Education:
(Information supplied by the National Auctioneers Association)

How do you learn the auction business?

Many auctioneers got their start working as a clerk or bid caller for the family auction business. Some NAA members now run businesses that have been in their family for two or three consecutive generations. Many auction companies continue to be family-held endeavors, with extended family members helping organize and staff sales.

If you haven't been involved in a family auction business, there are two other ways to learn the trade. First, there are dozens of auction schools and programs, either independent institutions or programs that are affiliated with a community or four-year college.

Schooling can last for a couple weeks or as long as a college semester. You can expect to learn the trademark auctioneer chant, how to market your services and sales and how to get started in the auction business. The NAA has developed a growing list of auction schools from across North America.

A second option is to gain practical experience as an apprentice under an experienced auctioneer. Apprentice auctioneers assist in organizing and running sales, and learn many of the crucial day-to-day operations of running an auction business.

Either option also includes holding a high school diploma or a GED. Some auctioneers find completing some additional education, either through a local community college or four-year institution, helpful.

Your choice of education could largely depend upon the licensing requirements for auctioneers in your state. Many states that require licensing for auctioneers only accept educational credit from specific auction schools or programs. Often licensing boards will waive the educational credits if an applicant served as an apprenticeship under a licensed auctioneer. Required apprenticeships can range in length from conducting a few auctions under an auctioneer's guidance to one or more years. Call your state government offices to determine if your state has auctioneer licensing laws and educational requirements.

For auctioneers, education shouldn't end with simply meeting the statutory requirements for licensing, if any. Many states require auctioneers to submit a number of continuing education credits during the licensing cycle.

Even if your state doesn't require licensing or continuing education, the budding auctioneer should still seek out opportunities to improve their skills. The industry is changing rapidly, particularly with the advent of online auctions, and the ability to "chant" well is increasingly taking a backseat to savvy marketing skills and prowess with new technology.

There are three sources of auctioneer-specific educational opportunities.

The National Auctioneers Association offers three educational opportunities per year. The annual Conference and Show offers a week filled with educational seminars, roundtables and workshops. In addition, the NAA offers two shorter regional seminars.

Second, the Auction Marketing Institute, an organization affiliated with the NAA, offers educational seminars and promotes the industry's three most-recognized professional designations: Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI); Accredited Auctioneer, Real Estate (AARE); and Graduate, Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA).

Finally, many of the auction schools and programs offer classes for established organizations.

Where an auctioneer seeks continuing education credits can be dependent upon the state licensing board. Some states accept continuing education credits from a few sanctioned programs or institutions.