Roughly thirteen (13) states in the United States mandate that auctioneers take some continuing education (CE) periodically. What this means is — auctioneers in those jurisdictions must take classes relating to auctioneering every few years in order to continue to operate as auctioneers.
Such continuing education for auctioneers is also mandated by the National Auctioneers Association for those who have attained certain designations including:
Auctioneer continuing education is good for both auctioneers and the clients and customers they serve. By auctioneers keeping up on current trends, law changes, common practices, new technology and other material issues, they become better able to serve their clients and customers. As such, clients and customers benefit as well.
From my own experience in teaching CE classes all across the United States, as well as discussing this subject with others who do the same, there is a consensus that auctioneers benefit from continuing education. Certainly the benefit comes primarily from the classes, but there is also additional benefit from the time auctioneers spend together prior to class, at breaks and after class.
A comment I heard a few years ago when I was teaching in Indiana has stayed with me ever since. After a three-hour class concerning the UCC 2-328, an auctioneer came up to me and said,
“I’ve been an auctioneer for 37 years, and I learned things today I never knew my entire career. The past 3 hours has made me a better auctioneer.”
If you are an auctioneer, I urge you to take part in periodic continuing education classes, no matter if they are required or not. On the other hand, if you are about to hire an auctioneer, one of the most important questions you can ask is, “Do you take continuing education classes concerning auctioneering?”
Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, Keller Williams Auctions and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. His Facebook page is: www.facebook.com/mbauctioneer. He serves as Adjunct Faculty at Columbus State Community College and is Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School.
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