How to Become an Auctioneer

Professional auctioneers work hard at their craft and the job involves hours of practice and training.  To find more information on the profession, the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) is a great resource.  Founded in 1949, they are the world's largest association dedicated to professional auctioneers and represent individual auctioneers servicing a wide range of industries.   

The NAA recommends that anyone interested in becoming an auctioneer starts attending auctions to get an idea of the profession, and if still interested, to find an auctioneer school.  Their website publishes a comprehensive list of schools throughout the U.S., Canada and across the globe. 

An auction school teaches students the art of bid calling as well as provides training on how to start and operate an auction business.  They show students the best ways to market their services along with sale’s techniques.  Many auction schools have websites so you can take a look at the requirements and curriculum for schools in your area. 

Looking at a website for one school in New England, they state that all of their instructors are professional auctioneers.  Their program consists of 80 hours of coursework that meets or exceeds the New England States’ educational requirement as well as many other state’s requirements.  The curriculum focuses on auction law and professional ethics along with personalized bid calling and coaching. 

To give an example of the requirements for the New England States, you need 80 hours of certified course work that includes 50 hours of core curriculum and 30 hours of optional curriculum. Core curriculum subjects are Auction Law and the Uniform Commercial Code, Ethics, Contracts and Legal Matters, Accounting Procedures, Advertising, and Bid Calling. Their licensing requirements meet or exceed the requirements of most of the 50 states for certification, and they also have reciprocal licensing agreements with many states.

Also the NAA offers its members continuing educational programs and resources to help them advance in the profession.  The organization’s other benefits include access to the Online Networking and Mentoring Forum and an opportunity to attend conferences and shows.  All members of the NAA abide by a strict Code of Ethics. 

Sources:

auctioneers.org/schools

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