How do I become a certified appraiser?

Complete qualifying education through a state-approved provider, gain qualifying experience, and pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination for your target level, then apply through your state appraiser regulatory agency. Certified Residential requires 200 education hours, a college-level option, and 1,500 experience hours in no fewer than 12 months; Certified General requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours in no fewer than 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Experience can come from a supervisory appraiser, a practicum course, or PAREA.

Alabama offers two certified classifications. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, and a college-level option such as a Bachelor's degree in any field; Licensed appraisers of at least 5 years with a clean disciplinary record are exempt from the college requirement. Certified General requires 300 hours plus a Bachelor's degree and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Each path ends with a PSI exam and a $275 application fee.

You can start as a registered trainee by documenting 83 classroom hours of qualifying education and securing a supervisory appraiser who has been Alaska state-certified for at least three years. Then you complete the requirements for your chosen credential: Certified Residential needs 200 classroom hours, a qualifying college option, and 1,500 experience hours over at least 12 months, while Certified General needs 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours over at least 18 months. You must pass the certification exam within 24 months of board approval; fees total $580.

In Arizona, you can become a Certified Residential or Certified General appraiser. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, college-level education (with alternatives such as an associate's degree or 30 semester hours of specified credit), and 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months. Certified General requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours in no fewer than 18 months, including at least 1,500 non-residential hours. Both paths end with the state exam, a $400 application fee, and an $80 National Registry fee.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser, complete at least 200 hours of qualifying education, meet the college-level requirement (a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, 30 semester hours of specified courses, or five years as a Licensed Residential appraiser with no disciplinary action), and log 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months. Then file with the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, pay the $1,110 fee, and pass the national exam after receiving your eligibility letter. California's Laws and Regulations and Cultural Competency courses are also required.

To become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Colorado, you complete 200 hours of qualifying education, log 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, and meet one of six college options, such as a bachelor's degree in any field or a related associate degree. You then submit fingerprints, apply to the Division of Real Estate, and pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination. The Certified General level requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours.

First become a Connecticut Provisional Appraiser, which requires a sponsor and approved qualifying education, including the supervisor/provisional education course that both you and your sponsor must complete. You then upgrade to Certified Residential or Certified General by meeting the AQB 2026 criteria, documenting supervised experience in signed logs with hours tallied, and passing the national certification exam. Your upgrade application must include all pre-licensing course certificates, the signed logs, and proof of required college completion.

To become a certified real property appraiser in Delaware, you apply to the Council on Real Estate Appraisers by examination. Certified Residential requires 200 qualifying education hours, an Associate degree or 21 college semester hours in specified coursework, and 1,500 experience hours over at least 12 months. Certified General requires the highest qualifying education total, a Bachelor's degree or 30 semester hours, and 3,000 hours over at least 18 months. You must also clear Delaware and FBI background checks, apply in DELPROS, and pass the Pearson VUE exam after Council approval.

In Washington, DC, you earn a Certified Residential or Certified General credential from the Board of Real Estate Appraisers by passing the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months, and college-level education. Certified General requires 300 hours, 3,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 18 months (at least 1,500 non-residential), and a Bachelor's degree. You file the application online, and the Board notifies you of approval or deficiency within 72 hours.

You become a certified appraiser in Hawaii by registering as a trainee, gaining supervised experience, and passing the Pearson VUE exam with a scaled score of 75. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, college-level education, and 1,500 experience hours in no fewer than 12 months. Certified General requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3,000 hours in no fewer than 18 months, including at least 1,500 nonresidential hours.

In Idaho, you register as an appraiser trainee, then complete qualifying education, qualifying experience, and the national exam for the credential you want. For Certified Residential, the state requires a bachelor's degree or one of several alternatives, 50 classroom hours beyond the Licensed Residential curriculum, and 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months. You apply to the Idaho Real Estate Appraiser Board with a $200 application fee plus a $100 license fee, and the Board reviews two work samples from your experience log.

Pick a level: Certified Residential or Certified General. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 hours of experience over no fewer than 12 months, and college-level education or a listed alternative. Certified General requires a bachelor's degree, 300 hours of qualifying education, and 3,000 hours over no fewer than 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Both levels require IDFPR approval, the $62 PSI exam, a fingerprint background check taken within 60 days of applying, and the $315 application fee.

In Indiana, you start as a Trainee: complete qualifying education, pass the state trainee exam, and work under a certified supervisor. To become Certified Residential, you need 200 hours of qualifying education, 2,500 logged experience hours in no fewer than 24 months, and a bachelor's degree or approved alternative. For Certified General, you need 300 hours, 3,000 experience hours in no fewer than 30 months, and a bachelor's degree.

You first register as an associate real estate appraiser and gain experience under a certified supervisor, then choose a level. Certified residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 experience hours over at least 12 months, and college-level education; certified general requires 300 hours, 3,000 experience hours over at least 18 months (a minimum of 1,500 general), and a bachelor's degree. You apply through the board's online system and submit a work product review of three reports with your application to sit for the exam.

To become a certified appraiser in Kansas, complete the qualifying education and experience for your chosen level, pass the national exam, and apply to the Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board. Certified residential requires 200 classroom hours plus college-level education and 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months. Certified general requires 300 hours plus a bachelor's degree and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, including at least 1,500 nonresidential hours.

You must first hold the Associate Real Property Appraiser credential, then choose the Certified Residential or Certified General track. Certified Residential requires 1,500 experience hours in no less than 12 months, 200 qualifying education hours, and a college credential. Certified General requires 3,000 hours in no less than 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours, 300 qualifying education hours, and a bachelor's degree. Then submit your experience log, pass the board's inspection of 2 or 4 sample reports, pass the exam, and pay the $240 upgrade fee.

Louisiana has two certified levels. Certified Residential requires 200 creditable class hours, 1,500 hours of experience over no fewer than 12 months, college-level education (with alternatives such as 30 semester hours of college courses, CLEP exams, or 5 years as a Licensed Residential appraiser in good standing), and the AQB-approved exam. Certified General requires 300 class hours, 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months including 1,500 non-residential hours, a Bachelor's degree, and its exam. Both applications carry a $245 fee.

First complete your qualifying education: 200 hours for certified residential or 300 hours for certified general. Then build your supervised experience, 1,500 hours over at least 12 months for certified residential, or 3,000 hours over at least 18 months including 1,500 non-residential hours for certified general. Both levels require a bachelor's degree, though certified residential accepts six degree-equivalency options, and both require passing the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination, which Pearson VUE administers after the Board approves your appraisal samples.

Maryland's certified credentials are Certified Residential and Certified General. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of Commission-approved courses, a college-level education option, and at least 1,500 hours of appraisal experience over 12 months (or PAREA), plus a passed exam. Certified General requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, with at least 1,500 hours in non-residential work. Each three-year credential costs $250 plus the $120 National Registry fee.

To become a certified appraiser in Massachusetts, complete the qualifying education (200 hours for Certified Residential, 300 for Certified General), the experience requirement (1,500 hours in no fewer than 12 months, or 3,000 hours in no fewer than 18 months), and the exam. Certified Residential accepts a Bachelor's degree, an Associate's degree in specified concentrations, or 30 hours of college coursework; Certified General requires a Bachelor's or higher. Apply online through eLIPSE: $338 application fee, $390 license fee after the exam.

You choose between the Certified Residential and Certified General credentials. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, one of six college-level education options, 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months, and a passing score on the PSI exam. Certified General requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 18 months, including at least 1,500 hours of non-residential work.

In Mississippi, you first become an Appraiser Intern by completing 87 hours of qualifying education and paying a $50 fee. Certified Residential requires 200 total hours, 1,500 experience hours in no fewer than 12 months, and college-level education or 5 years holding a Licensed Residential credential. Certified General requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours in no fewer than 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Both require the 8-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course, a $225 application fee, and passing the national and state exams.

To become a certified appraiser in Missouri, you complete qualifying education, log supervised appraisal experience, and pass the national certification exam. Certified Residential requires at least 1,500 hours of experience over no less than 12 continuous months under a certified appraiser; Certified General requires 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 hours of non-residential work. You then pass the exam through PSI (fee $140, passing scaled score 75) and apply to the Missouri Real Estate Appraisers Commission with a $300 application fee.

In Montana, you become a certified appraiser by completing qualifying education, gaining supervised experience, passing the national exam, and applying to the Board of Real Estate Appraisers. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education and 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months. Certified General requires 300 hours and 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 hours of non-residential work. The Board reviews applications at its quarterly meetings before confirming eligibility to test, and a fingerprint background check is part of the application.

To become a certified appraiser in Nebraska, you must complete qualifying education, log the required supervised experience, and pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination administered by PSI. Certified Residential requires 200 class hours, a college-level education option, and 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months. Certified General requires 300 class hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Applicants must also be at least 19 years old.

To become a certified appraiser in Nevada, complete the qualifying education for the credential level you want, which exceeds the national minimums set by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB), and meet the college-level education requirement for that level. Gain experience under a supervisory appraiser or through Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA), which Nevada adopted on April 22, 2025. Then pass the national exam through Pearson VUE and apply to the Nevada Real Estate Division with a passing score report from within the last 12 months and fingerprints.

New Hampshire issues Certified Residential and Certified General credentials through the Real Estate Appraiser Board. Certified Residential requires 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months; Certified General requires 3,000 hours in no fewer than 18 months, including at least 1,500 non-residential hours. You must also complete qualifying education for your level, pass the national licensing exam, and submit the paper Universal Application with the addendum, experience log, criminal history check, and $275 fee.

In New Jersey, "certified appraiser" means either Certified Residential or Certified General. Certified Residential requires qualifying education, 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months, and college-level education or an alternative such as holding a Licensed Residential credential for 5 years with no disciplinary record. Certified General requires qualifying education, a bachelor's degree in any field, and 3,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Both paths end with a criminal history background check and an AQB-approved exam.

You become a certified appraiser in New Mexico by completing the education, experience, and exams for your chosen level. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education and 1,500 appraisal hours in no fewer than 12 months; Certified General requires 300 hours and 3,000 hours in no fewer than 18 months. You apply through the board's NM-PLUS portal, pass the state Jurisprudence Examination, clear a fingerprint background check, and then take the national exam through Pearson VUE, where 75 is the passing scaled score.

To become a certified appraiser in New York, complete the qualifying education, gain qualifying experience, pass the state examination, and apply to the Department of State with the $355 fee. Certified Residential requires 203 hours of qualifying education plus a college degree or an approved alternative, and 1,500 hours of experience over at least 24 months. Certified General requires 308 hours of education plus a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 24 months, including 1,500 hours of non-residential work. Experience must be no more than 5 years old at application.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in North Carolina, you must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma, complete the required qualifying education, and meet a college-level requirement, such as a bachelor's degree in any field. You gain experience through a supervisor/trainee track or an approved PAREA program (which substitutes at least 15 demonstration reports). After the Board accepts your work product, typically five reports with two full workfiles, you receive an exam ticket and must pass the national exam.

To earn a certified credential in North Dakota, complete qualifying education, gain supervised experience, and pass the national exam given through PSI. Certified residential requires 200 hours of Board-approved education, college-level education, and 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months. Certified general requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, at least half non-residential. The application fee is $400, and the Board will not process your application until your background check is complete.

Ohio offers two certified appraiser credentials: Certified Residential and Certified General. Certified Residential requires the qualifying education, 1,500 experience hours gained over at least 12 months, and college-level education, waived if you have held a Licensed Residential credential for at least 5 years. Certified General requires 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours, and a bachelor's degree. Both credentials require passing the national exam and completing background checks.

For the State Certified Residential Appraiser credential you need 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, one of the college options (a bachelor's degree, a focused associate's degree, 30 qualifying semester credits, or CLEP equivalents), and a passing score on the national exam. The State Certified General credential requires 300 hours of education, 3,000 hours of experience over 18 months with at least 1,500 non-residential hours, and a bachelor's degree. Both paths begin with a Board-approved application and fingerprint background check.

Pennsylvania issues Certified Residential and Certified General appraiser credentials. Certified Residential requires 203 classroom hours, a degree option, and 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months, or completion of a Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) program approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB). Certified General requires 300 classroom hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 18 months, including 1,500 nonresidential hours. After Board approval, you take the national exam through Pearson VUE.

To become a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Rhode Island, you must complete 200 hours of qualifying education, meet a college-level education requirement (a Bachelor's degree or an approved alternative), and document 1,500 hours of qualifying experience in no fewer than 12 months. You must pass the national Certified Residential exam, submit a criminal history record from the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General, and pay a $200 application fee. The Certified General level requires 300 hours, 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, and a Bachelor's degree.

For the certified residential credential, complete 200 hours of Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) Core Curriculum plus additional statistics, advanced applications, and elective hours. Then log at least 1,500 hours of experience over a minimum of 12 months, or complete a Board-approved Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) program or State Practicum instead. You must also satisfy a college-level rule, such as a Bachelor's degree or 5 years as a licensed appraiser with no disqualifying discipline, then pass the AQB-approved exam.

To become a state-certified appraiser in South Dakota, you must complete qualifying education, log supervised experience, pass the AQB-approved national exam, and clear state and federal criminal background checks. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of education and 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, including 750 residential hours. Certified General requires 300 hours and 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. The Department of Labor and Regulation issues the credential once you meet these requirements.

Tennessee has two certified credentials, and both start with Registered Trainee registration. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, college-level education (a bachelor's degree in any field is one of six accepted options), and 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months. Certified General requires 300 hours of qualifying education, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Each upgrade application costs $405 and requires passing the national exam administered by PSI.

To become a certified appraiser in Texas, you complete qualifying education, meet the experience requirement, and pass the national exam through the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB). Certified Residential requires 200 education hours, a college-level option, and 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months. Certified General requires 300 hours, a Bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours.

Utah offers two certified levels: Certified Residential and Certified General. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, a college-level option, and 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months. Certified General requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours in no fewer than 18 months, including 1,500 hours of non-residential work. Both paths require the Pearson VUE exam, a Green Card state approval form, fingerprinting, and a background check.

Start by registering as a trainee with the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (OPR), which requires an Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB)-approved course and a $115 fee. Work under a Certified Residential or Certified General supervisor while you complete more qualifying education: 200 hours for Certified Residential, 300 for Certified General, plus college-level education. Then pass the national exam, administered in Vermont through PSI. The certified application fee is $315, and Vermont no longer issues the Licensed Residential credential to new applicants.

To become a certified appraiser in Washington, you first register as a trainee, complete qualifying education, gain supervised experience, pass the national exam, and apply to the Washington Department of Licensing. Certified Residential requires a bachelor's degree (or a listed alternative, such as an associate degree in a focused field) plus 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months. Certified General requires a bachelor's degree plus 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 hours of non-residential work.

Start as an apprentice (75 hours of qualifying education, a background check, and a board-approved supervisor) or complete a Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) program. Certified residential requires 200 hours of education, 1,500 experience hours over at least 12 months, and a college prerequisite; certified general requires 300 hours, 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, and a bachelor's degree. You must pass the national exam and a 3-hour West Virginia law course, and pay a $120 application fee plus the annual fee ($250 certified residential, $375 certified general).

Wisconsin has two certified levels. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, college-level education, and 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months; it covers 1-4 family homes of any value. Certified General requires 300 hours of education, a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours; it covers all property types. Both levels require an FBI background check and passing the national and Wisconsin state exams.

You apply to the Wyoming Certified Real Estate Appraiser Board with two fingerprint cards, proof of college education, qualifying coursework, and a work experience log: 1,500 hours for Certified Residential or 3,000 hours for Certified General, at least half of which must be non-residential. The Board then emails you to submit two appraisals from the log for review, and after approval it emails you exam approval. You then schedule and pass both the National Exam and the Wyoming State Exam for your credential level.