Divisions: Licensing

Auctioneers

Chapter 51-05.1 of the North Dakota Century Code requires that people be licensed and bonded before they function as an auctioneer or auction clerk in the state. The Commission is responsible for administering these laws and thereby ensuring that people who buy or sell merchandise at public auctions are treated fairly.

Auctioneers and auction clerks are licensed on an annual basis and must maintain performance bonds of $5,000 and $10,000, respectively. Federally insured financial institutions that perform auction clerk duties must be licensed but do not need to file a bond with the Commission.

At the start of the 1999-2001 biennium there were 383 licensed auctioneers and 264 licensed auction clerks in the state. As of June 30, 2001, North Dakota had 360 auctioneers and 232 auction clerks.