Can someone with a felony conviction be licensed in regard to an occupation? Can a felon be an auctioneer in a license state? The answers to these types of questions are generally, yes.
We have issues in the United States regarding people who have committed crimes — denying them licensing, the right to vote, the right to work … For example, here’s some insights into — in particular — our voting issue: http://www.sentencingproject.org/publications/6-million-lost-voters-state-level-estimates-felony-disenfranchisement-2016/#V.%20Summary
So what is a typical procedure for someone desiring to be an auctioneer with a past felony conviction or the like? Most importantly, applicants must be honest about their past and reflect such in any answers on an application for licensure. Licensing agencies often inquire about any previous crimes outside of traffic offenses and further reserve the right to require further explanation.
However, most all license agencies reserve the right to license someone with a past criminal conviction. Variables include the severity of the crime, how long ago the crime was committed, what steps or acts the applicant has taken subsequent to the crime including any reparation.
Too, about one-half of all states do not license auctioneers in a comprehensive not statewide fashion, so basically anyone can be (is) an auctioneer. Counties and other similar political subdivisions often times do nor do any background checks … and are more focused on merely fee collection.
So for anyone in the public to say that any particular person should not be an auctioneer (licensed or not) with a past felony conviction is not well informed. Further, in a license state, it’s up to the state (legislature, governor, regulatory agencies, auctioneer commissions, etc.) as to who is — and who is not — granted any occupational licenses and not directly anyone otherwise in the public forum.
Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, CAI, CAS, AARE has been an auctioneer and certified appraiser for over 30 years. His company’s auctions are located at: Mike Brandly, Auctioneer, RES Auction Services and Goodwill Columbus Car Auction. He serves as Distinguished Faculty at Hondros College of Business, Executive Director of The Ohio Auction School, an Instructor at the National Auctioneers Association’s Designation Academy and Texas Auction Academy. He is faculty at the Certified Auctioneers Institute held at Indiana University and is approved by the The Supreme Court of Ohio for attorney education.
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