§19-2C-6. Requirements for apprentice auctioneer license.

(a) A person seeking an apprentice auctioneer license shall furnish to the commissioner, on forms provided by the commissioner, satisfactory proof that he or she:

(1) Has a good reputation;

(2) Is a trustworthy character;

(3) Is a citizen of the United States; and

(4) Has taken and passed a written examination relating to the skills and knowledge of the statutes and rules governing auctioneers.

(b) An apprentice auctioneer may take the examination to become an auctioneer after completing one of the following:

(1) Serving a two-year apprenticeship under a licensed auctioneer; or

(2) Attending a nationally accredited graduate school of auctioneering, approved by the commissioner, and serving an apprenticeship of six months.

(c) Before an apprentice auctioneer may take the auctioneer’s examination, the apprentice auctioneer shall conduct at least six auction sales under the direct supervision of the sponsoring auctioneer. The commissioner may waive the requirements of this section, on an individual basis, upon the presentation of written evidence that the applicant has educational training or exceptional experience in the auctioneering profession and that the applicant has been unable to obtain sponsorship by a licensed auctioneer: Provided, That the commissioner may not waive apprenticeship requirements for an applicant without the concurrence of the board of review.

(d) When an apprentice auctioneer is discharged or terminates his or her employment with an auctioneer for any reason, the auctioneer shall immediately provide written notification to the commissioner. No discharged or terminated apprentice auctioneer may thereafter perform any acts under the authority of his or her license until the apprentice auctioneer receives a new license bearing the name and address of his or her new employer. No more than one license may be issued to an apprentice auctioneer for the same period of time.

(e) The commissioner may not issue an apprentice auctioneer license until bond has been filed. All apprentice auctioneer licenses expire on June 30 of each year, but are renewable upon the payment of the annual fee: Provided, That an apprentice auctioneer may continue to perform auctions for up to 20 days after June 30, so long as he or she has submitted the required paperwork to renew his or her apprentice auctioneer license: Provided, however, That licenses issued in 2019 shall continue to be active through June 30, 2020.

(f) A person cannot be licensed as an apprentice auctioneer for more than three years without applying for an auctioneer license. Should an apprentice auctioneer allow the three year limit to lapse, then the apprentice auctioneer shall be required to take the apprentice examination and meet all the requirements of this article.