Please visit http://www.ohioagriculture.gov/auction/ for the most complete and up to date information on becoming an auctioneer in Ohio. The rules and regulations often change.

There are four basic steps to becoming and auctioneer in Ohio (as of May 2005)

In Ohio one must be licensed as an Auctioneer and a Real Estate Broker or Salesperson to be sell Real Estate at Auction (unless court ordered or for auction by owner)

1.) Attend an approved auction school.  An auction school must be approved by the State of Ohio in order for one's attendance there to count toward obtaining an auctioneer's license. The approved auction schools for Ohio are listed here: Approved Schools.  I am an instructor at and a graduate of The Ohio Auction School in Columbus, Ohio and would recommend them highly.  However any auction school that is approved by the State of Ohio meets the same minimum standard of instruction.

2.) Secure a sponsoring Auctioneer to oversee the apprenticeship. An auctioneer apprenticeship is an opportunity to learn and develop the required skills of a practicing auctioneer.  A sponsoring auctioneer has been an auctioneer in good standing in Ohio for at least two years.  A sponsoring Auctioneer may only have two apprentice auctioneers at a time. One can change a sponsor during an apprenticeship. NOTE:  There are a number of required steps.  Please contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture prior to changing sponsors. An apprentice can only bid call under the supervision of his or her sponsor.

4.) 12 auctions AND 12 months. Having passed the exam an apprentice must serve at least 12 months as an apprentice AND bid called at a minimum of 12 auctions under the supervision of one's sponsor.

Finally one may sit for the Auctioneer's Examination* which is both written and oral (bid calling).  There are a number of other things required to becoming an auctioneer including securing a bond, passing a background check and of course fees.  Again for the most up to date information please contact the Ohio Department of Agriculture.  

I know of no study to support this but it seems to takes about 14 to 18 months to become an auctioneer. It can be done in less time but timing can be a challenge. Unlike Real Estate the exams are not scheduled daily.  Apprentice Auctioneer exams are monthly and Auctioneer Exams are quarterly.  Also if one's sponsor does not have many auctions or an apprentice is unable to attend many auctions that may extend total time.

*The Ohio Auction School offers an industry first Auction Exam Prep class that aids individuals that are preparing to take the Ohio Auctioneer's Examination.  The course acts as an Ohio auction law refresher and highlights typical examination questions and topics. Click for more information.