How to Become a California Real Estate Appraiser
Real estate appraisers estimate the value of real property in contemplation of events such as sales, taxation, transfer and development. Generally, real estate appraisers work within a specific location to develop a knowledge of the real estate market and value of various types of property. You must be at least 18 years of age to be a licensed real estate appraiser in California. You must also obtain a real estate appraiser's license.
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Instructions
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Complete the necessary educational requirements. For a trainee license, you must obtain 150 hours of education, including a 15-hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course. A certified residential license requires 200 hours and an Associate's degree or the equivalent. A certified general license requires 300 hours and a Bachelor's degree or equivalent. It is possible to obtain the minimum education for each class, then upgrade to the next license class upon education completion. See the Licensing Requirements handbook for course specifications.
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Obtain the necessary appraisal work experience. Becoming a trainee licensee does not require any work experience. Upgrading to a residential licensee requires 2,000 hours of work experience over no less than 12 months. Upgrading to a certified residential licensee requires an additional 500 hours over no less than two and a half years. Finally, a certified general appraiser requires an additional 500 hours over two and a half years, for a total of 3,000 hours, with at least 1,500 hours being appraisal of non-residential property.
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Fill out the required initial application, basic education attachment, log of appraisal experience, experience log summary, consent to service of process and statement of citizenship. Include the necessary fees. Fees vary by license level, but range from $150 to $435, as of 2010. Take and pass the Office of Real Estate Appraiser's licensing examination for the level of license you are applying.
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Tips & Warnings
A trainee licensee can only appraise property under the supervision of a licensed appraiser.
A residential licensee may appraise any one- to four-family, non-complex residential property valued as high as $1 million, and non-residential property no greater than $250,000 in value.
A certified residential licensee may appraise any one- to four-family residential property, regardless of complexity, of any value.
A certified general licensee may appraise any property of any value.
