To become an auctioneer in the US you usually complete auction school and get a state licence where your state requires one. In Texas, for example, you must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, complete at least 80 hours at an approved auction school, and pass an exam or show two years as an associate auctioneer. In the UK, property auctioneers usually qualify as surveyors first.
Auctioneering is a sales job with a performance attached. You'll value items, write the catalogue, run the bidding and make sure sellers get paid. Some auctioneers sell cars, antiques or equipment, while others specialise in land and property.
I've used two official sources here, read as of October 2026: the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) fact sheet Auctioneers at a Glance, and the UK National Careers Service profile for land and property valuers and auctioneers. Licensing rules vary by state, so Texas is an example rather than the rule everywhere.
Texas auctioneer licence at a glance
| Item | TDLR rule or figure |
|---|---|
| Who needs a licence | Anyone conducting auctions by live bid in Texas |
| Minimum age | 18 |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalency certificate |
| Auction school | At least 80 hours of classroom instruction at a TDLR-approved school |
| Exam or experience | Pass a written exam, or show 2 years as an associate auctioneer and at least 10 auctions |
| Licence application fee | $50 |
| Licence renewal fee | $50 |
| Initial recovery fund fee | $50 |
| Licensees | 2,121 (FY 25) |
Fees are TDLR's figures as of October 2026. The statute is Chapter 1802 of the Texas Occupations Code, and the rules are in Title 16 of the Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 67.
Becoming an auctioneer in Texas, step by step
- Meet the basics. You must be at least 18 and a US citizen or legal alien, with a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
- Go to auction school. Complete at least 80 hours of classroom instruction at a school whose curriculum TDLR has approved.
- Choose exam or experience. Either pass a written exam on the auction business and Texas auction law, or show proof of at least two years as an associate auctioneer with at least 10 auctions.
- Apply for your licence. Pay the application fee and the initial recovery fund fee.
- Renew on time. Licences are renewed for a fee, and extra recovery fund charges can be added.
Starting as an associate auctioneer
If you'd rather learn on the job first, Texas has an associate auctioneer licence. You must be a US citizen or legal alien and work under the direct supervision of a TDLR-licensed auctioneer. The application and renewal fees are each $25, as of October 2026.
This is the route many people take, because two years as an associate with at least 10 auctions can stand in for the written exam when you apply for the full licence.
What's exempt
Not every sale needs a licence. TDLR says internet auctions are exempt unless there's a live bid component, and certain types, including livestock auctions, are exempt from regulation. Check your own sale type before you assume you're covered or exempt.
The rules you'll work under
The fact sheet sets out duties that protect both buyers and sellers. Before any auction, you must have a signed, written contract with the client and a detailed inventory of the property, and both of you must sign any changes to that inventory. You can't use false bidders.
Sale proceeds must go into a separate trust account, and you must pay the seller within 15 days of the auction unless the contract says otherwise. Texas also keeps an Auctioneer Education and Recovery Fund to compensate people harmed when a licensed auctioneer breaches a contract. If the fund's balance on August 31 is below $350,000, each licence holder may pay an additional $50 at renewal.
Becoming a property auctioneer in the UK
In the UK the route is different. The National Careers Service says you'll usually need a degree or professional qualification approved by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Relevant degrees include real estate management, property development and valuation, building surveying, and quantity surveying and commercial management.
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You could also take a Chartered Surveyor Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with a property option, which takes around 5 years, or start as a surveying technician and work up to a valuer or auctioneer role. RICS registration comes through its Assessment of Professional Competence.
Day to day, UK valuers and auctioneers estimate the market value of land, buildings and commercial property, write reports, organise and promote auction sales, and manage the auction process. If property interests you more than general auctions, my guide on how to become a real estate appraiser covers the valuation side.
Skills that help on the rostrum
The National Careers Service lists attention to detail, maths knowledge, analytical thinking, excellent spoken and written communication, and the judgement to make decisions quickly. You'll also need confidence in front of a crowd. If you plan to run online catalogues alongside live sales, my roundup of auction software shows the tools that help.
My verdict
In states like Texas, the route is short and clear: auction school, an exam or two years as an associate, and a licence. Start as an associate if you can, because you'll learn the contracts, trust account rules and crowd work from someone who already does it. In the UK, treat property auctioneering as a surveying career first.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a licence to be an auctioneer?
It depends on where you work. In Texas a licence is required to conduct auctions by live bid, although internet auctions without a live bid component and some types, such as livestock auctions, are exempt.
How many hours of auction school do you need in Texas?
TDLR requires at least 80 hours of classroom instruction at an auction school with a curriculum it has approved.
Can you become an auctioneer without an exam?
In Texas, yes. Instead of the written exam, you can show proof of at least two years as an associate auctioneer and participation in at least 10 auctions.
How do you become a property auctioneer in the UK?
The National Careers Service says you'll usually need a RICS-approved degree or professional qualification, or a Chartered Surveyor Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with a property option.
