eight weeks. If you do not pass the exam on your first attempt, add time for studying and retesting.
Do I need a business license in addition to an auction license?
Yes, if you plan to operate as a business, you will need a business license from your city or county in addition to your state auction license. The auction license is specific to conducting auctions; the business license covers your business operations generally. Check with your local city or county clerk's office for their requirements.
What if I move out of Florida after getting my license?
Your Florida auction license is valid only in Florida. If you move to another state, you will need to obtain an auction license from that state if you want to continue working as an auctioneer. Each state has its own licensing requirements, education hours, and exam. Your Florida license does not transfer.
Can I conduct online auctions with an auction license?
Yes, Florida auction law covers auctions conducted online as well as in person. Your license allows you to conduct auctions through any method — live, online, or hybrid — as long as you comply with Florida's auction regulations regarding disclosure, handling of funds, and record-keeping.