To become a real estate appraiser, you generally need to follow these key steps, which include education, training, and licensing requirements set by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) and state regulations:
Steps to Become a Real Estate Appraiser
1. Meet Basic Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent (a college degree is not initially required but is needed for higher appraiser certifications)
2. Complete Required Education
- Complete a minimum of 75 hours of qualifying appraisal education to become a trainee appraiser. This includes courses such as Basic Appraisal Principles, Basic Appraisal Procedures, and the 15-hour National USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) course
- For higher license levels, additional education is required:
- Licensed Residential Appraiser: 150 hours of education.
- Certified Residential Appraiser: 200 hours of education plus a bachelor's degree or an associate degree in a related field or 30 college semester credit hours in specific subjects.
- Certified General Appraiser: 300 hours of education plus a bachelor's degree or higher in any field
3. Gain Experience
- Work under a certified supervisory appraiser as a trainee to gain practical experience.
- Experience requirements vary by license level:
- Licensed Residential Appraiser: 1,000 hours of appraisal experience over at least 6 months.
- Certified Residential Appraiser: 1,500 hours over at least 12 months.
- Certified General Appraiser: 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, with at least 1,500 hours in non-residential appraisal work
4. Obtain a Trainee License
- After completing the initial education and securing a supervisory appraiser, apply for a trainee license with your state appraisal board.
- This process typically involves submitting an application, fees, fingerprints, and passing a background check
5. Pass Licensing Exams
- After fulfilling education and experience requirements, pass the national and state licensing exams for the desired appraiser classification (Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, or Certified General)
6. Maintain Your License
- Complete continuing education courses as required by your state to maintain your license and stay updated on appraisal standards and regulations.
Summary of Education and Experience Requirements by License Level
License Level| Education Hours| College Degree Requirement| Experience Hours
(Minimum)
---|---|---|---
Trainee Appraiser| 75| None| None
Licensed Residential| 150| None| 1,000 hours over 6 months
Certified Residential| 200| Bachelor's degree, Associate degree in related
field, or 30 college credit hours| 1,500 hours over 12 months
Certified General| 300| Bachelor's degree or higher (any field)| 3,000 hours
over 18 months (1,500 hours non-residential)
Additional Notes
- Requirements vary by state, so check your state's appraisal board for specific rules and additional courses or experience needed
- The career offers varying income levels depending on license type and experience, with certified general appraisers earning the highest salaries (around $130,000 annually on average)
By following these steps—completing education, gaining supervised experience, passing exams, and obtaining licensure—you can become a licensed real estate appraiser.
