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License Application Checklist

AUCTIONEER (036)

DCA Licensing Center
42 Broadway, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
For more information, call 311 (or 212-NEW-YORK outside of New York City). 

LICENSE DESCRIPTION:
You must have an Auctioneer license if you sell merchandise by public auction.  
 
This description is only a general explanation of who needs to have an Auctioneer license. 

Note: New York City businesses must comply with all relevant federal, state, and City laws and rules. All laws and rules of the City of New York, including the Consumer Protection Law and Rules, are accessible using the Public Access Portal. For convenience, sections of the New York City Licensing Law (and Rules, if enacted) are available as a downloadable handout. The Law (and Rules) are current as of January 2009.

Please note that businesses are responsible for knowing and complying with the most current laws, including any City Council amendments. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) is not responsible for errors or omissions in the handout. The information is not legal advice. You can only obtain legal advice from a lawyer.

When You File Your DCA License Application:
Below are requirements when filing your license application:

  • Basic Individual License Application   

NEW: Auctioneer applicants can now submit new license applications online. Important: If you are a government employee and choose to submit your application online, you will be charged the full license fee. Applying for the license online does not mean the license is automatically approved. A major credit card is required to submit applications online. Service fees apply. After reviewing application requirements, please click the Apply Online link at the bottom of this Web page to submit your application online.

For in-person application submission, applicants can download the Basic Individual License Application (in PDF)

  • Photo Identification (ID) of License Applicant
    Acceptable forms of ID include:
    • driver’s license or a non-driver’s license identification issued by a State Department of Motor Vehicles
    • license or permit issued by a government agency
    • passport
    • alien card/green card
    • a City, State, or Federal employee ID card 
       
  • Copy of your $2,000 Surety Bond (or Third Party Bond), properly signed
    The copy of the bond must name the Department of Consumer Affairs as the Certificate Holder. Your name and address must be exactly the same on all documents. You must also submit a copy of the bond receipt showing that the bond has been paid in full and does not expire before the end of the licensing period.

    Download a list of bonding companies (in PDF) 
    The companies listed have provided bonds for licensees, or have communicated to the Department of Consumer Affairs an interest in doing so. The list must not be considered a recommendation of any company, or a complete listing. All applicants are advised to investigate and compare these and other bonding companies. Some companies may provide only certain types of bonds. Companies are listed in alphabetical order.

  • Child Support Certification Form (download)
     
  • Granting Authority to Act Form (download)
    If this application will be filed by someone other than the license applicant, the person filing the application must submit a Granting Authority to Act Form. 
     
  • Current color passport-size photograph of License Applicant
    License Applicants can be photographed in the DCA Licensing Center at no cost. 

    Please note that you can upload an image file if you submit your license application online. 
     
  • Three Character Certificates (download)
    Individuals completing the attached certificate must be New York City residents who are unrelated to the applicant and who have known the applicant for at least two years. 
     
  • Fingerprints and Processing Fee
    Auctioneer applicants must be fingerprinted at the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) Licensing Center. EXCEPTIONS: Any person who currently holds or has held within the past three years a DCA license that required fingerprinting does not need to be fingerprinted. Any person fingerprinted at the DCA Licensing Center within the past three years does not need to be fingerprinted. You must visit the DCA Licensing Center, located at 42 Broadway, 5th Floor, in lower Manhattan, and pay a $75 processing fee by check or money order, payable to NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. 

    Your fingerprints will be checked for any criminal record that you may have. Note that a conviction will not necessarily prevent you from being granted a license. However, failure to reveal a conviction can constitute grounds for the denial of your application.

  • License Fee
    For in-person application submissions, the License Fee must be paid by credit card, money order, or check. Cards accepted include Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card. Checks or money orders must be payable to NYC Department of Consumer Affairs. The chart below lists the amount due depending upon when your license application is filed. Note: An odd year is any year ending in an odd digit; for example, 2009, 2011, etc. An even year is any year ending in an even digit; for example, 2010, 2012, etc. 

    Please note that service fees apply if you submit your license application online. A major credit card is required to submit applications online.

Auctioneer License

License Term

License Expiration Date

If You File Your Application
Between These Dates:

Your
License Fee is:

2 years

June 15
Even years

From June 16 in an even year
to December 15 in an even year

$400

 

From December 16 in an even year
to June 15 in an odd year

$300

 

From June 16 in an odd year
to December 15 in an odd year

$200

 

From December 16 in an odd year
to June 15 in an even year

$100
OR
*$500


*Note: If you are applying for the license between December 16 in an odd year and June 15 in an even year, you can pay the prorated fee for the license period about to end ($100) PLUS the fee for the new two-year license period ($400), for a total of $500. If you pay both fees, you will not need to renew the license until June 15 of the next even year.

Online Applicants: If you submit your license application online between December 16 in an odd year and June 15 in an even year, you will be required to pay the combined fee totaling $500. You will not need to renew the license until June 15 of the next even year.

APPLICATION FILING PROCESS: 

ONLINE SUBMISSION:
Please make sure that you have reviewed and recorded the information required to submit a license application online before clicking the button below. Note: After successfully filing the application form online, Auctioneer applicants must visit the DCA Licensing Center within five (5) business days to be fingerprinted. As outlined in the “When You File” section, applicants must submit a copy of their $2,000 surety bond, bond receipt, three character certificates, and a photograph. If you do not upload required documents as part of the application form submission, you must fax, e-mail, or bring documents to the DCA Licensing Center within five (5) business days after successfully filing the application form online. Please note that the image file you upload must be digital passport photo quality. A digital camera with a resolution of 1 mega-pixel will be more than adequate. Applicants can be photographed at no cost in the Licensing Center. Applicants should follow instructions on the printed confirmation page. Your license application will not be complete without these requirements.

You will be routed to the New York City Business Express Web site.

IN-PERSON SUBMISSION:
Applications may be filed in person at the DCA Licensing Center at the address above between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.


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