Do real estate appraisers have to be licensed?

Yes, for most lending work. Federal law requires appraisers of real estate to hold a state license or certification when working on federally related transactions, such as appraisals for loans made by federally insured banks and financial institutions. Every state licenses or certifies appraisers, and only state-licensed or certified appraisers listed on the National Registry are authorized under federal law to perform these appraisals. There is no federal requirement for personal property appraisers or assessors, though some states require assessor certification.

Yes. Connecticut law prohibits anyone from acting as a real estate appraiser or provisional appraiser without the appropriate credential from the state commission, and federal law requires a state license or certification for appraisals used in federally related transactions, such as loans from federally insured banks. Appraising without a license carries a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months of imprisonment, and one year of ineligibility to apply for licensure.

Yes. DC law defines a "real estate appraiser" as any person who renders or offers to render professional services estimating the value of real property, and the DC Board of Real Estate Appraisers issues credentials at four levels: Appraiser Trainee, Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General. Federal Title XI law requires state certification or licensure for federally related transactions. An unlicensed individual may assist only under the direct supervision of a licensed or certified appraiser, who must approve and sign the final appraisal.

For federally related transactions, yes. Under 12 U.S.C. 3351, an individual who is not a state certified or licensed appraiser may assist in preparing an appraisal only under the direct supervision of a licensed or certified appraiser, with the final document approved and signed by a certified or licensed individual. Florida registers trainees and certifies appraisers at the Certified Residential and Certified General levels through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, and it does not issue a separate licensed-residential credential.

Yes. Federal law requires a state license or certification for appraisers working on federally related transactions, such as appraisals for loans made by federally insured banks and financial institutions. In Idaho, you must be licensed or certified before any practice or solicitation of real estate appraising, under Idaho Code Sections 54-4103 and 54-4119. An unlicensed assistant may assist only under the direct supervision of a licensed or certified appraiser, who must approve and sign the final report.

Yes. Maine is a mandatory license state: anyone appraising property located in Maine must hold a Maine appraiser license, and even reviewing an appraisal of Maine property while opining a value conclusion requires a license. For federally related transactions, only the three federally recognized classifications, State Licensed, Certified Residential, and Certified General, may appraise independently; trainees may not.

Yes. Appraisals for federally related transactions, such as federally backed mortgages, must be performed by state-credentialed appraisers. Montana's Board of Real Estate Appraisers issues Trainee, Licensed, Certified Residential, and Certified General credentials, and only appraisers who meet federal criteria appear on the Appraisal Subcommittee's National Registry. A trainee credential does not qualify the holder to appraise property independently for federally related transactions.

Yes. Under Title XI, appraisals for federally related transactions must be performed by state-licensed or state-certified appraisers, and Nebraska enforces licensing through the Nebraska Real Property Appraiser Board. Licensed and certified appraisers performing such work must also follow USPAP, the profession's ethical and performance standards. State law defines the specifics of licensure, and requirements vary by state.

Yes. It is illegal in New Mexico to appraise real estate without a license issued by the Real Estate Appraiser Board, which licenses and regulates appraisers and appraisal management companies. Non-resident licensed or certified appraisers may work in the state only under a temporary practice permit issued for a specific assignment, which requires verification of good standing and a $200 fee.

Yes. In North Dakota, acting as an appraiser without a permit is a class A misdemeanor, and an out-of-state appraiser practicing in the state without a temporary or reciprocal permit is also guilty of a class A misdemeanor. The North Dakota Real Estate Appraiser Qualifications and Ethics Board issues apprentice, licensed, certified residential, and certified general permits. Appraisals for federally related transactions further require a state license or certification listed on the ASC Appraiser Registry.

Yes. In South Dakota, anyone who performs a real estate appraisal or holds themself out as an appraiser must be certified, licensed, or registered by the Department of Labor and Regulation, unless exempt. Federal law also requires state licensure or certification for appraisals in federally related transactions. Exemptions include real estate brokers appraising within the scope of their broker license and banks and savings and loan associations acting within their corporate powers.

Yes. To appraise property in a federally related transaction, an appraiser must hold a state credential and appear on the Appraisal Subcommittee's National Registry. Vermont issues those credentials through the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), and trainees must also register with OPR before working under a supervising certified appraiser. The federally recognized credentials are State Licensed, Certified Residential, and Certified General, though Vermont no longer issues the Licensed credential to new applicants.

Yes. In West Virginia, unlicensed appraisal practice is a misdemeanor punishable by a $500-$1,000 fine plus one year of license ineligibility, and acting as a certified appraiser without certification carries up to a $2,500 fine and/or up to one year in jail (W. Va. Code 30-38-15). Federal rules also require state licensed or certified appraisers for federally related transactions, and only those credentialed appraisers appear on the Appraisal Subcommittee's Appraiser Registry.