It is illegal to conduct an auction without a license in Alabama. Unlicensed auctioneers can be punished with fines of up to $500.
Applicants must pay nearly a thousand dollars for 85 hours of coursework. 8 additional hours are required every two years to keep the license.
It’s worth asking: Does this benefit anyone besides the people teaching the courses and the auctioneers who get to limit the amount of competition they have to face?
Inertia Wins! 
Ryan,
Personally, I’m terrified of a world where an UNQUALIFIED, and UNREGULATED gentleman may attempt to sell me an object. It may interest you to know that many states require licensure of auctioneers. In addition, Wisconsin requires the following professions to have licenses:
Aesthetitician
Aesthetics Instructor
Art Therapist
Barbers Apprentice
Dance Therapist
Manicuring Instructor
Manicurist
and so on.
My favorite is “Peddler.” I have no idea what this is.
http://mikebrandlyauctioneer.wordpress.com/2009/12/25/auctioneer-licensing-good-or-bad/