How to Become an Appraiser
by John Manfred
Thinking about becoming an appraiser or upgrading your appraiser license? There have been a lot of changes recently to the process of becoming an appraiser.
If you do not already hold a license, your first step is to become an assistant. To become a licensed assistant, you do not need any college education or experience, but you will need to take 79 hours of approved education. This can be done in the classroom or online. The courses you will take are R5 - Basic Appraisal Principles, R6 - Basic Appraisal Procedures, 15-Hour Equivalent USPAP Course, and National Appraising for the Supervisor and Trainee.
Once you have your assistant license and find a supervisor to work with, you can start documenting your experience hours and continue your education to upgrade your license. It is important to note that the type of experience hours you can earn depends on what type of license your supervisor holds.
There are three types of license that you can upgrade to: Residential Appraiser, Certified Residential, and Certified General. The license type you choose will determine the type and values of properties your are licensed to work with. College degrees are required for the Certified Residential and General Appraiser licenses. Additional education, federal exams, and additional experience hours are required with these licenses.
Here is an overview of the types of licenses and requirements:
Assistant
Property Type and Value: Depends on credentials of supervisor
College Education: None
Training Hours: 79 hours- must be completed within five year period prior to the date of application
Experience Hours: None
Exam: None. Applicant is not eligible to take the exam for the category in which education has been completed until they meet the experience requirement for that category.
Licensed Residential
Property Type and Value: Non-complex 1-4 family residential units valued under $1,000,000 or complex 1-4 family units valued under $250,000
College Education: None
Training Hours: 150
Experience Hours: 1,000 in no less than 24 months
Exam: National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination. Exam results are valid for 24 months.
Certified Residential
Property Type and Value: 1-4 residential units at any value or complexity. Cannot appraise subdivisions where a development analysis is necessary.
College Education: Bachelors (Additional Qualifications)
Training Hours: 200 hours
Education: 200 hours
Experience Hours: 1,500 in no less than 24 months
Exam: National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination. Exam results are valid for 24 months.
Certified General
Property Type and Value: All types of properties at any value
College Education: Bachelors or higher in any field
Training Hours: 300
Experience Hours: 3000 in no less than 24 months
Exam: Yes. Exam results are valid for 24 months.
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