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How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser

The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) sets national course requirements, or the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria, that appraisers must meet. However, the necessary training to earn a real estate appraisal license varies by state. Aspiring real estate appraisers must first become an appraiser trainee. Appraiser trainees are under direct supervision by a certified appraiser and are required by the AQB to take the following courses:

  • Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours)
  • Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
  • National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (15 hours)

Each U.S. state or territory has a State Appraiser Regulatory Agency that is responsible for certifying and licensing real estate appraisers and supervising their appraisal-related activities, as required by federal law. Your state may require additional coursework, so it’s important that you consult with your state's appraiser regulatory agency. A list of state contact information can be found on The Appraisal Foundation’s State Appraiser Regulatory Agencies page.

Common Appraisal Myths:

The money put into a property translates dollar-for-dollar into a higher appraisal (Fact: The cost to put into a property improvement project may very well add value to a property; however, the value of any improvements are based on what the market is willing to pay for them, and may not necessarily correlate to the cost. Not all renovations positively impact property values.)

-Appraisers set the value of a property (Fact: Appraisers do not set the value of a property, nor do they confirm a property’s sale price. Their role is to produce a credible opinion of value which reflects the current market)

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