Auction laws and rules: licensing and the board 41
A licensee changes mailing address and does not notify the board. What is the effect under Section 34-4-21(j)?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(j)
A licensee does not renew within the grace period. How may that person be licensed again?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(f)
The Act gives a late renewer a grace period, with a late fee, counted from the expiration date. How long is it?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(f)
An applicant gets word of a passing score. Rule 150-X-1-.06(b) then starts a clock for sending in the annual license fee. How long is it?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.06(b)
An applicant has not completed an approved course of study. How long must the applicant serve as an apprentice instead?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(b)(2)
An auction company is exclusively owned and operated by a licensed auctioneer in good standing. What must it still do?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.02(d)
An auctioneer located outside Alabama auctions real property that lies in Alabama. Is the auction "in this state" under Rule 150-X-1-.16?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.16(b)
An auctioneer's license is issued to an auction company. To whom is authority to transact business under it limited?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(b)
Show all 121 questions (113 more)
Auction laws and rules: licensing and the board, continued
An owner sells goods at public auction for compensation without a license. What defeats the exemption in Section 34-4-27(1)?Ala. Code Section 34-4-27(1)
At least how many hours of classroom instruction must the course of study for an auctioneer's license include?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(b)(1)
Besides acting as an auctioneer, what is unlawful for a person not licensed under the Act?Ala. Code Section 34-4-20
For how many years immediately before applying must a non-resident, non-reciprocal applicant prove activity as an auctioneer?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.02(b)
For how many years is an appointment to the State Board of Auctioneers made?Ala. Code Section 34-4-50(a)
How does the Act compare the auctioneer's examination with the apprentice auctioneer's?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(c)(1)
How many clock hours of instruction make up the board's biannual continuing education requirement?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.13(a)
How often may the board grant a single auction license to a qualifying nonresident?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(d)
How soon must the board receive notice of a licensee's arrest, charge, criminal conviction or disciplinary proceeding?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(c)(4)
May an Alabama city require an auctioneer who is licensed and bonded under the Act to take out a city auctioneer license?Ala. Code Section 34-4-6
Section 34-4-3 takes certain persons out of the definitions of auctioneer and auction business. Which of these does it name?Ala. Code Section 34-4-3
Section 34-4-21(b) lets an apprentice start younger than an auctioneer. How young?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(b)(1)
Section 34-4-21(b) sets one age for the auctioneer and a lower one for the apprentice. What is the age for the auctioneer?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(b)(1)
Section 34-4-21(f) fixes one expiration date for every auctioneer, apprentice and auction company license. Which date?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(f)
Section 34-4-21(g) excuses older auctioneers from continuing education. Beginning at what age?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(g)
Section 34-4-21(h) has the board deliver a license certificate and a pocket card. What must be done with the certificate?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(h)
Section 34-4-52 fixes how frequently the State Board of Auctioneers gathers to transact business. What is the schedule?Ala. Code Section 34-4-52
What amount of bond must accompany an application for an auctioneer's or apprentice auctioneer's license?Ala. Code Section 34-4-24
What annual county license fee does an auctioneer pay in each county where he or she sells by auction?Ala. Code Section 34-4-27
What fee does the board's fee appendix set for a single auction license?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-A1
What kinds of bond does Section 34-4-24 accept?Ala. Code Section 34-4-24
What late fee does Section 34-4-21(f) set for an auctioneer who renews after the deadline but within the grace period?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(f)
What must accompany an application for an auctioneer's license under Section 34-4-21(b)(2)?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(b)(2)
What must an auctioneer allege and prove to sue in an Alabama court for compensation for auction services?Ala. Code Section 34-4-5
What must an auctioneer certify on an application for inactive status?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(k)(1)
What short title does Section 34-4-1 give the chapter that licenses Alabama auctioneers?Ala. Code Section 34-4-1
When may an auctioneer conduct an auction for a charity with no license under Section 34-4-27?Ala. Code Section 34-4-27
Which form of payment will the board not accept for fees under Rule 150-X-1-.06?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.06(a)
Which mailing address is not sufficient for a licensee under Section 34-4-26?Ala. Code Section 34-4-26
Which of these does Section 34-4-21(c) list among the things the examination may cover?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(c)(1)
Who is a "qualifying agent" under Rule 150-X-1-.02.01?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.02.01(d)
Whom does the Governor appoint to make up the State Board of Auctioneers under Section 34-4-50(a)?Ala. Code Section 34-4-50(a)
With the renewal fee, what must a licensee provide to return an inactive certificate to an active license?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.02(j)
Auction ethics and discipline 21
A board member sat on the Investigative Committee that found probable cause. What part does that member take in the disciplinary hearing on the charges?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.08(c)
A court revokes a license as part of a judgment for damages against the licensee. When may the board reissue it?Ala. Code Section 34-4-31
A licensed auctioneer helps an unlicensed friend conduct auction business that requires a license. Which ground for discipline applies?Ala. Code Section 34-4-29(b)(17)
A licensee files frivolous, unfounded complaints with the board against a competitor. What may the board do?Ala. Code Section 34-4-29(b)(15)
A licensee ignores a subpoena the board issued while investigating a verified written complaint. What is that under Rule 150-X-1-.11?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.11(c)
A person already convicted of violating the Act violates it again. What is the subsequent offense upon conviction?Ala. Code Section 34-4-7(b)
A respondent believes a board member is biased. How long before the scheduled hearing must the affidavit asserting disqualification be filed?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.07(b)
Administrative fines under Section 34-4-29(e) have a floor. What is the smallest fine for one violation?Ala. Code Section 34-4-29(e)
An applicant is found to have conducted auction business in Alabama without first being licensed. For how long may the board deny the right to take the examination?Ala. Code Section 34-4-29(d)
An auction is advertised as absolute and then conducted with reserve. How does Rule 150-X-1-.11 treat that?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.11(c)
Another state's real estate commission disciplines an Alabama auctioneer's real estate license. Is that a ground for action by the State Board of Auctioneers?Ala. Code Section 34-4-29(b)(11)
Before a license is suspended or revoked the accused auctioneer gets written notice of the charges and of the hearing. How far ahead of the hearing date?Ala. Code Section 34-4-29(d)
From whom may an apprentice auctioneer accept valuable consideration for acts under the Act?Ala. Code Section 34-4-29(b)(3)
In an action for an injunction, what civil penalty per day may the board demand for each violation?Ala. Code Section 34-4-29(f)
Section 34-4-29(b) lists the acts for which the board may invoke disciplinary action. Which of these is among them?Ala. Code Section 34-4-29(b)(4)
Section 34-4-29(e) also caps the administrative fine for one violation. At what figure?Ala. Code Section 34-4-29(e)
To which court does an applicant or licensee appeal a final order of the board?Ala. Code Section 34-4-33(a)
What cost bond does a person appealing a decision of the board post with the board?Ala. Code Section 34-4-33(a)
What is a first conviction for violating the Auctioneers License Act?Ala. Code Section 34-4-7(a)
Which conduct while conducting auction business does Rule 150-X-1-.11 list as a ground for discipline?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.11(c)
Will the board accept an anonymous complaint?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.14(f)
Contract law, escrow and closing 22
A bidder buys a lot of furniture on a handshake, with nothing signed. From what price does Section 7-2-201(1) refuse to enforce such a bargain?Ala. Code Section 7-2-201(1)
A bidder inspects a lot as fully as he desires before the sale. What follows for defects that the inspection ought to have revealed?Ala. Code Section 7-2-316(3)(b)
A buyer has paid for and carried off a $900 mower bought with no signed record. Is the contract enforceable as to that mower under Section 7-2-201(3)?Ala. Code Section 7-2-201(3)(c)
An owner leaves a watch with a jeweler who deals in watches, and the jeweler sells it to a buyer in ordinary course of business. What does Section 7-2-403(2) say?Ala. Code Section 7-2-403(2)
Before a license is issued, what must an auctioneer who will hold funds of others give the board about the escrow account?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.02(f)
The board asks for a licensee's auction records. Failing to produce them within how long after the request is grounds for disciplinary action?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(7)
For a sale of real property, what satisfies the closing statement requirement?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(4)
For how long must a licensee keep complete and accurate records of all transactions concerning every auction?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(7)
Goods are sold "as is" at an auction. Unless the circumstances indicate otherwise, what is the effect under Section 7-2-316(3)(a)?Ala. Code Section 7-2-316(3)(a)
How may a contract for the sale of goods be made under Section 7-2-204(1)?Ala. Code Section 7-2-204(1)
How soon after the auction must the closing statement be provided to the seller or consignor?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(4)
Section 8-9-2(1) voids an unwritten agreement that by its terms is not to be performed within what time from its making?Ala. Code Section 8-9-2(1)
Section 34-4-28(d)(1) calls for a segregated account for sellers' and consignors' funds. What must be true of the bank?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(1)
Under Section 8-9-2, which agreement is void unless it is in writing and subscribed by the party to be charged?Ala. Code Section 8-9-2(5)
What date must the written contract with the owner or consignor state?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(2)
What does the seller warrant in a contract for sale under Section 7-2-312(1)?Ala. Code Section 7-2-312(1)
What must a consignment agreement contain under Section 34-4-28(d)(3)?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(3)
When must the licensee enter into the written contract with the owner or consignor of the property?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(2)
When must the seller or consignor be handed a copy of the written instruments the licensee prepared?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(3)
Where must funds received from sales by an apprentice be kept?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(1)
Which of these must a closing statement contain?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(4)
Which term must every written auction contract contain under Section 34-4-28(d)(2)?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(2)
Sponsors and apprentices 9
An apprentice applying to become an auctioneer hands in advertisements from past sales as proof. How must they show the applicant against the sponsor?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.02(a)
An auctioneer discharges an apprentice. What must the auctioneer do with the apprentice's license?Ala. Code Section 34-4-21(i)
May an apprentice execute a contract to conduct an auction on his or her own?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.10(h)
Revocation of the employing auctioneer's license automatically suspends the apprentice's. Within how long may a move to another licensed auctioneer save the apprentice license?Ala. Code Section 34-4-32
Rule 150-X-1-.10(a) asks a would-be sponsor for a minimum time holding a license. How long?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.10(a)
The sponsoring auctioneer cannot attend an apprentice's sale. What must the sponsor do?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.10(c)
What does Section 34-4-28(d)(8) require of the sponsoring auctioneer at an apprentice's auctions?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(8)
Which of these may an apprentice not do under Rule 150-X-1-.10(h)?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.10(h)
Who must bring an action to recover a commission or fee for an apprentice auctioneer's services?Ala. Code Section 34-4-5
Conducting an auction 6
A bidder withdraws a $500 bid before the hammer falls. The bid before it was $450. What is the standing of the $450 bid?Ala. Code Section 7-2-328(3)
A tractor is put up "without reserve," bids are called for, and a farmer bids. Can the tractor now be taken out of the sale?Ala. Code Section 7-2-328(3)
Forty chairs are put up at an auction as ten lots of four. How many sales does Section 7-2-328(1) see?Ala. Code Section 7-2-328(1)
Goods are offered and the terms say nothing of reserve. After two bids and before announcing completion, may the auctioneer withdraw the lot?Ala. Code Section 7-2-328(3)
The hammer is falling on a $900 bid when a $950 bid is called out. Which course is open to the auctioneer?Ala. Code Section 7-2-328(2)
The seller secretly has a lot bid up, and no notice reserved that liberty. The hammer falls at $2,000; the last good faith bid was $1,400. What may the buyer do?Ala. Code Section 7-2-328(4)
Auction advertising 8
An apprentice auctioneer is advertised as conducting a sale. What else must the advertising contain?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(5)
An auction company runs a newspaper notice of its sale. Whose name and state license number does Rule 150-X-1-.03(c) require in it?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.03(c)
Part of the property in an auction will be sold subject to the seller's confirmation. What may the advertising not call the auction?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.03(e)
What does Rule 150-X-1-.03(e) say of an advertisement that makes only a partial disclosure of relevant facts?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.03(e)
What must all advertising for an auction display under Section 34-4-28(d)(5)?Ala. Code Section 34-4-28(d)(5)
What must an advertisement for an online auction sale identify under Rule 150-X-1-.02.01?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.02.01(g)
Which advertising need not carry the auctioneer's name and state license number under Rule 150-X-1-.03(f)?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.03(f)
Who is held responsible for all advertising under Rule 150-X-1-.03(d)?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.03(d)
Auction types 7
A licensee markets a property as "absolute" only to draw a pre-auction bid that meets the seller's reserve, meaning to convert to a reserve auction otherwise. What does the rule say?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.01(7)
Does the board's definition of "auction" reach sales where the bids are made online?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.01(2)
Under the board's definition, what does the seller keep in an auction with reserve?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.01(6)
What does the rule call a person's sale of his or her own goods at public or online auction?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.01(9)
What is a "single day auction" in Rule 150-X-1-.01(11)?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.01(11)
What is an "estate auction" under Rule 150-X-1-.01(8)?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.01(8)
Which term does Rule 150-X-1-.01 treat as equivalent to "absolute auction"?Ala. Admin. Code r. 150-X-1-.01(7)
Basic math 7
A buyer wins lots at $1,250, $980 and $2,470 and paid a $500 deposit when registering. What balance is due?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
A farm of 160 acres is struck off at $2,750 an acre, and the terms add a 10 percent buyer's premium. What is the contract price?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
A seller's lots gross $9,650. The auctioneer deducts a 20 percent commission and $275 for hauling. What does the closing statement show as due the seller?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
A sponsor and an apprentice agree to split a $3,600 commission 70 to 30. What is the 30 percent share?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
An auctioneer sells by auction in six Alabama counties this year. At the county fee Section 34-4-27 sets, what do the county licenses cost in all?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
Equipment sells for $84,000. The commission is 6 percent of the first $50,000 and 4 percent of the amount above it. What is the commission?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
The seller sets a reserve of $45,000, and the auctioneer opens the bidding at 60 percent of the reserve. What is the opening bid?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
How this list was compiled: Code of Alabama 1975, Title 34, Chapter 4 (Auctioneers License Act), Sections 7-2-201, 7-2-204, 7-2-312, 7-2-316, 7-2-328 and 7-2-403 (sales) and Section 8-9-2 (agreements void unless in writing), read on October 14, 2026 on the Alabama Legislature's code site (https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabama?section=34-4-1); and Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 150-X-1 (State Board of Auctioneers, Rules and Regulations), read the same day (https://admincode.legislature.state.al.us/administrative-code/150-X-1). The subject areas and their question counts are from the Alabama State Board of Auctioneers Examinations Candidate Information Bulletin, revised 2026 (https://auctioneer.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/ASBA_CIB-2026.pdf). Each law question names its section or rule and links to it; each math question is arithmetic on the numbers it gives. Licence: Own work. Every question, wrong choice and explanation was written for this site from the text of the law, and the math questions use made-up figures. Nothing comes from the state examination, a testing service, a prep course or an exam question pool.
How it works
This unofficial Alabama auctioneer license practice test asks 121 of our own questions on the Auctioneers License Act, the board's rules, Alabama contract and sales statutes and basic math. Not affiliated with the Alabama State Board of Auctioneers.
Read the full guide
The nine subjects of the Alabama auctioneer exam
The board's Candidate Information Bulletin, revised 2026, splits the auctioneer exam into auction laws and rules 14 questions, contract law 14, auction ethics 12, conducting an auction 12, law of principal and agent 7, auction advertising 6, basic math 6, accounting terminology 5 and auction types 4.
What is left out
Law of principal and agent and accounting terminology rest on auction school texts, not on a statute, so they are not asked. Ethics here means the conduct the Act and Rule 150-X-1-.11 punish.
Where the answers come from
Title 34, Chapter 4 of the Code of Alabama, Chapter 150-X-1 of the Administrative Code, and Sections 7-2-201 to 7-2-403 and 8-9-2, read on the Legislature's sites on October 14, 2026.
The written contract says whether the auction is absolute or with reserve and the date the proceeds will be remitted (Section 34-4-28(d)(2)).
The closing statement goes to the seller or consignor within 30 days after the auction (Section 34-4-28(d)(4)).
A sponsor is present at every auction to directly supervise the apprentice (Section 34-4-28(d)(8)).
Questions and answers
How many questions are on the Alabama auctioneer exam?
80, closed book, with 2 hours allowed, by the board's Candidate Information Bulletin, revised 2026. Auctioneers must score 73 percent to pass. The apprentice auctioneer exam is 60 questions, and its pass mark is 71 percent.
How do you become an auctioneer in Alabama?
Be 19 or older, serve one year as an apprentice under a licensed Alabama auctioneer and complete 85 hours of classroom instruction, or serve two years without the course, then pass the examination and file a $10,000 bond (Sections 34-4-21, 34-4-24).
Do you need a license to auction in Alabama?
Yes. Acting as an auctioneer or apprentice without a board license is unlawful. Exceptions include an unpaid charity auction, an owner selling goods not acquired to resell, and sales under legal process (Sections 34-4-20, 34-4-27).
When do Alabama auctioneer licenses expire?
On September 30 of each year. A late renewal is allowed within 60 days with a late fee of $50 for auctioneers. After that the person applies again and takes the examination (Section 34-4-21(f)).