Louisiana Auctioneer Bond: Requirements, Cost & Renewal Guide

Prefer a quick summary before you apply? View the Louisiana Auctioneer Bond application page.

Louisiana auctioneers, apprentice auctioneers and auction businesses must keep a surety bond on file with the Louisiana Auctioneers Licensing Board as part of the state’s licensing process. The board requires these bonds under Section 37:3118 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes. Licenses and bonds expire on December 31 each year, and each bond must show that date on its face. As a result, licensees should obtain their bond before the December 31 deadline each year.

Understanding your bonding requirements can help you avoid licensing delays and remain compliant with Louisiana law.

At American Surety Bonds Agency, qualified applicants can purchase this bond online through our Instant Issue platform. This makes it fast and easy to meet the state’s bonding requirements.

Jump to your license type: Auctioneer | Auction Business | Apprentice Auctioneer

The Louisiana Auctioneer Bond goes by several names depending on where you look.

You may also see it called:

• Louisiana Auction Business Bond
• Louisiana Auction Company Bond
• LA Auctioneer Bond
• Louisiana Apprentice Auctioneer Bond
• Louisiana Auctioneer License Bond

These all refer to the bonds the board requires and are described on this page. Louisiana Auctioneer Bond is simply the common name used across the industry, and the board’s official bond forms are titled Surety Bond – Auctioneer and Surety Bond – Auction Business.

The Louisiana Auctioneer Bond is a $10,000 or $25,000 license bond required by the Louisiana Auctioneers Licensing Board for auctioneers, apprentice auctioneers and auction businesses. Instead of a bond, the law also allows a cash deposit of the same amount with the board.

Under Section 37:3118, the bond rests on two promises: that the licensee will honor any written auctioneer’s contract tied to a sale, and that the licensee will follow the auctioneer licensing law and other state law while doing business. The bond is also payable to the board for the benefit of anyone who suffers a loss from a violation, and it backs the proper handling of funds, taxes and fees.

If an auctioneer fails to comply with those legal requirements or causes a covered financial loss, the injured person may file a claim against the bond. In addition, Louisiana law holds the auctioneer, the surety and the auction house jointly responsible to the owner for any money or property from a sale that is not accounted for.

You must obtain this bond if you are:

• Applying for or renewing a Louisiana auctioneer license, including for online auctions
• Seeking or renewing a Louisiana apprentice auctioneer license
• Licensing or renewing a Louisiana auction business
• Reinstating a revoked, canceled or suspended license when the board requires a bond

However, some sales fall outside the licensing law altogether, such as sales by charitable or nonprofit organizations, sealed-bid sales, and auctions held by auctioneers who work only for a livestock market regulated by the Louisiana Board of Animal Health.

Auctions move money and property quickly between sellers, buyers and the auctioneer, so Louisiana uses these bonds to make sure that money is protected.

As a result, by requiring auctioneers and auction businesses to maintain a surety bond, Louisiana helps:

• Protect sellers and buyers from losses when a licensee breaks a written auction contract or the law
• Encourage licensees to account for sale proceeds and pay sellers on time
• Promote honest dealing and public confidence in Louisiana auctions

Ultimately, by maintaining an active surety bond, auctioneers demonstrate their commitment to complying with Louisiana law and protecting the people they serve.

Each license type has its own bond amount and premium. Find yours below.

Licensed auctioneers need a $10,000 bond written in the auctioneer’s own name. The board’s form specifically calls for the individual’s name, not a business name, and lists the principal’s title as auctioneer.

Qualified Louisiana applicants can obtain this bond online through American Surety Bonds Agency, and the premium starts as low as $59 for one year.

Obtain Your Louisiana Auctioneer Bond Online

Auction businesses need a $25,000 bond written in the name of the business. The required amount rose from $10,000 to $25,000 on January 1, 2025. If a nonresident auctioneer owns the auction business and it is licensed through reciprocity, the bond must equal $25,000 or the amount the owner’s home state requires of Louisiana-owned auction businesses, whichever is greater.

Qualified Louisiana applicants can obtain this bond online through American Surety Bonds Agency, and the premium starts as low as $250 for one year.

Obtain Your Louisiana Auction Business Bond Online

Apprentice auctioneers need their own $10,000 bond, with the apprentice named as principal, delivered to the board with the initial apprentice license application. When an apprentice later applies for a full auctioneer license, a $10,000 auctioneer bond is required with that application.

Qualified Louisiana applicants can obtain this bond online through American Surety Bonds Agency, and the premium starts as low as $59 for one year.

Obtain Your Louisiana Apprentice Auctioneer Bond Online

Through our Instant Issue platform, the premium starts as low as $59 for one year. Your premium may vary depending on the information provided during the application process. The portal displays your final bond information and premium due before you complete payment.

Your premium also depends on which bond you need. For the $10,000 auctioneer and apprentice auctioneer bonds, it starts as low as $59 for one year, while the $25,000 auction business bond starts as low as $250 for one year. You pay a separate premium for each bond you obtain.

If your Instant Issue application is declined, our team can review your options through our standard underwriting process. See your options for surety bonds with bad credit.

One of the most important dates for Louisiana auctioneers is December 31.

Louisiana auctioneer and auction business licenses expire on December 31 each year, and the bond must cover the same licensing period. For that reason, the board requires each bond and continuation certificate to show a December 31 expiration date on its face. Multiple-year bonds are allowed only if they end on December 31, and our Instant Issue applications set that date for you. At the start of each license year, you must give the board a new bond or a continuation certificate.

If your bond is canceled, your license is revoked as of the cancellation date unless you file a new bond first, and the board requires written notice of any cancellation.

Although bonds are issued within minutes through our Instant Issue platform, American Surety Bonds Agency recommends obtaining your bond early enough to include it with your license renewal before the December 31 deadline.

The Louisiana Auctioneer Bond is available through our secure Instant Issue platform:

1. Start your application for your license type: Auctioneer, Auction Business or Apprentice Auctioneer.
2. Enter Your Information. Complete the secure online application with your bond details.
3. Pay Securely. Pay for your bond by credit card.
4. Download Your Bond. Instantly download your bond and submit it to the Louisiana Auctioneers Licensing Board with your license application or renewal.

With your bond on file, you’re ready to keep your Louisiana license in good standing.

American Surety Bonds Agency has been helping businesses meet their surety bond requirements for decades. Whether you’re applying for your first Louisiana auctioneer license or renewing an existing license, our experienced team is here to help make the bonding process simple and efficient.

When you choose American Surety Bonds Agency, you’ll receive:

• Instant Issue available for qualified applicants
• Experienced surety bond professionals
• Competitive bond pricing
• Fast turnaround
• A secure online application process
• Convenient renewal reminders

Above all, we’re committed to helping businesses obtain the bonds they need with responsive service and experienced guidance every step of the way.

Don’t wait until your December 31 deadline.

American Surety Bonds Agency makes obtaining your Louisiana Auctioneer Bond fast, affordable, and hassle-free.

Apply today and keep your license in good standing.

Obtain Your Louisiana Auctioneer Bond Online

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We offer a wide variety of Louisiana commercial surety bonds for auctioneers, motor vehicle dealers, mortgage brokers, contractors, and many other licensed businesses.

Whether you need one bond or several, our experienced team is here to help.

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Our Instant Issue ERISA Bond Application covers single-employer retirement plans with bond amounts up to $500,000, and a team member will help you determine the right coverage amount.

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Complete our Fast Track Contract Bond Application to get started, and a member of our contract bond team will contact you to discuss your project and bonding requirements.

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Complete our simple online application, or speak with one of our surety specialists today.

American Surety Bonds Agency proudly serves businesses nationwide with fast approvals, competitive rates, and responsive service.

American Surety can also assist you with any of your other bonding needs, as we are licensed in all 50 states. Call us today at (404) 486-2355 or our toll-free number (877) 201-8976 or find us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn!