State-by-State Reference
Online Auction License Requirements — Every U.S. State
Selling through a livestream on Whatnot, Instagram Live, Facebook Marketplace Live, eBay Live or other live streaming platforms or running an estate sale with an online auction option, can trigger the same state auctioneer licensing laws written for the auction block. This directory is sourced directly from each state's licensing board or statutes. Find your state below for its requirements, application steps, fees, and renewal rules.
Showing 51 jurisdictions, A–Z
How online auction licensing works in the U.S.
Online auction licensing is not a separate category of law in many states. It is the same state auctioneer licensing framework applied to a new format. If a sale is conducted by live streaming or as a competitive bid auction platform often a license is required. A livestream sale on Whatnot or an estate sale with an online auction runs through the same statutes written for the auction block, though a few states have carved out specific exemptions for online-only or timed-bid formats.
Every page in this directory is built from that state's own licensing board, statutes, or administrative code, not from third-party summaries, and each page addresses both categories below separately where the rules differ.
Requirements, fees, and state auction boards change, and platform terms of service are not a substitute for state law. Each state page lists its primary sources. Always confirm current details with the state's official licensing authority before you sell.
Category 1
Livestream & Marketplace Auctions
Selling collectibles, breaks, or general merchandise by competitive bid through a livestream or marketplace app. This covers auction-format sales on:
- Whatnot
- Instagram Live
- Facebook Marketplace Live
- eBay Live
- Other livestream auction platforms
Whether a license is required often turns on how your state defines "auction."
Category 2
Online Estate Sale Auctions
Liquidating a household, estate, or business inventory on behalf of a client using an online bidding platform instead of, or in addition to, an in-person sale. This covers timed online auctions run for:
- Estate liquidations
- Downsizing & moving sales
- Probate & trust asset sales
- Business & equipment liquidations
Most states treat a consignment-based online estate sale auction the same as an in-person one, since the licensing question centers on the competitive-bid, on-behalf-of-a-client structure of the sale rather than the venue.
Select your state
Each state page covers both livestream/marketplace selling and online estate sale auctions, with any differences between the two called out directly.
No states match your search. Try a different name or abbreviation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a state auction license to sell on Whatnot, Instagram Live, Facebook Marketplace Live, eBay Live or other live streaming platforms?
It depends on your state. Many states regulate anyone who conducts a bid-based sale regardless of whether the sale happens in person or through a livestream app. Select your state in the directory above for its specific rule.
Do estate sales with an online auction require a state auction license?
In many states, yes. If you are liquidating a household or estate on behalf of a client using an online bidding platform instead of, or in addition to, an in-person sale, that activity commonly falls under the same state auctioneer licensing statutes that apply to in-person auctions. Some states carve out exceptions for online-only or timed-bid formats. Check your state's page for the specific rule and any exemptions. For example, Illinois requires estate sale professionals to get a state license.
Is there a national license for online auction sellers?
No. There is no federal license for livestream selling or conducting an estate sale with an online auction option. Licensing, where it applies, is handled entirely at the state level, so a license from one state does not automatically authorize you to sell in another unless that state has a reciprocity agreement in place.
If my state doesn't require a license, should I still get trained or certified?
Not by law. But many livestream sellers and online estate sale professionals still pursue formal training and certification because it builds credibility with consignors, sellers, and platforms, and because the line between an unregulated online sale and a licensed auction can shift as state rules evolve.