How to Become a Residential Real Estate Appraiser

The exact credentials required to become a residential real estate appraiser vary from state to state, though the varying levels of certification will always require a combination of course work and practical experience. State licensing boards also require candidates to pass a written examination before they'll be granted officially sanctioned permission to work as a residential real estate appraiser.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Completion of professional real estate appraisal credentials

1. Become an official real estate appraisal trainee by enrolling in a course of study that leads to the 75-hour minimum required by the Appraiser Qualifications Board. Keep in mind that your state may have different, often higher course hour minimums in place before it recognizes your trainee status.
2. Find a supervising appraiser with whom you can complete your internship hours as you move towards more advanced professional designations. Your supervising appraiser must be either a certified residential or certified general appraiser who is currently in good standing with his state's licensing board.
3. Move towards becoming a licensed residential appraiser, which is the next designation up from trainee. Though, again, the specific requirements vary from state to state, this generally requires a minimum of 90 to 150 additional hours of course work as well as 2,000 hours of work experience under a supervising appraiser. The 2,000 hours of work experience must also be obtained within a single 12-month period.
4. Pass your state board's examination to become licensed after completing the required course work and your 2,000 hours of work experience.
5. Become a certified residential or certified general real estate appraiser to reach the zenith of professional standards in the real estate appraisal industry. Certified residential appraisers require 200 hours of course work and 2,500 hours of experience in a 24-month period. Certified general appraisers complete 300 hours of course work and 3,000 hours of practical experience in 30 months or less. Both designations also require candidates to pass state licensing exams.

Tips & Warnings

• Inquire directly with the real estate licensing board of the state you live in for specific information about professional requirements. The American Society of Appraisers provides direct links to each individual state's licensing board (see Resources below).
• You'll enjoy the best career prospects by attaining certified, rather than just licensed, status as a real estate appraiser.
• Practicing real estate appraising without a state-endorsed license can prevent you from ever attaining full, legal licensure. Other penalties, including fines, may also apply.