Auctioneer / Illinois
2026 data Illinois board official source

Illinois Auctioneer License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

PlainCredential home → About this data

Conducts auctions for the sale of goods and property.

What the Illinois data shows for Auctioneers

Becoming a licensed auctioneer in Illinois means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 190 training hours, a passing score on State Auctioneer Exam, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 18. Illinois regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "Auctioneer School".

Budget $278 to get started, plus $186 at each renewal on a 2-year cycle. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Illinois, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

On reciprocity, auctioneers should know: Not typically reciprocal.

Licensing Ease Score

C
Licensing Ease Score
58/100
Auctioneer · Illinois

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B-
190 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$278
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$93/yr
$186 every 2 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Illinois

Education / Training Hours
Auctioneer School
190 hours
Exam Requirement
State Auctioneer Exam
Required
Initial License Fee
$278
Renewal Fee
$186
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Auctioneer All Illinois licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Illinois licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Auctioneer in Illinois? ▼
In Illinois, the license path calls for 190 education/training hours, a passing score on State Auctioneer Exam, and a $278 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as an Auctioneer in Illinois? ▼
Certification as an auctioneer in Illinois means clearing the state's checklist: 190 hours of education, and a passing exam score. The Illinois licensing board can confirm the current details.
Can I transfer my Auctioneer license to Illinois from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for auctioneers: Not typically reciprocal. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the Illinois licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does Illinois require a background check for Auctioneer licensing? ▼
Illinois does require a background check before issuing an auctioneer license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this auctioneer license

Auctioneer in Illinois, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in an auctioneer-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Illinois's auctioneer requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Auctioneer in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state auctioneer license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Illinois's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Illinois overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Illinois licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.