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Appraisal License and Certification

The quality education you need to get your appraisal license and become a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser.

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Take it to the next level

Appraisers have options when it comes to getting licensed or certified. Each level requires different skills, which enable you to appraise various types of properties — making the job more exciting! We offer package options and courses for whatever your next step may be.

Appraisal
Career Paths

Once you have your appraisal qualifying education and trainee hours under your belt, you’ll want to consider which license level is right for you. Each level requires you to develop new skills that allows you to appraise different types of properties.

Trainee

Trainee

Appraise properties that your supervising appraiser is permitted to appraise.

Licensed Appraiser

Licensed Appraiser

No college-level education requirements

Appraise simple residential properties with transaction limits.

Certified Residential

Certified Residential

College-level education requirements

Appraise complex residential properties with no transaction limit.

Certified General

Certified General

College-level education requirements

Also known as a commercial appraiser, you can appraise all residential and commercail proptery types.

Choose the career path that’s right for you

Trainee Appraiser

Education Requirement:

75 Hours

College Degree Requirement:

None

Experience Requirement:

None

Permitted Independent Work Type:

All work must be completed with Supervisor and appropriate for supervisor’s license level

Average Annual Income:

$53,218

Licensed Residential Appraiser

Education Requirement:

150 Hours

College Degree Requirement:

None

Experience Requirement:

1,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no fewer than 6 months

Permitted Independent Work Type:

Non-complex 1-4 residential units with a transactional value of less than $1 million (subject to individual state laws) Complex 1-4 residential units with a transaction value less than $250,000 (subject to individual state laws)

Average Annual Income:

$89,056

Certified Residential Appraiser

Education Requirement:

200 Hours

College Degree Requirement:

Bachelor’s degree in any field of study; Associate’s degree in a focused field of study, such as business, economics, or real estate; Successful completion of 30 college semester credit hours in specified topics

Experience Requirement:

1,500 hours in no fewer than 12 months

Permitted Independent Work Type:

1-4 residential units without regard to complexity or transaction value (subject to the Competency Provisions of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice)

Average Annual Income:

$101,598

Certified General Appraiser

Education Requirement:

300 Hours

College Degree Requirement:

Must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher

Experience Requirement:

3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no fewer than 18 months. A minimum of 1,500 hours of the required experience must be in non-residential appraisal work

Permitted Independent Work Type:

All types of real estate, from strip malls to airports

Average Annual Income:

$145,094

This is general information and varies from state to state. Check your state licensing requirements.
Income averages from 2022-2023 Salary Guide

Why upgrade your license

If you’re growing tired of appraising simple properties or are looking for more complex assignments with more income potential, upgrading your license is a good move. An upgrade can give you a much-needed advantage in the local market in addition to offering greater control over your fees and more stability in your work.

Earn more income

On average, certified general appraisers make 38% more than residential appraisers.

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Enjoy more complex assignments

Add variety to your day with different types of properties and transaction limits.

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Diversify your portfolio

Work with new clients, gain more control over fees and enjoy stability in your work.

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How to upgrade your appraisal license

Depending on your state and the appraisal license level you wish to attain, the exact steps to upgrading will vary slightly. However, these are the general guidelines you’ll need to follow to meet the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) criteria. Note that state appraiser regulatory agencies may set requirements that are greater, or more stringent than AQB criteria. Be sure to check your state’s specific licensing requirements to know exactly what you need to do.

Work for a minimum period of 12 months as an appraiser

Accumulate minimum 1,000 experience hours, depending which level you are working towards

Meet the required AQB-approved and any college degree education requirements if required

Pass the state exam and apply for your upgraded license

Select a state and view detailed steps to upgrade your license

Did you know?

In many states, your credit toward becoming a certified general appraiser counts toward your CE credits.

How to navigate your courses

Have a question?

Connect with an enrollment advisor

What McKissock users say

Because I work on a variety of assignments, McKissock’s new class material has been very helpful to me. No one wants to take the same course material every two years.

Laura D.

Appraisal, Pennsylvania

McKissock has been my #1 choice in education for over seven years. They also provided the complete educational package I needed to become a Pennsylvania Licensed Salesperson. I love the variety of course options, competitive pricing, and first-class customer service. I speak with a real, live person any time I call!

Heather S.

Appraisal, Pennsylvania

Because I work on a variety of assignments, McKissock’s new class material has been very helpful to me. No one wants to take the same course material every two years.

Elizabeth S.

Appraisal, Colorado

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Take the first step to
becoming a property appraiser.

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Interested in
continuing education?

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State-by-state upgrade education options

Select your state to view our extensive library of appraisal upgrade education courses. Each course helps you develop new skills that allow appraisal of different types of properties.

Check your state’s continuing education requirements

Stay up-to-date and grow your skills.

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