About
America’s Auction Academy
A Legacy of Excellence
Since 1992, America’s Auction Academy (formerly Texas Auction Academy) has trained over 4,000 auctioneers nationwide. Our 83-hour course is one of the most respected programs in the industry, providing students with the skills, confidence, and certifications they need to succeed.
Mike Jones
President/Co-Owner
Craig Meier
Co-Owner
Accreditation / Affiliations
Recognized by Leading Auction Organizations
America’s Auction Academy is fully accredited and recognized by multiple auctioneer associations and professional organizations.
State Approval
It is the responsibility of the prospective student to contact the auctioneer licensing agency in their state or country for licensing requirements before enrolling in the America’s Auction Academy.
America’s Auction Academy is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission and operates under the rules and regulations of The Career Schools and Colleges Section and in accordance with statute approved guidelines.
America’s Auction Academy is a holder of a certificate of approval issued by the Texas Workforce Commission to carry out the provisions of Chapter 132, Texas Education Code.
America’s Auction Academy is an approved school by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
The course is additionally approved in most all other license law states. Out of state and international students must meet the minimum requirement(s) as set forth by their state or country of residency to receive an auctioneer license.
Become a Champion
The Global Leader in Auctioneer Training
America’s Auction Academy is recognized across the country for graduating some of the industry’s most successful auctioneers, including world and state champions. Our program is built to elevate every student, whether you’re launching a new career or advancing your skills in specialty auction fields. Many AAA graduates go on to compete and win at the highest levels. Train with award-winning instructors and join a legacy of champion auctioneers.
OUR COURSE
General Basic Auctioneering Course
The General Basic Auctioneering course is a comprehensive 83 hour course designed to teach students the skills and abilities essential to acting as an auctioneer, conducting auctions and operating an auction company. Graduates of the course will be able to communicate and interact with the public in conducting auctions with an emphasis on professionalism and ethics in accordance with federal, state and local auction laws. They will learn how to conduct themselves as an auctioneer in performing the auction chant and other basic auctioneer duties.
In addition, they will learn to initiate seller contact, market, set-up, contract, settle, collect sales tax, maintain auction sale files and perform sale management skills for a variety of types of auction sales. Graduates of this course may find entry level employment at an auction house, antique auction gallery, auto auction, cattle sale barn, for a general auctioneer or may choose to start their own business. The tuition, which includes the practice guide, audio, and registration fee, is only $1,995.00.
Career Opportunities
Over 62% of graduates in 2022 worked in the auction business!
Auction House & Gallery Auctions
Bankruptcy, SBA & Government Auctions
Consignment Auctions
Estate & Household Auctions
Real Estate Auctions (Homes, Commercial, Land)
Commercial Assets
General Merchandise
Farm & Machinery Auctions
Automobile Auctions
Business Liquidations
Industrial Plant Liquidations
Purebred & Registered Livestock – Pedigrees
Benefits & Fundraising
Antiques & Collectibles Auctions
Exceptional Instructors
The Power Behind Our Success
Our instructors are the driving force behind our success. their expertise and dedication are our greatest strength.
Mike Jones, CAI, GPPA, BAS President/School Director
Dallas, Texas
He is the founder and President and Director of Mike Jones Auction Group, Inc., as well as the founder of America’s Auction Academy (Dallas, TX) and Co-Owner of the World Wide College of Auctioneering (Des Moines, IA)—two of the most respected auction education institutions in the nation. Through these schools, he has trained thousands of professionals who now represent the industry worldwide.
Mike is a licensed auctioneer in Texas and Tennessee and an active member of both the Texas Auctioneers Association (TAA) and the National Auction Association (NAA). He served as the 56th President of the NAA and was inducted into both the National Auction Association Hall of Fame and the Texas Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame—a rare double distinction recognizing his lifetime contributions to the profession.
A 1993 graduate of the Certified Auctioneers Institute at Indiana University, Mike has continued to champion education and excellence in the field. He earned the 1998 International Auctioneer Championship, achieved the NAA’s “Triple Crown” of professional designations (CAI, GPPA, and BAS), and directed the largest surplus auction in GSA history, generating over $18 million in sales. His global influence extends beyond the United States—he served as keynote speaker for the 2003 South African Auctioneers Institute Convention and is the annual sponsor of the winner of Ireland’s Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV) Novice Auctioneer Competition in Dublin. Each year, he provides advanced auction education and mentorship to those winners through America’s Auction Academy.
Mike continues to be a driving force in advancing ethical standards, professional education, and innovation within the auction community.
W. Scott Swenson, CAI, GPPA
Austin, Texas
A graduate of Texas AandM University and Britten Auction Academy, Scott has held numerous leadership roles throughout his career. He is a Past Director of the National Auction Association (NAA) and a Past President and Hall of Fame inductee of the Texas Auctioneers Association (TAA). Scott earned his Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation in 1993 and has been recognized nationally for his skill and professionalism, including being named the 1992 Texas State Champion Auctioneer and a four-time finalist in the International Auctioneer Championship.
Scott is the President of Jones Swenson Auctions, where he oversees sales of real estate, business liquidations, industrial and commercial assets, and benefit auctions. A licensed real estate broker and personal property appraiser, he holds licenses in eleven states and is approved to conduct auctions for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. His diverse experience also includes serving as a technical advisor for major motion pictures and conducting movie prop liquidation auctions.
Known for his disciplined approach and extensive industry expertise, Scott continues to mentor and train the next generation of auctioneers. His instruction focuses on bid calling, auction preparation, clerking, and auction management, helping students develop both the technical and business skills required to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.
Cheri Boots-Sutton
Frisco, Texas
Cheri’s competitive achievements include being named the 2012 World Automobile Auctioneer Champion, 1999 International Auctioneer Champion (Women’s Division), and 2001 All-Around World Women’s Champion Auctioneer. These honors reflect her exceptional bid-calling skill, stage presence, and unwavering commitment to excellence in a profession historically dominated by men. She is widely recognized as one of the country’s leading automobile auctioneers, trusted by clients and colleagues alike for her expertise, integrity, and ability to engage and energize audiences.
A graduate of the Missouri Auction School, Cheri is an active member of both the National Auction Association (NAA) and the Texas Auctioneers Association (TAA). She also serves as an instructor at America’s Auction Academy (Dallas, TX) and World Wide College of Auctioneering (Des Moines, IA), where she teaches aspiring auctioneers the art of bid calling, professionalism, and audience connection. She frequently conducts fundraising and benefit auctions for community organizations and nonprofits, using her talents to give back and elevate causes close to her heart. Today, Cheri Boots-Sutton continues to inspire both in the auction ring and in the classroom, mentoring new professionals and demonstrating through her own example that excellence is earned through authenticity, perseverance, and passion.
Testimonials
What Others Say
The history of an Auction College, like a family, is also the story of its people. It would be impossible to include the thousands of letters received through the years. However, here is what some of the over 40,000 graduates say about the Worldwide experience.
All of the instructors were nice, professional and helped me understand how to create a chant and what the auctioneering business is all about.
Sterling L.
Las Vegas, NV
My time spent here was well worth the money; wish I could have done it 35 years earlier.
Doug D.
Imperial, NE
Your staff was Top Notch.
Paul D.
Prairie Du Chein, WI
I really enjoyed every minute of the America’s Auction Academy.
Summerslee L.
Las Vegas, NV
I really enjoyed the speakers and the instructors for all the great help they have given. They were really patient and willing to teach.
Nathan E.
Washington, MN
Everything was great and this has been the best week of my life thus far.
Keelan D.
Bowie, TX
It was the first school to come up when I did a search for auctioneering schools online.
Jared C.
Guthrie Center, IA
News
Latest News from the Blog
Americas Auction Academy On WFAA
What's worth traveling thousands of miles? America's Auction Academy
June 2014 TAA Graduate Weaster Helps Organize $65,000 Event for St. Jude
Group Photo Caption: Doug Bradford, Lori Jones, Auctioneer Mike Jones, NBA Great Spud Webb, Mike Weaster, U.S. REO Partners, Montie Davis, Shaun Roberts and Bonne Whittaker, St. Jude/ALSAC. September 16, 2014 (KANSAS CITY, MO) – Over $65k was raised Sunday, September 14th for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in a joint fundraising effort by members of U.S. REO Partners – Default and Real Estate Professionals, United Country Auction Services and United Real Estate – Dallas. “We are ecstatic with the results of this year’s event” said Michael Weaster, representing U.S. REO Partners who helped organize the event. Weaster added “the auction produced twice the total amount raised in 2013 and we are already planning for next year’s event now”. Live Auction highlights included a signed Charlie Daniel’s fiddle, Autographed guitars by country music legends George Jones and Tanya Tucker, Trip to Puerto Plata Dominican Republic, Rare gold coin, Outer Bank, NC beach house, Computers and REO software. The event included a special appearance by former NBA great and dunk champion Spud Webb and music by the Chris Watson Band. Mike Jones, President of United Country Auction Services and National Auctioneers Association Hall of Fame member conducted the Live Auction and Fund-A-Need portion of the evening which brought in approximately $65,000. Bonne Whittaker with St. Jude/ALSAC spoke on behalf of the hospital and Michael Weaster, a Texas Auction Academy graduate and U.S. REO Partners member emceed the event. The event took place at the popular Uptown Dallas restaurant Sambuca.
Where Do Auctioneers Come From?
Where Do Auctioneers Come From? CBS Radio – KRLD 1080 – Dallas/Ft. Worth Reporter: Austin York
Blog
Blog & Tour of Fame
America’s Auction Academy is fully accredited and recognized by multiple auctioneer associations and professional organizations.
Texas Brothers Named 2014 World Automobile Auctioneer Reserve Team Champions
Heath Hale (left), July 2003 TAA Graduate and brother Seth, June 2006 TAA Graduate showing off their Reserve Team Champion hardware at Adesa Auctions of Boston, May 9, 2014. Heath and Seth Hale, America’s Auction Academy Graduates Win Honors in Boston “GOD IS SOO GOOD!!! My brother and best friend Seth Hale (June 2006 TAA Graduate) and I are honored to be named the 2014 World Automobile Auctioneer Championship – Reserve World Champion Auctioneer Team! WOW! This is amazing. Thank you to my beautiful wife for your support and my dad who got us started when we were toddlers. THESE TROPHIES ARE HEADED TO TEXAS!!” Heath Hale – July 2003 America’s Auction Academy Graduate. The Ownership and Instructors at the America’s Auction Academy congratulate Heath and Seth Hale on their recent accomplishment. Both are great young men and outstanding graduate representatives of our auctioneer training school.
Cherlyn Sutton Named 2014 Reserve World Automobile Champion Ringman
Congratulations to Cherlyn Sutton (right), Frisco, TX, 2014 Reserve World Automobile Champion Ringman, a March 2012 America’s Auction Academy graduate with her Mom, Cheri Boots-Sutton, 2012 World Champion Automobile Auctioneer and 1999 International Auctioneer Champion (IAC). What a Mother’s Day weekend!
‘True Grit’ Actor Mike Watson Graduates from America’s Auction Academy
Professional Actor and Stuntman Mike Watson of Santa Clarita, CA whose movie credits include True Grit, Django Unchained, The Lone Ranger and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is a March 2011 Graduate of the America’s Auction Academy in Dallas.