How to Become an Appraiser
This information is provided as a general overview of the requirements to become an appraiser. To ensure you meet all the requirements, please refer to the AQB Criteria and your state appraisal board.
| There are four components to obtaining a license: |
| Here are some helpful documents in navigating your way to obtaining an Appraisal License: |
Trainee
There is no college courses or degree required
Licensed
There is no college courses or degree required.
Certified Residential
Applicants for the Certified Residential license must have one of the following requirements:
*As of 2015, an Associate Degree or higher will be required.
Hold an Associate degree, or higher, from an accredited college, junior college, community college, or university.
or
Pass all of the following collegiate subject matter courses from an accredited college, junior college, community college, or university (21 semester credit hours or its equivalent for the certified residential appraiser):
- English Composition
- Principles of Economics (Micro or Macro)
- Finance
- Algebra, Geometry, or higher mathematics
- Statistics
- Computer Science
- Business or Real Estate Law
Certified General
Applicants for the Certified General license must have one of the following requirements:
*As of 2015, a Bachelor’s Degree or higher will be required.
Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
or
Successfully pass all of the following collegiate level subject matter courses from an accredited college, junior college, community college or university (30 semester credit hours or its equivalent for the certified general appraiser):
- English Composition
- Micro Economics
- Macro Economics
- Finance
- Algebra, Geometry, or higher mathematics
- Statistics
- Computer Science
- Business or Real Estate Law
- Two elective courses in accounting, geography, agricultural economics, business management, or real estate.
The ASFMRA offers Education for both the Trainee Level and the Certified General Level. ASFMRA course that correspond to each module are listed in italics under the module name.
The minimum hours set forth by the AQB are:
| Minimum Criteria for Appraisal Education Hours | ||
| Level | Hours | |
| Appraisal Trainee | 75 | hours |
| Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser | 150 | hours |
| Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser | 200 | hours |
| Certified General Real Property Appraiser | 300 | hours |
| Appraisal Trainee Minimum Required Education | ||
| Basic Appraisal Principles - ASFMRA Basic Appraisal Principles |
30 | hours |
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| Basic Appraisal Procedures - ASFMRA Basic Appraisal Procedures |
30 | hours |
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| 15 Hour National USPAP Course - ASFMRA 15 Hour National USPAP Course |
15 | hours |
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| TOTAL | 75 | hours |
| Certified General Appraiser Minimum Required Education | ||
| Appraisal Trainee Requirements | 75 | hours |
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| General Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use - ASFMRA General Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use |
30 | hours |
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| Statistics, Modeling and Finance | 15 | hours |
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| General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach - ASFMRA Sales Comparison Approach for General Appraisers |
30 | hours |
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| General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach - ASFMRA Cost Approach for General Appraisers |
30 | hours |
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| General Appraiser Income Approach - ASFMRA Income Approach for General Appraisers, Part 1 (this class is the first 30 hours, you must take an Income Part 2 for 30 hours from another provider such as the Appraisal Institute for fullfil this module) |
60 | hours |
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| General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies | 30 | hours |
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| Appraisal Subject Matter Electives - ASFMRA Integrated Approaches to Value |
30 | hours |
| (may include hours over minimum shown above in other modules) | ||
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| TOTAL | 300 | hours |
Please note these are the minimum requirements, states have the option of requiring more hours than is listed. Please contact your state appraisal board for their specific education requirements.
The AQB has set the following minimum requirements for experience. States can set higher requirements for experience. Please contact your state appraisal board for their required experience hours.
| License Level | Hours of Experience Required |
| Trainee | 0 – is subject to direct supervision by a supervising appraiser who is certified and in good standing |
| Licensed Residential | 2,000 hours in no fewer than 12 months |
| Certified Residential | 2,500 hours in no fewer than 24 months |
| Certified General | 3,000 hours in no fewer than 30 months |
You are required to take and pass the comprehensive examination which corresponds to the license level you are seeking. You will need to contact your state appraisal board to schedule your exam.