How to Start a Career in Real Estate Appraisal in Illinois
A career in real estate appraisal might suit you if you have an interest in working in the real estate industry in some other capacity than as a sales agent. Becoming a real estate appraiser in the state of Illinois requires preparation and dedication. Illinois real estate appraisal professionals usually pass through three different stages in their careers: appraisal trainee, licensed appraiser and certified professional appraiser. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that real estate appraisers and assessors made a median salary of $47,370, as of May 2008.
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Instructions
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Complete your college education. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, many real estate appraisers and assessors earn a bachelor's degree before going on to careers as appraisers. If you have yet to complete your education, you can utilize your education to prepare for a real estate appraisal career by taking courses in business, real estate law, finance and economics. Courses in English and communications can also be helpful.
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Take basic courses in real estate appraisal through a state approved school. You can do this online if you wish. Online real estate schools like Real Estate Express offer you the opportunity to obtain an appraiser trainee license by completing a total of 75 hours of coursework. These courses introduce you to the basic aspects of real estate appraisal so that you can then begin working for a real estate broker as a trainee. These 75 hours consist of three topic areas: 30 hours of real estate appraisal principles, 30 hours of appraisal procedures and 15 hours of studies in Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. The USPAP portion of the course cannot be completed online; the others can. The 75-hour requirement applies to both online courses and classroom settings.
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Apply for a position with an appraisal company as an associate appraiser (trainee). According to the State of Illinois, no experience is required to begin working in this capacity. You must, however, complete the necessary 75 hours of coursework prior to beginning work.
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Complete a total of 2,000 hours of appraisal work as an associate appraiser. You must work for an agency for a minimum of 12 months before you can work as a Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser. This designation also requires a total of 150 hours of classroom education, 15 of which must be a National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice course.
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Complete your licensing exam and begin working as a real estate appraiser. Continue working to gain the necessary experience to be a "certified" appraiser in residential property and general property appraisal. Certified residential appraisers must complete 200 hours of coursework and training while gaining a minimum of 2,500 hours of experience in no less than 24 months. General appraisers must take 300 hours of coursework and have a minimum of 30 months and 3,000 hours of experience before sitting for the certification exam.
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