Chapter 480 — AUCTIONEER BOARD

480.01 Definitions. In this chapter: (1) “Auction” means a sale transaction conducted by means of oral or written exchanges between an auctioneer and prospective purchasers of goods or real estate that consist of a series of invitations made by the auctioneer to the prospective p…

480.02 Applicability. (1) This chapter applies after February 28, 1995. (2) This chapter does not apply to any of the following: (a) An auction conducted by or under the direction of an official of the United States or of this state or a county, city, village or town in this stat…

480.04 General duties and powers of board. (1) In addition to the other duties and powers of the board under this chapter, the board shall advise the secretary on matters relating to auctioneers or auction companies or to the board. (2) The board does not have rule-making authori…

480.06 Rules; review of rules. (1) Before submitting any proposed rules relating to auctioneers or auction companies or to the board to the legislative council staff under s. 227.15, the department shall submit the proposed rules to the board for comment. The board shall have 30 …

480.08 Registration. (1) REGISTRATION REQUIRED. (a) No person may act as an auctioneer or use the title “auctioneer”, “registered auctioneer”, “certified auctioneer”, “licensed auc- May 22, 2026, are designated by NOTES. (Published 5-22-26) 480.08 Updated 23-24 Wis. Stats. AUCTIO…

480.10 Auctioneer examination. (1) The department shall conduct examinations for auctioneer registration at least semiannually at times and places determined by the department. The department shall provide public notice of each examination at least 60 days before the date of the …

480.12 Reciprocity. (1) Upon application and payment of the fee specified in s. 440.05 (2), the department shall register as an auctioneer an individual who holds an auctioneer certificate in another state if the department determines that the requirements for obtaining the certi…

480.14 Conduct of auctions. (1) No auctioneer may conduct an auction unless the auctioneer or the auction company that is managing the auction has entered into a written contract with each owner or consignor of goods or real estate that may be sold at the auction. The contract sh…

480.16 Trust accounts. All downpayments, earnest money deposits or other trust funds received by an auctioneer or auction company on behalf of the auctioneer’s or auction company’s principal or any other person shall be deposited in a common trust account maintained by the auctio…

480.18 Maintenance of records by auctioneers. (1) Unless a longer period of retention is required under sub. (2), for at least 2 years after an auctioneer conducts an auction, the auctioneer shall maintain complete and accurate records of the auction, including the name and addre…

480.20 Advertisements of auctions. No person may advertise that an auction will be conducted unless the advertisement includes all of the following: (1) The name of the auctioneer who will conduct the auction and the name of any auction company that is managing the auction. (2) A…

480.22 Auction consumer protection fund. (1) In this section, “consumer” means a person who has purchased or intends to purchase goods or real estate at an auction. (2) If the department determines that the establishment of a consumer protection fund is necessary to protect consu…

480.24 Disciplinary proceedings and actions. (1) Subject to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1), the board may make investigations or conduct hearings to determine whether a violation of this chapter or any rule promulgated under this chapter has occurred. The board may req…

480.26 Penalties. (1) Any person who violates this chapter or any rule promulgated under this chapter may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both. (2) In addition to or in lieu of the penalties under sub. (1) and the remedies under s. 480.24…