Buyers Guide
Live Auctions
This guide will help you understand what goes on at an auction and the proper procedures for an auction.
These Tips includes popular phrases and terms used by auctioneers.
What do the Initials Mean?
This guide explains the Initials on a Auctioneers name mean.
The NAA provides its members with a diverse range of professional designation courses specifically built to help Auctioneers specialize while expanding their professional knowledge.
Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI)
The professional designation awarded to practicing auctioneers who meet the experiential, educational and ethical standards set by the NAA Education Institute. In order to be granted the CAI designation, auctioneer scholars must have been practicing full-time auctioneers for at least two year (prior to attending the institute), attend all three years of CAI with more than 120 classroom hours, complete all special projects and complete 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
Accredited Auctioneer Real Estate (AARE)
The professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to qualified real estate auctioneers who meet the educational and experiential requirements of the Institute and who adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice. In order to be designated with the AARE, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 32 classroom hours, a detailed written auction summary report, proof of at least 10 real estate auctions, and 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
Auction Marketing Management (AMM)
A professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to help professional auctioneers understand today’s marketing, both technology-based and traditional. To attain the AMM designation, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 24 classroom hours, complete a custom auction summary report based on knowledge from the designation course, and 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
Benefit Auctioneer Specialist (BAS)
A professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute designed to teach professional auctioneers the planning techniques that create successful benefit auctions. BAS auctioneers learn marketing skills and create a business strategy to build their clientele and profits. In order to be designated with the BAS, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 21 classroom hours, a detailed written auction summary report, proof of at least six benefit auctions and 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
Contract Auction Specialist (CAS)
Awarded by the NAA Education Institute to help Contract Auctioneers learn successful practices to treat the work they do as a business. This two-day course covers marketing, sales, professionalism, and money management including the tax and insurance implications of working for yourself. To achieve the CAS designation, attendees must pass the prerequisite exam or hold another NAA Designation, complete the course in its entirety, and submit four evaluations from a contract auction.
Certified Estate Specialist (CES)
A professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to help professional auctioneers understand how to properly conduct and deal with the settling of estates. The course also educates professional auctioneers on working with family members and dealing with lawyers and accountants. In order to be designated with the CES, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 21 classroom hours and complete 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
Graduate Personal Property Appraiser
The professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to qualified property appraisers who meet the educational and experiential requirements of the Institute and who adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice. In order to be designated with the GPPA, auctioneer-scholars are required to complete 35 classroom hours, a detailed written appraisal report and proof of at least two affidavits of appraisals. This designation also requires 24 hours of continuing education every three years.
Master Personal Property Appraiser
A professional designation awarded by the NAA Education Institute to help professional auctioneers learn the responsibilities of appraising assets. Designees are taught to conduct a complete and appropriate appraisal, as well as taught to know the various factors that affect the value of appraised items. MPPA designees specialize in one or more of the following areas: antiques & estates, plant machinery & equipment, construction & agricultural equipment or small business valuation. In order to be granted an MPPA designation, the auctioneer must already be credentialed with the GPPA.