An apparatus and method determine a start-up of a sensorless motor. The apparatus includes an elapsed time determination unit, a motor velocity determination unit and an abnormal start-up determination unit. The elapsed time determination unit determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed after a start-up of the motor is initiated. The motor velocity determination unit determines whether a velocity of the motor exceeds a predetermined velocity value when the predetermined time has elapsed. The abnormal start-up determination unit determines that the motor was abnormally started up when the velocity of the motor does not exceed the predetermined value, and an amount of current flowing in the motor does not exceed a predetermined current value.