Real Estate Appraiser School: How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser

A appraiser is one who develops and reports an opinion of value on a specific type of property. Appraisers may opt to specialize in various disciplines such as:

Real Property appraisal, which is the valuation of real estate. Real Property appraisers (AKA real estate appraisers) can choose specialties to practice within such as residential, commercial and agricultural. Personal Property appraisal, which encompasses all types of personal property such as fine and decorative arts, antiques, gems and jewelry and machinery and equipment. Business Valuation which is the valuing of businesses including all tangible and intangible assets ranging from the value of the equipment to the value of the business name or logo. Mass Appraisal which encompasses techniques that are used when valuing multiple types of real property or personal property using general recognized formulas.

While most appraisers choose to specialize in just one area of practice, many appraisers practice in more than one discipline. Appraiser licensing varies by the kind of appraisal being done. Real estate appraisers are certified through state institutions, with specific requirements for licensing. The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) of The Appraisal Foundation recommends the following minimum criteria for state licensed/certified real property/real estate appraisers.

For specific questions about the requirements , you will need to contact the state appraisal board. Click on the following link to get state specific information: Appraisal Foundation State Directory

1. Appraiser Assistant License/Trainee Real Property Appraiser – This classification of real estate appraiser requires the trainee to work under the direct supervision of a certified or licensed real property appraiser. The scope of practice for the appraiser trainee classification is the appraisal of those properties, which the supervising appraiser is permitted to appraise.

1.1 The "Appraiser Assistant License/Trainee Real Property Appraiser" – no experience required. Applicant must provide proof of 150 classroom hours real estate appraisal schooling completed during last ten years, including 15 hours of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice during last two years. Trainee's appraisal experience must be under the direct supervision of a Licensed or Certified Real Property appraiser. If the Trainee plans to use these experience points as part of the experience needed for appraiser licensing, the work must be included in the Trainee's assignment log, and the appraisal report must be signed by the supervising appraiser.

2. Certified Residential (NYS Certified Residential real estate Appraiser)-able to appraise residential property of 1-4 units, without regard to transaction value or complexity:

Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser – This classification refers to those individuals licensed by the Board as being qualified to perform federally-related residential real estate appraisals on 1 to 4 unit residential properties without regard to the complexity or dollar amount. These appraisers are also permitted to appraise non-residential properties having a transaction value of $250,000 or less. The Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser is authorized to give a “certified appraisal” on a federally-related transaction in accordance with FIRREA requirements.

2.1 The "Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser" – Applicant must have been a real estate appraiser in two of the last five calendar years, with a minimum of 250 points of actual appraisal experience, which represents approximately 2500 hours. Applicant must provide proof of satisfactory completion of at least 200 in-class hours appraisal-related courses taken during last ten years, that includes a 15-hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice course taken during the last two years.

3.Certified General (NYS Certified General real estate Appraiser)-able to appraise all types of real property:

Certified General Real Property Appraiser – This classification shall consist of those persons certified by the Board as qualified to perform appraisals on all types of real estate, regardless of complexity or transaction value. This classification allows the appraiser to give a “certified appraisal” on a federally-related transaction in accordance with FIRREA requirements. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

The Real Estate Appraiser Course is offered every day, including nights and weekends, at four convenient locations. You can mix and match locations – it's not necessary to take them all in one place. We also offer the course online.

Manhattan Branch 132 West 36th, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10018 *Use entrance at 139 West 35th St. on nights and weekends (Between 7th and Broadway, North Side of Macy's) Phone: (212) 967-7508 Directions		Syosset, Long Island Branch Marriott Fairfield Inn 24 Oak Drive at Jericho Turnpike Syosset, New York Phone: (212) 967-7508 Directions Class Information
Queens Branch  Adria Conference Center   Northern Blvd. & 221st Street  Bayside, New York Phone: (212) 967-7508 Map		Westchester County Branch 2 Ogden Ave. Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. 10567 (North on Taconic Parkway to Rt. 202 left on Rt. 202 west 5 miles to Valley View Realty. Building on right corner Rt. 202 and Ogden Ave. 2 blocks east of Hudson Valley Hospital) NOTE: to speak with instructor Richard Delorenzo or get directions please call him at 914-737-1656 Map