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How to become a licensed auctioneer in New Hampshire. Surety bond: $25,000. Pre-licensing education: 80 hours. Total initial fees: $275 (includes $75 exam and $200 license fee). Verified 2026-03-21. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Auctioneer — AUC/CAI
Governing Authority
New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification - Board of Auctioneers (administered by OPLC effective September 1, 2023, transferred from NH Secretary of State)
Official website →Yes
License Required
$25,000
Surety Bond
80 hrs
Pre-Licensing Hrs
Not Required
State Exam
0 hrs
CE Hours
$275 (includes $75 exam and $200 license fee)
Total Initial Fees
Pre-Licensing Education & Apprenticeship
VerifiedPre-Licensing Education
Required
Hours Required
80 hours
Approved Programs
80 hours of instruction from an approved auction school (50 hours core curriculum, 30 hours optional) or 6 months apprenticeship with at least 10 auctions
Apprenticeship
Not Required
Auctioneer pre-licensing education requirements vary significantly by state, ranging from 0 to 85 hours. Programs typically cover auction law, UCC Article 2, contract law, ethics, bid calling techniques, trust account management, and marketing. Some states require apprenticeship under a licensed auctioneer. The NAA (National Auctioneers Association) offers education through the CAI (Certified Auctioneers Institute) program.
Browse approved auctioneer training programs to find the right fit.
Browse Auctioneer study materials on Amazon →(affiliate link)
Bond & Financial Requirements
VerifiedSurety Bond Required
Consumer Protection Bond
Bond Amount
$25,000
Bond Details
$25,000 surety bond required for auctioneer licensure
Surety bonds protect consumers against fraud, misrepresentation, and failure to remit auction proceeds. Bond amounts vary significantly by state, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. The bond premium (annual cost) is typically 1-5% of the bond amount, depending on the applicant's credit history. Bonds must be maintained throughout the license period and renewed with the license.
Not sure if you need a auctioneer license? Check whether your state requires one.
Examination Requirements
VerifiedWritten Exam Not Required
State Licensing Examination
Passing Score
75%
No State Exam
State-Specific Exam
Auctioneer examinations typically cover state auction law, the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC Article 2), contract law, ethics, trust account management, bid calling procedures, and state-specific regulations. Passing scores generally range from 70% to 75%. Some states administer their own exams while others accept the NAA examination or equivalent.
Overall licensing difficulty: 1/100
Study recommendation: 1–2 weeks of focused review is usually sufficient
Browse study guides
Auctioneer Exam Study Guides
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Difficulty rating based on education, exam, and experience requirements. Individual experience may vary.
Preparation materials for your auctioneer licensing exam.
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State Licensing Requirements
VerifiedState License Required
State License Title
Licensed Auctioneer
Additional Notes
New Hampshire requires licensure for auctioneers.
Approximately 33 states require licensure for auctioneers. States that do not require licensing include Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oregon. Even in non-licensing states, local permits or business licenses may be required.
Practice Scope & Auction Types
VerifiedReal Property
Authorized
Personal Property
Authorized
Online Auctions
Online auction platforms may be subject to state auctioneer licensing requirements when conducting live-bid auctions
Livestock
Livestock auctions may require additional USDA-regulated market licensing and compliance with state agriculture department rules
Exemptions
New Hampshire exempts certain charity, government surplus, judicial sale, and estate auctions from auctioneer licensing requirements
Auctioneers conduct sales of personal property, real estate, livestock, vehicles, equipment, antiques, art, and other goods through competitive bidding. Many states exempt certain auction types from licensing, including charity auctions, government surplus sales, judicial sales, estate sales, and agricultural auctions. Real estate auctions typically require a separate real estate license in addition to the auctioneer license.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
Application Fee | $75 (examination fee) |
License Fee | $200 |
Total Initial Fees Contact state licensing authority for current total fee schedule | $275 (includes $75 exam and $200 license fee) |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Government & exam fees
Application, exam & license fees
$275
Study guides & supplies
Auctioneer Exam Study Guides
Estimated total (gov't fees)
$275
Average Auctioneer salary in New Hampshire: $34,360/year
Your investment pays for itself in approximately 3 days
Education and training costs vary by provider. Government fees sourced from state licensing board websites.
Renewal & CE Requirements
VerifiedTwo years from issue date
Renewal Period
0 hrs
CE Hours Required
—
Renewal Fee
CE Details
No continuing education requirements
Regulatory Board
Auctioneer licenses must be renewed on schedule with the state licensing authority. Renewal cycles vary from 1 to 2 years depending on the state. CE requirements typically range from 0 to 20 hours per renewal cycle and cover auction law, ethics, bid calling techniques, trust account management, and professional development topics. The surety bond must also be maintained throughout the license period.
We'll send you courtesy reminders at 90, 60, and 30 days before your license expires — so you can stay ahead of your CE and renewal deadlines.
Out-of-State Reciprocity
VerifiedEndorsement Available
Yes
Comity Available
Yes
Reciprocity Requirements
Most states that license auctioneers offer reciprocity or endorsement for licensed auctioneers from other states. Requirements typically include verification of current licensure, meeting education and examination requirements, obtaining the required surety bond, and completing a background check. Some states may require a state-specific examination. Reciprocity agreements vary and should be verified with the specific state licensing authority.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
New Hampshire requires 80 hours of approved education (50 core + 30 optional) or 6-month apprenticeship with 10+ auctions. $25,000 surety bond required (one of the highest in the nation). Exam offered 4 times per year. 75% passing score. No CE required. License period is 2 years from approval date.
New Hampshire requires licensure for auctioneers.
80 hours of pre-licensing education are required.
A $25,000 surety bond is required.
Check with the licensing authority regarding examination requirements.
No continuing education requirements for renewal.
Reciprocity may be available for licensed auctioneers from other states.
There is no interstate compact for auctioneers.
Auctioneer requirements in nearby states
New Hampshire ranks #13 out of 23 for lowest auctioneer licensing fees ($275 (includes $75 exam and $200 license fee)). See full ranking →
More rankings: Fewest CE Hours
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in New Hampshire.
Auctioneer Schools in New Hampshire
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#41 of 51
Salary
#40 of 51
Cost
#13 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Sales and Related Workers, All Other (SOC 41-9099)
Entry Level
$31,140
25th percentile
Median
$34,360
-26% vs. national avg ($46,370)Experienced
$60,970
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
250 employed in this state
Note: BLS does not have a specific SOC code for auctioneers. This data uses "Sales and Related Workers, All Other" as an approximate reference. Actual auctioneer income varies significantly based on commission-based earnings.
Source: BLS OEWS – Sales and Related Workers, All Other (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
-0.3%
DecliningNew Jobs
-500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
16,200
per year (avg.)
191,800 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
Government fees and exam costs to obtain your initial license
Note: These are government licensing fees only. Education/training program costs (tuition, books, etc.) are not included as they vary widely by institution.
Estimated total: 6–18 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
2–6 weeks
Estimated processing time
Moving to New Hampshire? Use our free Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Already licensed elsewhere? See how to transfer your Auctioneer license to New Hampshire →
Transfer your Auctioneer license from New Hampshire to: Maine → | Massachusetts → | Vermont →
A week-by-week action plan built for your situation — with every cost, deadline, and next step mapped out.
A week-by-week action plan built for your situation — with every cost, deadline, and next step mapped out.
New Hampshire requires licensing for auctioneers. A $25,000 surety bond is required. Pre-licensing education: 80 hours. All licensing is managed through the New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification - Board of Auctioneers (administered by OPLC effective September 1, 2023, transferred from NH Secretary of State).
Requirements vary by state. Always verify current requirements with your state licensing authority.