Frequently Asked Questions
and General Information

Glossary of Acrynyms Used

Questions on Training:

• Why must I take formal classes?
• What are the formal education requirements?
• How do I find classes that provide the required education?
• What kind(s) of credit is given for these classes?

Questions on Becoming Licensed:

• What are the requirements for becoming a licensed real estate appraiser?
• How can I gain acceptable experience as an unlicensed appraiser?
• How do I find a supervising appraiser?
• What will help in my search?
• What are some of the local appriaser organizations?

1. Why must I take formal classes?

There are four levels of real estate appraiser licensing. All require formal education classes and a specified number of work hours in order to obtain the license. In addition, once granted, a license may be renewed for a maximum of 2 years at a time by paying the appropriate fees and by providing proof of having met continuing education requirements.

2. What are the formal education requirements?

Trainee (AT) - A minimum of 150 hours of appraisal related education covering the specific topics required by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB), with at least 15 hours on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Residential License (AL) - A minimum of 90 hours of appraisal related education covering the specific topics required by AQB, with at least 15 hours on USPAP.

Certified Residential (AR) - A minimum of 120 hours of appraisal related education covering the specific topics required by AQB, with at least 15 hours on USPAP.

General (AG) - A minimum of 180 hours of appraisal related education covering the specific topics required by AQB, with at least 15 hours on USPAP.

For license renewals, you must have 14 hours of approved continuing education for each calendar year in which the license is valid for six months or more. The renewed license is valid for a maximum of two years.

3. How do I find classes that provide the required education?

Classes may be taken via correspondence, internet, video, computer study, etc., or in person. Classroom education courses and seminars are physically attended by the students. They are presented "live" by an instructor who meets OREA requirements, and are presented in a classroom setting. Some community colleges provide appropriate classes, as do individual providers. Check varied schools, and course offerings, for your choice. (Others in the Sacramento area are Anthony Schools in Davis and Jump Start in El Dorado Hills.) To qualify as Basic Education the class must be 15 hours or more in length and include a required test. One 15-hour course must be the National USPAP course taught by nationally-certified USPAP instructor.

4. What kind(s) of credit is given for these classes?

Courses can be considered either for Basic Education (BE) or for Continuing Education (CE). Basic Education courses are taken to qualify for licensure. They may also be used for continuing education if taken within the CE cycle and were not used as basic education for an Upgrade Application. Continuing education courses are used to renew an existing license and must be taken within a licensee's CE Cycle.

Appraiser Training teaches classes that may be used for either BE or CE. BE classes are generally 15 hours in length and include a written test; most of these courses may be taken for 14 hours of CE credit without the written test. Most courses in our catalog indicate the level(s) for which the class is appropriate.

On successfully completing each class, a certificate with course provider information, course identification, and hours of education should be provided.

5. What are the requirements for becoming a licensed real estate appraiser?

For a Trainee license, in addition to the required education, you must work under the technical supervision of a licensed appraiser. You may assist on any appraisal within the scope of the practice of the supervising appraiser.

For a Residential license, in addition to the required education, you must have a minimum of 2,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience gained as a trainee (described above).

All of the requirements are spelled out on the OREA web site in the Handbook for Appraisers.

6. How can I gain acceptable experience as an unlicensed appraiser?

Acceptable experience may be accumulated as an unlicensed appraiser in any of the following ways:

• By providing "significant professional assistance" to another appraiser and having the duties you performed identified in the report. If at least 75% of the professional appraisal work is performed by the unlicensed person and the appraisal conforms to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), this experience would qualify for up to a maximum of 400 hours of credit;
• By performing the entire appraisal process under the direct supervision of a California licensed appraiser. The final conclusion to value is made by and the appraisal is signed by the licensed appraiser, with you and the duties you performed identified in the report. If the unlicensed person performs all appraisal methods customarily used for a particular property type and the appraisal conforms to USPAP, this experience would qualify with an unlimited number of hours; and
• By the unlicensed person completing appraisals him or herself in non-federally related transactions. In California , any appraisal completed for a federally related transaction requires a licensed appraiser. However, work performed for attorneys, private individuals, etc., are generally not federally related transactions and can be performed by anyone. If the appraisal conforms to USPAP, this experience would qualify with an unlimited number of hours.

More specific information should be obtained from the Handbook for Appraisers, from the OREA web site.

7. How do I find a supervising appraiser?

The Training Appraiser, or Supervising Appraiser, must be willing to provide the trainee appraiser (or professional assistant) with the opportunity to get started. Training Appraisers vary in quality and ability to help the new appraiser. A training appraiser may be more concerned on getting out completed appraisals than taking adequate time to properly train, or supervise, the new appraiser.

You may wish to consider contacting some of the professional appraisal organizations (Appraisal Institute, American Society of Appraisers, etc.) in your area to see if any of their members are looking for trainee appraisers. If not, ask to get on their newsletter mailing list because opportunities for trainees may arise in the future.

You may consider contacting the County Assessor 's office to see if there are any opportunities there.

You may also find appraisers by checking OREA's Find An Appraiser page. You may perform a search of licensees by license level, in a specific city or by zip codes if you prefer.

8. What will help in my search?

As a new appraiser you should create a resume that supports your ability to provide benefits to the potential trainer in return for them taking on the responsibility for training you. The resume should be your best effort to convince the potential training appraiser that you are qualified to do useful work. You should focus on your education, skills, courses taken and how you can benefit the potential training appraiser. Equipment, programs, and classes on appraising to job skills are important.

My personal recommendation is that you also include a quality photograph in your resume. Putting a face to the paper makes the process more personal.

9. What are some of the local appriaser organizations?

The National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (NAIFA), a national organization, can be contacted through Barry Cleverdon or Trudy Hartman , or check their web site for more information. The local chapter currently holds meetings in even-numbered months.

The Tri-County Appraisers Forum (TCAF) is a local meeting group that meets on the second Friday of the month at 9:00am at Denny's in Orangevale CA . This is a group of appraisers who meet to discuss issues. For more information, contact reaaappraiser@earthlink.net

The Appraisal Institute (AI) also has local chapter. Their national web site is www.appraisalinstitute.org.

Glossary

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AG - General Appraiser (commercial, agricultural)

AI - Appraisal Institute, a professional organization

AL - Licensed Appraiser

AQB - Appraiser Qualifications Board

AR - Certified Residential Appraiser

AT- Appraiser Trainee

CREA - Certified Real Estate Appraiser (designation)

CRP - Certified Relocation Professional

FNMA - (aka “Fannie Mae”) the nation's largest investor in home mortgages. Their web site is http://www.fanniemae.com. Because they purchase one in five mortgages in the US they have specific requirements that must be met.

IFA - Independent Fee Appraiser (designation)

MLS - Multiple Listing Service

NAIFA - National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers, a professional organization. Their web site is www.naifa.com

OREA - Office of Real Estate Appraisers, the California state agency that sets licensing requirements and issues Appraiser licenses. Their web site is www.orea.ca.gov .

RAA - Residential Accredited Appriaser (designation)

REAA - Real Estate Appraiser Association. The local chapter meets on the second Tuesday of the month. Check their web site at www.reaaca.org for details.

SRIP - Small Residential Income Property

TCAF -Tri-County Appraisers Forum, a local group that meets on the second Friday of the month at 9:00am at Denny's in Orangevale CA . For more information, contact reaaappraiser@earthlink.net

USPAP - Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice

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