Auctioneer Firm
Check the Status of Your Application
To qualify for Auction Firm licensure a business entity must meet the following qualifications:
- Step 1: Submission of complete firm application and $400 fee.
- Step 2: Submit proof of firm ownership and/or firm manager.
- Step 3: Submit a Certificate of Existence from the SC Secretary of State dated within six months of the application date.
- Step 4: If owned or managed by a person not licensed as an Auctioneer in South Carolina, the individual must successfully pass the Auction Firm examination.
Exemptions for Auction Firm Licensure: The following businesses are exempt from auction firm licensure requirements:
- A sole proprietorship
- A Real Estate Broker-in-Charge and real estate brokerage employing a SC licensed auctioneer to handle transactions peculiar to the auctioneer profession.
Companies seeking to attain an Auctioneer Firm License must first apply to the Commission.
If a firm owner or manager is not a South Carolina-licensed auctioneer, the individual will be authorized to take the examination once a completed and approved application has been received. The examination is administered by Prov, Inc. Applicants will not be authorized to take the exam until a completed application is on file.
Applicants will receive a notification from Prov when they are eligible to register for the examination. Applicants are responsible for registering and scheduling directly with Prov, and the examination fee must be paid to Prov at the time of registration.
Exam-eligible applicants are encouraged to review the Prov Auctioneer Candidate Information Bulletin.
Prov will send examination score reports directly to the Commission office. Please do not send your score report to the Commission office.
Auction Firm licenses expire on June 30 of odd-numbered years. Renewal notifications will be sent at the beginning of April. The current license cycle is July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.
If the original applicant (Qualifying Party) for the firm license is no longer with the company, a revised firm application with the updated information along with the renewal form must be submitted. If the new qualifying party is not a licensed auctioneer, the new qualifying party must take the firm exam.
Late Renewal: Applications postmarked between July 1 and September 30 of the renewal year are considered late. Late fees apply in addition to the renewal fee.
After September 30, the license will lapse. To reinstate a lapsed license, a new application must be submitted and reexamination is required.
The Renewal Portal is currently closed.
- How to Renew Your SC LLR License Online
- How to Retrieve your User ID - SC LLR eService
- How to Reset your Password - SC LLR eService
If you have not accessed your e-service account in a while, you may need to reset/recover your password. Go to the "I Forgot My Password" web link at https://eservice.llr.sc.gov/SSO/Login/RecoverPass/, and a link to reset your password will be emailed to you. You must have a current email address on file with the Commission to be able to reset your password.
Accidentally answered a question resulting in a kick-out: Renewal kick-outs are cleared each morning. If immediate assistance is needed, a request to clear a kick-out may be emailed to Contact.Auctioneers@llr.sc.gov. A confirmation email will be sent once the renewal is accessible.
| License Fees Type | App. |
| Auctioneer Firm | $400 |
| Examination Fee | Set by Provider |
| Biennial Renewal (every two years) | $300 |
| Late Renewal: Postmarked on or after July 1st of the renewal year | $25 late fee plus renewal fee |
| Late Renewal: Postmarked between August 1st and September 30th of the renewal year | $100 late fee plus renewal fee |
| License Verifications | $5 |
| Licensee List Request Form | $10 |