Each auctioneer shall annually pay one state license in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250). Each auctioneer shall also annually pay a county license fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) in each county where he or she sells by auction. No privilege license shall be required for any apprentice auctioneer when he or she is listed as the principal auctioneer. No license shall be required for any auctioneer who conducts an auction, without compensation for himself or herself, where all proceeds from the auction go to the benefit of any charitable organization. The term "auctioneer" shall include any person selling real estate, goods, wares, merchandise, automobiles, livestock, or other things of value by or at public auction. Sales at public auction involving any of the following may be conducted for compensation without a license:
Ala. Code § 34-4-27 (1975)