Washington State Requirements for an Appraisal License
Appraisers objectively estimate the fair market value of real property for consumers, lenders, government agencies or any interested party willing to employ their services. In Washington, appraisers are governed by the five-member Real Estate Appraiser Commission, which recommends education and experience requirements for certification. Prospective appraisers may obtain certification as a general or residential appraiser in Washington or a license to work as a real estate appraiser.
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Trainee License
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Individuals interested in pursuing a career as an appraiser in Washington typically begin as a state-registered appraiser trainee. This requires 75 hours of coursework, including basic principles and procedures, prior to working under the supervision of a certified appraiser. A notarized application is required by the state detailing background and contact information.
State-Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser
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After training, an appraiser may apply to become a state-certified residential real estate appraiser, or RREA. Certification requirements include two years of supervised work experience, 200 classroom hours of approved appraisal courses and a passing score on an examination. In addition to the 200 hours of coursework, candidates must also possess either an associate degree or higher in any field or a minimum of 21 semester hours in required subjects.
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State-Certified General Real Estate Appraiser
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A general real estate appraiser, or GREA is certified by the state to assign values to any type of real property, including residential and commercial sites. Qualifications for a GREA certification include a bachelor's degree or higher in any field, or 30 semester hours of college coursework, 2.5 years of supervised work experience and 300 hours of approved appraisal courses. An examination is required for GREAs and certification must be renewed every two years.
State-Licensed Real Estate Appraiser
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A state-licensed real estate appraiser, or REA, must train for two years under the supervision of a certified appraiser. Coursework totaling 150 hours of approved courses in basic principles and procedures and residential appraisal techniques must also be completed prior to sitting for the licensing examination. A licensed appraiser is not required to hold an associate's or bachelor's degree as certified appraisers are in Washington.
Certification and Licensing Distinctions
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According to the Washington Administrative Code, RREAs, GREAs and REAs are each qualified to appraise different values and classifications of properties. GREAs are certified to appraise all types of real property. RREAs are certified to appraise residential properties with one to four units of any value or non-residential properties valued up to $250,000, as of 2010. REAs are licensed to appraise non-residential properties up to $250,000 and residential properties ranging up to $1 million in value.
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