A nonresident applies for registration. Whom does the application appoint as agent for service of process?s. SPS 121.03, Wis. Adm. Code
A registered auctioneer wants to manage auctions and handle the proceeds. Must the auctioneer also register as an auction company?s. 480.08 (1) (b), Wis. Stats.
A registrant's name changes. How long does the registrant have to send the department written notice?s. SPS 121.06, Wis. Adm. Code
An applicant fails the registration examination again and again. What limit does s. SPS 122.08 (1) put on retakes?s. SPS 122.08 (1), Wis. Adm. Code
An applicant is not required to have a seller's permit. How does s. SPS 121.02 (1) treat the permit requirement?s. SPS 121.02 (1), Wis. Adm. Code
An applicant passes the examination but stays unregistered. After how long must the examination be taken and passed again?s. SPS 122.08 (2), Wis. Adm. Code
An applicant who failed sits down with a proctor to go over the examination. What is the time limit under s. SPS 122.06?s. SPS 122.06 (2) (a), Wis. Adm. Code
Show all 85 questions (78 more)
Registration, the examination and exemptions, continued
An auctioneer applies to renew 5 years or more after the renewal date. What extra condition applies?s. SPS 121.04 (1) (c), Wis. Adm. Code
An owner auctions goods without registering. How long must the owner have held them for personal use for the exemption in s. 480.02 (2) (d)?s. 480.02 (2) (d), Wis. Stats.
Besides meeting the other registration requirements, what must an applicant for a temporary certificate have done?s. 480.08 (7) (a), Wis. Stats.
Chapter 480 does not apply to an auction in which the total appraised value of the goods or services for sale is less than what amount?s. 480.02 (2) (g), Wis. Stats.
For how long after the application is filed, at most, is a temporary registration certificate valid under s. SPS 121.025?s. SPS 121.025, Wis. Adm. Code
How is the pass level of the auctioneer registration examination arrived at under s. SPS 122.05?s. SPS 122.05, Wis. Adm. Code
How long before each examination must the department give public notice of it?s. 480.10 (1), Wis. Stats.
How old must an individual be to register as an auctioneer in Wisconsin?s. 480.08 (2), Wis. Stats.
Must the officers of a registered auction company be registered auctioneers?s. SPS 121.02 (2), Wis. Adm. Code
Section 480.02 (2) lists the auctions the chapter does not reach. Which of these is on that list?s. 480.02 (2) (e), Wis. Stats.
Section 480.10 (1) sets a floor on how frequently auctioneer registration examinations are given. What is it?s. 480.10 (1), Wis. Stats.
To be eligible to sit, how long before the examination date must an individual have met the other registration requirements?s. 480.10 (3), Wis. Stats.
Under s. 480.01 (4), what makes an individual an "auctioneer"?s. 480.01 (4), Wis. Stats.
What does s. 480.08 (7) say about renewing a temporary auctioneer certificate?s. 480.08 (7) (b), Wis. Stats.
When must a registrant tell the department about a trade name?s. SPS 121.07, Wis. Adm. Code
When shall the department register an auctioneer who holds a certificate in another state, under s. 480.12 (1)?s. 480.12 (1), Wis. Stats.
Which department licenses the fur auctions that s. 480.02 (2) (h) leaves outside chapter 480?s. 480.02 (2) (h), Wis. Stats.
Which of these does s. 480.01 (2) define as an "auction company"?s. 480.01 (2), Wis. Stats.
Which of these is one of the six areas the written examination tests under s. SPS 122.03?s. SPS 122.03, Wis. Adm. Code
Which of these must an applicant for auctioneer registration show under s. 480.08 (2)?s. 480.08 (2) (d), Wis. Stats.
Which statement about the auctioneer board is true under s. 480.04?s. 480.04 (2), Wis. Stats.
Written contracts and advertising 10
Besides names, which of these must every advertisement of an auction contain under s. SPS 123.03?s. SPS 123.03 (2), Wis. Adm. Code
The registrant will charge successful bidders a buyer's fee as a condition of sale. What does s. SPS 123.03 (4) require every advertisement of the auction to give?s. SPS 123.03 (4), Wis. Adm. Code
Some of the property to be sold is subject to liens. What must the written contract contain about it?s. SPS 124.02 (7), Wis. Adm. Code
What must an auction advertisement say about payment?s. SPS 123.03 (3), Wis. Adm. Code
What must be in place before an auctioneer may conduct an auction, under s. 480.14 (1)?s. 480.14 (1), Wis. Stats.
What must the contract say about a buyer's fee or surcharge?s. SPS 124.02 (5), Wis. Adm. Code
What must the contract's description of the registrant's services state?s. SPS 124.02 (4), Wis. Adm. Code
What statement must an advertisement that an auction will be conducted include under s. 480.20?s. 480.20 (2), Wis. Stats.
When must the owner or consignor be given a legible copy of the contract?s. SPS 124.03, Wis. Adm. Code
Which statement must the written contract carry under s. SPS 124.02 (3)?s. SPS 124.02 (3), Wis. Adm. Code
Conducting the auction 15
A dozen crates are offered as twelve separate lots. Under s. 402.328 (1), what is each lot?s. 402.328 (1), Wis. Stats.
A fresh offer is shouted just as the hammer comes down on the one before it. Under s. 402.328 (2), what are the auctioneer's choices?s. 402.328 (2), Wis. Stats.
An advertisement for an auction says "everything goes." How will the department construe those words?s. SPS 120.02 (1), Note, Wis. Adm. Code
At $300 a bidder takes back her bid before the sale is announced complete. Does the $275 bid that came before it come back to life?s. 402.328 (3), Wis. Stats.
The auctioneer puts up a wagon and the terms of sale are silent on reserve. Which kind of auction does s. 402.328 (3) presume?s. 402.328 (3), Wis. Stats.
How must an auctioneer conduct the auction under s. 480.14 (2)?s. 480.14 (2), Wis. Stats.
In an absolute auction as s. SPS 120.02 (1) defines it, from what point may the seller no longer withdraw the goods?s. SPS 120.02 (1) (c), Wis. Adm. Code
One item in the auction will be sold with a minimum bid. What may the registrant not do under s. SPS 126.02 (3)?s. SPS 126.02 (3), Wis. Adm. Code
Section SPS 126.02 (8) concerns the bidding itself. Which act does it make unprofessional conduct?s. SPS 126.02 (8), Wis. Adm. Code
Under the definition in s. SPS 120.02 (2), how late may a seller pull goods out of an auction with reserve?s. SPS 120.02 (2), Wis. Adm. Code
What is a "false bid" in s. SPS 120.02 (7)?s. SPS 120.02 (7), Wis. Adm. Code
What must be posted at the place of the auction before it starts, under s. SPS 126.02 (12)?s. SPS 126.02 (12), Wis. Adm. Code
When does "auction" include services provided through a website, under s. SPS 120.02 (1m)?s. SPS 120.02 (1m), Wis. Adm. Code
Who is a "shill" under s. SPS 120.02 (10)?s. SPS 120.02 (10), Wis. Adm. Code
With no notice that the seller might bid, the auctioneer knowingly accepts a bid placed for the seller and knocks the lot down to a real bidder. What may that buyer choose under s. 402.328 (4)?s. 402.328 (4), Wis. Stats.
Trust accounts, closing and records 14
A registrant is not required to keep a trust account. What record must it still keep for each auction?s. SPS 125.03, Wis. Adm. Code
A registrant would like the auction trust account to earn interest. Does s. SPS 125.04 permit that?s. SPS 125.04, Wis. Adm. Code
A trust account is required when the registrant holds auction funds that are not paid to the owner or consignor within how long after the auction?s. SPS 125.035, Wis. Adm. Code
Absent litigation, for how long after conducting an auction must an auctioneer keep complete and accurate records of it?s. 480.18 (1), Wis. Stats.
The depository reports that the trust account is overdrawn. How long does the registrant have to deposit additional funds?s. SPS 125.10 (3), Wis. Adm. Code
Goods sold at an auction become the subject of a lawsuit. How long must the auctioneer keep the records of that auction?s. 480.18 (2), Wis. Stats.
How soon after opening a trust account must the registrant give the department its name, number and depository?s. SPS 125.08 (1), Wis. Adm. Code
How soon after receiving trust funds must a registrant deposit them in a trust account?s. SPS 125.05, Wis. Adm. Code
Records are kept in a computerized system. When must a backup copy of the bookkeeping records be made?s. SPS 125.025 (1), Wis. Adm. Code
Section SPS 125.12 (2) requires a written bank reconciliation of the auction trust account. On what schedule?s. SPS 125.12 (2), Wis. Adm. Code
Unless the contract provides otherwise, how soon after the sale must the auctioneer pay each owner or consignor the money due?s. 480.14 (3), Wis. Stats.
What must be registered with the department along with the name of the bank that holds the trust account?s. 480.16, Wis. Stats.
What words must the name of the account include under s. SPS 125.07?s. SPS 125.07 (1), Wis. Adm. Code
Which of its own funds may a registrant place in a trust account under s. SPS 125.10 (2)?s. SPS 125.10 (2) (b), Wis. Adm. Code
Discipline and penalties 8
A registration is suspended. Whom must the registrant notify in writing under s. SPS 126.03 (1)?s. SPS 126.03 (1), Wis. Adm. Code
As a condition of reinstating a suspended certificate, what may the board require under s. 480.24 (3)?s. 480.24 (3) (b), Wis. Stats.
During a suspension, may the auctioneer accept a referral fee from another auctioneer?s. SPS 126.03 (2) (e), Wis. Adm. Code
Failing to obtain which permit is itself a ground for discipline under s. 480.24 (2)?s. 480.24 (2) (h), Wis. Stats.
May a registered auction company use a suspended auctioneer to call bids at its auctions?s. SPS 126.03 (3), Wis. Adm. Code
Section 480.24 (2) lists what the board may reprimand a registrant for. Which of these is on the list?s. 480.24 (2) (f), Wis. Stats.
Under s. 480.26 (2) a violator may forfeit up to $1,000 for each separate offense. What counts as a separate offense when the violation goes on?s. 480.26 (2), Wis. Stats.
What is the most a person may be fined for violating chapter 480, under s. 480.26 (1)?s. 480.26 (1), Wis. Stats.
Sales tax on auctions and auction math 10
A consignor's three lots bring $640, $1,275 and $85. The commission is 25 percent of each sale. What is the commission in all?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
A contract pays the auctioneer 20 percent of the first $5,000 of sales and 10 percent of the rest. Sales total $18,000. What is the commission?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
A dealer buys at auction for resale. What should the person conducting the auction obtain from the dealer?s. Tax 11.50 (4) (b), Wis. Adm. Code
A lot sells for $1,800 and the posted terms add a 12 percent buyer's fee. What does the buyer pay before any tax?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
An auction company provides complete auction service. Who is the retailer for sales tax under s. Tax 11.50 (2)?s. Tax 11.50 (2), Wis. Adm. Code
An auction grosses $46,000. The contract sets the commission at 8 percent of gross, and the consignor owes $1,150 for advertising. What is due the consignor?Own arithmetic question; the answer is worked from the numbers in the question
Auction sales of household goods are exempt when held at a location where the auctioneer holds how many auctions during the calendar year?s. Tax 11.50 (4) (a), Wis. Adm. Code
The owner of the auctioned property holds a seller's permit. Who reports the sales tax when the auctioneer is the retailer?s. Tax 11.50 (2), Wis. Adm. Code
When are auction sales of antiques exempt as household goods?s. Tax 11.50 (3) (d), Wis. Adm. Code
Which of these is not "household goods" for the auction exemption in s. Tax 11.50 (4)?s. Tax 11.50 (4) (a), Wis. Adm. Code
How this list was compiled: Wisconsin Statutes chapter 480 (Auctioneer Board) and section 402.328 (sale by auction), the 2023-24 statutes as updated through October 1, 2026, and Wisconsin Administrative Code chapters SPS 120 to 126 (Register April 2026; SPS 123, Register November 2024) and section Tax 11.50 (auctions), all read on October 14, 2026 on the Wisconsin Legislature's site (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/480 and https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/sps/professional_services/120). The list of what the examination draws on is from the Department of Safety and Professional Services' Auctioneer, Licensure by Examination page (https://dsps.wi.gov/a-z-professions-list/auctioneer-auc/licensure-by-examination/), read the same day. Each law question names its section 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 Wisconsin auctioneer license practice test asks 85 of our own questions on the law the state exam draws on. Wisconsin calls the license a registration. Not affiliated with the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services.
Read the full guide
What the Wisconsin auctioneer exam draws on
The department's licensure by examination page says the exam covers state statutes and administrative code, with basic math and federal gun sale regulations. It lists Administrative Code Tax 11.50, SPS 120 to 121 and 123 to 126, and statute chapters 29, 77, 95, 100, 138, 218, 402 and 480.
What is left out
The federal firearm section and chapters 29, 77, 95, 100, 138 and 218 are not asked here.
Where the answers come from
Chapter 480 and section 402.328 of the Wisconsin Statutes, chapters SPS 120 to 126 and section Tax 11.50 of the Administrative Code, read on the Legislature's site on October 14, 2026.
A trust account is required when auction funds are not paid to the owner or consignor within 24 hours after the auction (s. SPS 125.035).
Every advertisement says the auctioneer is a "registered Wisconsin auctioneer" and gives the state registration number (s. 480.20; s. SPS 123.03).
Household goods auctioned where the auctioneer holds 5 or fewer auctions in the calendar year are exempt from sales tax (s. Tax 11.50).
Questions and answers
Do you need a license to be an auctioneer in Wisconsin?
Yes, though Wisconsin calls it registration. No person may act as an auctioneer or use the title unless registered under chapter 480. Exemptions include an owner selling goods held for personal use for a year and auctions appraised under $500 (ss. 480.02, 480.08).
How do you get an auctioneer license in Wisconsin?
Be at least 18, apply to the department with the fee, pass its review of any arrest or conviction record, show a seller's permit or that none is required, and pass the examination. Section 480.08 (2) lists no school, apprenticeship or bond.
How many questions are on the Wisconsin auctioneer exam?
The department does not publish a question count, time limit or pass mark. Its page says the exam is given in person in Madison four times a year, and s. SPS 122.05 leaves the passing score to the department.
Can you retake the Wisconsin auctioneer exam?
Yes. There is no limit on retakes. An applicant who reviews a failed examination may not retake it within 30 days of the review, and a pass must be used within one year (s. SPS 122.08).