The Auctioneers Board regulates individuals and firms that conduct auctions. The Board is composed of three licensed auctioneers and two citizen members.

Important Notices

Technology Fee: Effective July 1, 2026, certain fees include a separate Technology Fee of $7.25 per year, pursuant to 2026’s House Bill 30. This fee will remain in place through June 30, 2030 and is used solely to upgrade or replace DPOR’s software system.

Reduced Call Center Hours: To facilitate efficient processing of applications, Tuesday and Wednesday call center hours are currently limited. Board telephone call centers will only be available between noon and 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Call center hours for Monday, Thursday, and Friday are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Applicants must read and understand the Auctioneers Board Regulations. Application fees are not refundable.

DPOR Boards only accept the most recent versions of the applications provided on the DPOR website. DPOR Boards are not responsible for processing delays associated with forms that do not conform to this requirement. 

DPOR forms and applications are offered as PDF files that may be filled out electronically or printed and filled out by hand. Both methods require that PDFs are signed and submitted to the address provided. PDFs may only be submitted electronically if specifically allowed by the Board section.

  • Go to: Most Requested Forms (address change, criminal conviction reporting, certification request, etc.) 

 

Individuals

Auctioneer License by Examination Application

  • Application Supplement: Approved Auctioneering Schools List

Auctioneer Universal License Recognition Application

Auctioneer License by Reciprocity Application

  • Application Supplement: States with Approved Reciprocal Agreements List

Auctioneer License Reinstatement Application

Auctioneer Surety Bond Form

Continuing Education Medical Exemptions Request Form

Firms

Auction Firm License Application

Auction Firm Surety Bond Form

Education Providers

Pre-License School/Course Approval Application

Continuing Education Course Approval Application

Renewal Options

  1. RENEW ONLINE
  2. Return the RENEWAL CARD received in the mail along with your payment.
  3. Submit a CREDIT CARD PAYMENT FORM by mail or FAX, with a statement indicating that the payment is for the renewal of a license. You MUST include your license number(s).
  • Renewals cannot be processed over the phone. 
  • If your license has been expired for more than 30 days, you must contact Board staff at (804) 367-8506 or auctioneers@dpor.virginia.gov.

 

Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

Statutes

Regulations

Pending regulatory action (proposed changes, public hearings, etc.) 

Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

The Virginia Regulatory Town Hall provides access to the board's meeting schedule, agendas, and past meeting minutes.

Visit the Town Hall: https://townhall.virginia.gov/L/Meetings.cfm?BoardID=5

Pre-License Education

To qualify to sit for the exam, applicants first must successfully complete a course of study at a Board-approved school of auctioneering.

Exam Application Process:

Applications to take the Auctioneer Exam will be submitted to the Board office for approval.
  1. Applicant/exam candidate can access the license application here.
  2. Board reviews the complete application and all required eligibility materials.
  3. Applicant receives notification of approval or non-approval from the Board.
  4. Applicant then registers directly with PSI for the Auctioneer Exam.
  5. After passing the Auctioneer Exam, PSI gives the applicant a pass letter. The Surety Bond is also due at that time. (It is not necessary to notify the Board that you passed an examination. PSI provides the Board with candidate scores on a daily basis.)
  6. Applicant mails the Surety Bond to the Auctioneers Board.
  7. Once you have met all license eligibility requirements, Board staff will process and mail your license.

 

Examination

Exam Vendor PSI Exams
Frequency and Dates of Exam Daily 
Exam Fee $40 
Exam Locations Charlottesville, VA                       
Richmond, VA
Roanoke, VA
Vienna, VA
Virginia Beach, VA
Johnson City, TN
Salisbury, MD
Questions About Exam Scheduling or Registration? See Candidate Information Bulletin or call PSI at (855) 340-3910        
Other Questions? For licensing requirements, contact the Board office at (804) 367-8506 or auctioneers@dpor.virginia.gov.

 

Continuing Education

Section 54.1-603.1 requires licensees to complete six hours of continuing education as a prerequisite for license renewal or reinstatement. Continuing Education courses completed by an auctioneer pursuant to a requirement of the Certified Auctioneer's Institute (CAI), or participation in the educational programs sponsored by the National Auctioneers Association (NAA) or Virginia Auctioneers Association (VAA), are allowed for credit.

Virginia Auctioneers Association  National Auctioneers Association and Certified Auctioneer Institute 
In Virginia: (888) 878-0601
Outside Va: (919) 878-0601		 (913) 541-8084
E-mail: VaAuctioneers@vaa.org E-mail: education@auctioneers.org


In order to receive credit for courses not offered by VAA, NAA, or CAI, the course must be on the list of Board-Approved Continuing Education Courses (PDF), with an approval date prior to the date the course was taken.

Sign up for email notification of regulatory action and meetings by registering here.

News Releases

AUCTIONEERS BOARD FAQS
 

Question: I’m not a licensed Auctioneer, where do I start?

Answer: Start by completing a Board-approved 80-hour auctioneering course, before submitting your application for exam eligibility. You can find a list of approved courses here.


Question: I want to apply for a reciprocal license in Virginia. What states do you have reciprocity with?

Answer: You can find the current list of reciprocal states here.
 

Question: Do I need to be licensed to perform online auctions?

Answer: Virginia does not regulate online auctions, so no license is needed.


Question: Does my bond company automatically send my renewed bond to the Board?

Answer: No, you are required to submit the bond to the board.


Question: What should the expiration date on my bond be? 

Answer: The expiration date must coincide with the expiration date on the license.


Question: I want to auction off firearms, alcohol, tobacco, or explosives. What do I need to know? 

Answer: Virginia defers to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) on these issues. Please contact them for more information. https://www.atf.gov


Question: I sent my renewal payment and bond together but received a letter asking for my bond. What’s going on?

Answer: Sometimes your payment and the bond request letter cross in the mail, please contact a licensing specialist at auctioneers@dpor.virginia.gov or (804)367-8506 to make sure your license hasn’t already been renewed.


Question: I paid online, is my renewal complete?

Answer: No, please send your bond continuation certificate by email, mail, or fax.
 

Question: How does the continuing education exemption work?

Answer: You must have been licensed by the Board for at least 25 years AND be over the age of 70.
 

Board Roster

Board Executive Director

Kathleen (Kate) R. Nosbisch

Licensing Operations Administrator

Summer Saunders

Regulatory Operations Administrator

Kyle Mathews

Administrative Coordinator

Davon Jones

Member Roster

Board Member Roster

Douglas B. Sinclair

  • Licensed Auctioneer
  • Term ends June 30, 2029
  • Midlothian, VA

Betty Bennett | Board Chair

  • Licensed Auctioneer
  • Term ends June 30, 2026
  • Staunton, VA

Adrianna Cowan-Waddy

  • Citizen Member
  • Term ends June 30, 2028
  • Orange, VA

Angela Smith-Mackey

  • Citizen Member
  • Term ends June 30, 2029
  • Fredericksburg, VA

Joshua Puffenbarger | Board Vice-Chair

  • Licensed Auctioneer
  • Term ends June 30, 2028
  • Mt. Solon, VA

Board members are appointed by the Governor. To learn more about the gubernatorial appointment process, visit the Secretary of the Commonwealth's website. 

DPOR stands ready to assist veterans and active-duty military personnel as they maintain or transition to civilian careers requiring professional credentials.

Active-duty military personnel and their spouses having served outside the U.S., as well as certain diplomatic service members and veterans, may be eligible to receive up to a five-year extension for meeting license renewal requirements (pursuant to Section 54.1-117 of the Code of Virginia).

Spouses of active-duty military personnel assigned to a duty station in Virginia are eligible for expedited processing using the Military Spouse Expedited License Application. A temporary, non-renewable 12-month license for certain military spouses licensed in another state who need more time to meet Virginia-specific requirements is also an option if necessary. [Section 54.1-119] 

  • Military spouses also can get help covering the costs of transferring their professional licenses or certifications when they experience a permanent-change-of-station move with their service member spouse

For honorably discharged veterans, “substantially equivalent” military training, education, or experience may be credited toward certain license requirements (pursuant to Section 54.1-118). The Virginia Department of Veteran Services does not reimburse for exam costs. However, Veterans can be reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The link for the information is here: https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/test-fees.

(Please check back periodically as we modify transactions in the future.)

Address change

ALL license types  

 

Renew a license

ALL license types

 

NOTE: No online transactions available for education providers or courses at this time.

 

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