How to Become a Home Appraiser in Canada

Becoming a home appraiser in Canada requires a combination of education and experience.

Becoming a home appraiser in Canada involves acquiring a combination of academic qualifications, training and on-the -ob experience. There are a number of different designations for real estate appraisers to include commercial, agricultural and residential appraisers. Home appraisers can receive designations such as DAR (Designated Appraiser Residential), DAC (residential appraiser with a specialty in agriculture) or CRA (Canadian Residential Appraiser). Each designation is received from a specific professional appraisal association, either the Canadian National Association of Real Estate Appraisers or the Appraisal Institute of Canada.

Instructions

Joining the Appraisal Institute of Canada

1. Research the two professional appraisal organizations, the Appraisal Institute of Canada (AIC) and the Canadian National Association of Real Estate Appraisers (CNAREA) to see which you would prefer to join. It is important to join a professional valuation association as a home appraiser, since this will provide you with a high level of professionalism as well as necessary insurance. Both organizations have professional requirements that must be met prior to joining. AIC requires that you have an undergraduate degree, while CNAREA does not have that requirement.

2. Complete an undergraduate degree in business or with a business focus. Be certain to attend an accredited institution.

3. Check with the AIC to determine which courses are necessary to complete prior to becoming a member. Complete the necessary coursework.

4. Check with the AIC to determine which courses are necessary to complete prior to becoming a member. Submit the necessary paperwork and fees to join AIC as a candidate member.

5. Join an appraisal firm as a candidate member of AIC. Once you are employed with an appraisal company, you have several choices to proceed to becoming a full member. These choices include coursework as designated by AIC or working with a mentor for at least two years.

6. Study and pass both written and oral exams as the final step to becoming a designated member of the AIC.

Joining the Canadian National Association of Real Estate Appraisers

1. Complete necessary coursework to join CNAREA. Check with CNAREA for class requirements, schedules and fees.

2. Join CNAREA as a candidate member by completing the necessary paperwork and paying the fee.

3. Get a job with an appraisal firm that will agree to have someone within the firm become the co-signer of your work.

4. Work with the appraisal firm to decide if you will meet CNAREA requirements through education or experience. The current experience requirements are to be working in the field for not less than 3,000 hours for a minimum of two years. The education requirements can be up to 170 hours of coursework to receive the DAR designation.

Tips & Warnings

• Verify what is necessary for membership within the organization you wish to join. Sometimes changes are made to the education or experience requirements necessary to become a member.

References

• Canadian National Association of Real Estate Appraisers
• Appraisal Institute of Canada
• Becoming a Real Estate Appraiser in Canada