To become an auctioneer, you must hold a double degree in law and in art history, applied arts, archaeology or fine arts. One of these degrees must correspond to a minimum of Bac+3 level (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), the other to Bac+2 level. This double degree gives you the possibility of taking the auctioneer exam. Otherwise, you can take this exam by proving 7 years of experience as an auctioneer’s clerk.
Studies and programs to become an auctioneer’s clerk
School to become an auctioneer
Just like an art history department, the Bachelor in Art Market gives its students all the art history knowledge needed to become an auctioneer’s clerk.
Unlike university, our program to become an auctioneer’s clerk also offers students:
- knowledge of the art market and its players: tutorials, participation in events and sales, meetings with professionals…
- the concrete skills to work in the art market. Professors are practicing professionals who share their know-how with students
- an introduction to art market law: artistic property law, artists' rights, prevention of trafficking and forgeries, guarantees on the movement of works…
- holding a charity auction from the first year as well as practical sessions in the main auction houses
- the opportunity to complete internships with auctioneers from the first year and build a professional network
A way to step directly into the world of auction sales and learn while being at the heart of your professional project.
Our former students, Delphine Bisman and Matthieu Lamoure, became auctioneers after completing our Bachelor in Art Expertise and Commerce. Both chose IESA arts&culture for direct immersion in the art market, the choice of speakers, and the professional internships.
After the auctioneer exam
If you pass the exam, you will complete a 2-year internship with voluntary sales operators and judicial auctioneers, during which you will receive theoretical and practical instruction provided under the supervision of the Conseil des ventes volontaires and the Chambre nationale des Commissaires-Priseurs judiciaires.
At the end of the internship, the Conseil des ventes issues to the candidate who has demonstrated aptitude for the profession a certificate of satisfactory completion of the internship. This allows them to carry out voluntary sales as a sales operator.
If you wish to become a judicial auctioneer, you will also have to take an additional aptitude exam specific to this profession.