(a) It shall be unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, to engage in, conduct, advertise, hold himself out as engaging in or conducting the business of, or act in the capacity of, an auctioneer or apprentice auctioneer within this state without first obtaining a license as an auctioneer or apprentice auctioneer, as provided in this chapter, unless he is exempted from obtaining a license under Code Section 43-6-24.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any licensed auctioneer or apprentice auctioneer to act in such capacity in the sale of real property unless such auctioneer or apprentice auctioneer shall also be licensed as a real estate broker, associate broker, or salesperson under Chapter 40 of this title; provided, however, that any auctioneer or apprentice auctioneer who was licensed as such by this state prior to July 1, 1978, and who, prior to December 31, 1984, submits proof to the commission that he has been auctioning real property for five years or more immediately prior to the date of application shall not be required to meet the provisions of this subsection but such person shall not thereby be construed to be a real estate broker, associate broker, or salesperson under Chapter 40 of this title.

(c) It shall be unlawful for any company, directly or indirectly, to engage in, conduct, advertise, hold itself out as engaging in or conducting the business of auctioning without first being registered by the commission, unless such company is exempted from obtaining a license pursuant to Code Section 43-6-24.