Sec. 2. (a) Every individual, before acting as an auctioneer, must obtain a license from the commission.

(b) An applicant for a license must:

(1) be at least eighteen (18) years of age;

(2) have completed at least eighty (80) actual hours of auction instruction from a course provider approved by the commission;

(3) not have a conviction for:

(A) an act which would constitute a ground for disciplinary sanction under IC 25-1-11; or

(B) a felony that has a direct bearing on the applicant's ability to practice competently.

(c) Auction instruction required under subsection (b) must provide the applicant with knowledge of all of the following:

(1) The value of real estate and of various goods commonly sold at an auction.

(2) Bid calling.

(3) Sale preparation, sale advertising, and sale summary.

(4) Mathematics.

(5) The provisions of this article and the commission's rules.

(6) Any other subject matter approved by the commission.

(d) For purposes of subsection (b)(2), the commission may approve online auction instruction that complies with subsection (c) and is offered by a course provider approved by the commission.

(e) An individual seeking an initial license as an auctioneer under this article shall file with the commission a completed application on the form prescribed by the commission. When filing an application for an auctioneer license, each individual shall pay a nonrefundable examination fee established by the commission under IC 25-1-8-2.

(f) When applying for a renewal of an auctioneer license, each individual shall do the following:

(1) Apply in a manner required by the commission, including certification by the applicant that the applicant has complied with the requirements of IC 25-6.1-9-8, unless the commission has granted the applicant a waiver under IC 25-6.1-9-9.

(2) Pay the renewal fee established by the commission under IC 25-1-8-2.

(g) Upon the receipt of a completed application for an initial or a renewal license, the commission shall examine the application and may verify the information contained therein.

(h) An applicant who is seeking an initial license must pass an examination approved by the commission that covers subjects and topics of knowledge required to practice as an auctioneer. The commission shall hold examinations as the commission may prescribe.

(i) The commission shall issue an auctioneer's license, in such form as it may prescribe, to each individual who meets all of the requirements for licensing and pays the appropriate fees.

(j) Auctioneer licenses shall be issued for a term of four (4) years. Subject to IC 25-1-2-6(e), a license expires at midnight on the date established by the licensing agency under IC 25-1-6-4 and every fourth year thereafter, unless renewed before that date. If the license has expired, it may be reinstated not later than four (4) years after the date it expired if the license holder meets the requirements of IC 25-1-8-6(c).

(k) If a license has expired for a period of more than four (4) years, the holder of the license may have the license reinstated by satisfying the requirements for reinstatement under IC 25-1-8-6(d).

(l) The commission may waive the requirement that a nonresident applicant pass an examination and that the nonresident submit written statements by two (2) individuals, if the nonresident applicant:

(1) is licensed to act as an auctioneer in the state of the applicant's domicile;

(2) submits with the application a duly certified letter of certification issued by the licensing board of the applicant's domiciliary state;

(3) is a resident of a state whose licensing requirements are substantially equal to the requirements of Indiana;

(4) is a resident of a state that grants the same privileges to the licensees of Indiana; and

(5) includes with the application an irrevocable consent that actions may be commenced against the applicant. The consent shall stipulate that service of process or pleadings on the commission shall be taken and held in all courts as valid and binding as if service of process had been made upon the applicant personally within this state. If any process or pleading mentioned in this subsection is served upon the commission, it shall be by duplicate copies. One (1) of the duplicate copies shall be filed in the office of the commission and one (1) shall be immediately forwarded by the commission by registered or certified mail to the applicant against whom the process or pleadings are directed.

(m) The commission may enter into a reciprocal agreement with another state concerning nonresident applicants.

As added by Acts 1977, P.L.270, SEC.1. Amended by Acts 1980, P.L.163, SEC.5; Acts 1981, P.L.222, SEC.39; Acts 1982, P.L.113, SEC.32; P.L.3-1990, SEC.87; P.L.214-1993, SEC.14; P.L.238-1995, SEC.2; P.L.23-2003, SEC.3; P.L.194-2005, SEC.19; P.L.157-2006, SEC.25; P.L.105-2008, SEC.16; P.L.59-2014, SEC.4; P.L.177-2015, SEC.17; P.L.158-2018, SEC.1.