An "auction house" is any commercial establishment at which goods are regularly or customarily offered for sale or sold at public auction, or at which goods are customarily or regularly deposited and accepted, on consignment or otherwise, for sale at public auction at a fixed location (as printed on AHO license), except those establishments which limit goods sold to thoroughbred horses or any interests therein, including, but not limited to, shares and seasons, or tobacco and certified fixed-base livestock markets.

An "auction house operator" is the individual principally or ultimately responsible for the operation of an auction house, or in whose principal interest the establishment is operated. If an auction house operator has more than one auction house, he/she has a separate license for each location.

A licensed auction house operator or a licensed principal auctioneer must own the controlling interest (51% or greater) in the auction business and receive the financial gain from said business. If there are equal partners in the auction business, all partners must have a license issued by the Kentucky Board of Auctioneers. An individual with an auction house operator license cannot call the bids; but must use the services of a licensed auctioneer to call bids. If the owner of an auction house business is a Kentucky licensed principal auctioneer, an additional auction house operator license is not necessary.