Texas license lookup / Get licensed / Auctioneer
How to get an auctioneer license in Texas
Texas auctioneers need 80 hours at an approved auction school and a passing score on the state exam. There is no bond, but every license pays into a recovery fund that protects buyers and sellers.
Reviewed 8 October 2026 against TDLR's application page
At a glance
| Eligibility | 18+, high school diploma or equivalent, US citizen or legal alien, no felony conviction in the last 5 years |
|---|---|
| Education | 80 classroom hours at a TDLR-approved auction school |
| Exam | 75% to pass; two attempts within the one-year application period |
| Fee | $100 ($50 license + $50 recovery fund); no bond |
| Also needed | A tax ID number or a Comptroller exemption letter |
Official TDLR application page Exam guide and pass rates
Step by step
- Complete auction school. 80 hours of classroom instruction at a school TDLR has approved.
- Apply. Send the application with $100 and your tax ID or exemption letter.
- Pass the exam. You get two tries within the one-year application period. Fail both and you must wait a year from the second failure to reapply.
The associate route
An associate auctioneer license ($75, including the $50 recovery fund fee) lets you work under the direct supervision of a licensed auctioneer. After two years supervised and at least ten auctions, you can become an auctioneer without the exam, although you still need the 80-hour course.
The recovery fund
Claims against the fund are capped at $15,000 per claimant and $30,000 per auction or per auctioneer.
How many people hold this license
The public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026 shows 1,689 active auctioneer licenses, of which 1,611 come up for renewal in the next twelve months.
- Auctioneer: 1,631 active
- Associate Auctioneer: 58 active
Where they are: Dallas County (90), Harris County (86), Travis County (38), Denton County (37), Montgomery County (32).
See the full county breakdown and renewal calendar
After you are licensed
- Renewal: every year, judging by the expiration dates in the license file.
- Continuing education: 6 hours per license term, including 2 hours of laws and rules. TDLR CE rules
Before you apply
- Criminal history. TDLR runs a background check on every applicant. With any conviction other than a minor traffic offence, or a guilty or no-contest plea with deferred adjudication, include the Criminal History Questionnaire. Reviews take one to six weeks. You can ask TDLR in advance whether a conviction would bar you, through a criminal history evaluation letter.
- Lawful presence. TDLR may ask for proof of lawful presence in the United States. Send documents only if it asks. What TDLR accepts.
- Military. Service members, veterans and spouses may qualify for fee waivers and other provisions.
Questions
How do I become an auctioneer in Texas?
Complete 80 hours at a TDLR-approved auction school, apply with the $100 fee and pass the state exam with at least 75%.
Do Texas auctioneers need a bond?
No. Instead, each license pays into TDLR's auctioneer recovery fund.
How many people hold this license in Texas?
The public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026 shows 1,689 active auctioneer licenses.
Related licenses
- How to become a property tax consultant in Texas
- How to get a tow truck operator license in Texas
- All license guides
Sources
TDLR: Auctioneers FAQ; TDLR: Auctioneer continuing education. License counts compiled from the public TDLR license file dated 20 September 2026.
Reviewed 8 October 2026. Written by an independent site; not an official TDLR publication and not legal advice. Fees and requirements change: confirm them on the TDLR page before you apply.
Cite this page
PermitPulled (2026). How to get an auctioneer license in Texas. Retrieved from https://permitpulled.com/get-licensed/auctioneer-license-texas
Figures compiled from the public TDLR license file and published under CC BY 4.0. Attribution required.