How do I become a certified real estate appraiser?

To become certified, complete the qualifying education for your target level: 200 hours plus a college-level education option for Certified Residential, or 300 hours plus a bachelor's degree for Certified General. Then gain the required experience, at least 1,500 hours over 12 months for Certified Residential or 3,000 hours over 18 months including 1,500 non-residential hours for Certified General, through a supervisor, practicum course, or PAREA. After your state verifies education and experience, pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination for that level.

To become a Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser in Alabama, you must complete 200 hours of Board-approved qualifying education, meet a college-level option (a Bachelor's degree in any field, an Associate's degree in a related field, 30 semester hours of college courses, or 30 CLEP hours; Licensed appraisers of 5 years with a clean disciplinary record are exempt), and log 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, or the PAREA equivalent accepted since May 15, 2025. After the Board approves the $275 application, pass the PSI exam, then pay the license fee for your certificate.

Alaska offers Certified Residential and Certified General credentials through its Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers. Certified Residential requires 200 classroom hours, one of four college options, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, and the residential certification exam. Certified General requires a bachelor's degree, 300 classroom hours, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, including 1,500 nonresidential hours, plus the general exam. Pearson VUE administers both exams, and application fees total $580.

In Arkansas, a Certified Residential appraiser must complete 204 qualifying-education hours, gain 1,500 experience hours in no fewer than 12 months, and pass the national exam through Pearson VUE. You must also meet a college-level education requirement, such as a bachelor's degree or an associate degree in a focused field, or skip it by holding a State Licensed credential in good standing for at least 5 years with no disqualifying discipline. The upgrade application fee is $100, and the board interviews applicants before they sit for the exam.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in California, complete at least 200 hours of qualifying education plus the state's added courses, satisfy a college education requirement, and log 1,500 hours of appraisal experience over at least 12 months. Then file an application (REA 3001, or REA 3023 for an upgrade) with the $1,110 fee, and after BREA issues an eligibility letter, pass the national exam through PSI.

Connecticut certifies appraisers at the Certified Residential and Certified General levels, reached by upgrading from the Provisional Appraiser credential. You must meet the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) 2026 criteria and submit all pre-licensing course certificates, signed experience logs with hours tallied on each page, and proof of required college education, then pass the licensing exam. Certified applicants pay a $45 application fee plus a $375 initial fee, and Connecticut accepts Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) toward the upgrade.

To become a certified appraiser in Delaware, you must complete the qualifying education hours (200 for Certified Residential, 300 for Certified General), hold the required degree (an Associate degree or 21 semester hours for Residential; a Bachelor's degree or 30 semester hours for General), and finish the experience hours (1,500 over at least 12 months, or 3,000 over at least 18 months with 1,500 non-residential). Then apply through DELPROS, pass the Pearson VUE exam after Council approval, and submit sample appraisal reports if the Council requests them.

To become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Florida, complete 200 classroom hours of approved qualifying education, meet one of the college options (a bachelor's degree in any field, an associate's degree in a focused field, or 30 semester hours of college or CLEP credit in specified topics), and log 1,500 hours of supervised experience over at least 12 months, documented on at least 150 appraisal reports. Then apply to the Florida DBPR with the $351 fee and fingerprints, and pass the National Residential Exam and the Florida Supplemental Exam.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in Georgia, complete 200 hours of qualifying education, log 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months (at least 25% in complex one-to-four-unit residential work), meet a college-level education option such as a Bachelor's degree or a related Associate's degree, and pass the state exam administered by PSI. Certified General requires a Bachelor's degree, 300 hours, and 3,000 hours over at least 18 months with at least 50% in non-residential work.

To become a certified residential appraiser in Hawaii, you must complete 200 hours of qualifying education, meet the college-level education requirement (a bachelor's degree or an approved alternative), gain 1,500 hours of qualifying experience in no fewer than 12 months under a supervising certified appraiser, and pass the licensing exam with a scaled score of 75. For certified general, the requirements are 300 hours of education, a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 18 months, including at least 1,500 nonresidential hours.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in Idaho, you complete 50 classroom hours beyond the Licensed Residential curriculum, meet a college-level education requirement (a bachelor's degree or an approved alternative, such as an associate's degree in a business-related field), and log 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months, including at least 1,200 hours of residential field work. You then pass the Certified Residential exam administered by Pearson VUE and apply to the Idaho Real Estate Appraiser Board.

In Illinois, you first become an Associate Real Estate Trainee Appraiser: 83 hours of qualifying education since January 1, 2026, plus the 3-hour Supervisor-Trainee Course, a fingerprint background check, and a $225 application to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). Certified Residential then requires 200 hours of 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. Both require the national exam, which PSI administers for $62, plus college-level education.

To become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Indiana, you must complete 200 hours of qualifying education, log 2,500 hours of supervised appraisal experience across at least 24 months, and hold a bachelor's degree or higher, or an AQB-approved alternative. You submit the application with a $100 fee, your signed experience log, and an original transcript, then pass the state exam through Pearson VUE. The issuance fee is $190 if issued in the first year of the two-year cycle, or $150 in the second year.

In Iowa, you register as an associate real estate appraiser and gain experience under a certified supervisory appraiser, or complete an AQB-approved PAREA program. Certified residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 experience hours over at least 12 months, and the exam; certified general requires 300 hours, 3,000 experience hours over at least 18 months including a minimum of 1,500 general hours, plus a bachelor's degree. You must also complete a work product review at the time you apply to sit for the exam.

Kansas offers two certified credentials, each requiring board-approved education, documented experience, and the national exam. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education plus college-level coursework, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, and the national exam. Certified General requires 300 hours plus a bachelor's degree, 3,000 hours over at least 18 months including at least 1,500 nonresidential hours, and the national exam. The board must approve your education and experience before you sit for the exam, which Pearson VUE administers.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in Kentucky, you first obtain the Associate Real Property Appraiser credential, which requires 105 hours of qualifying education, a supervisor, a background check, and a $200 application fee. You then log at least 1,500 hours of experience in no less than 12 months, complete the Certified Residential education (200 class hours), and hold a bachelor's degree or a board-approved equivalency. After the board reviews your experience log and inspects selected appraisal reports, you pass the exam ($200 per attempt) and pay the $240 upgrade fee.

You apply to the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board (LREAB) after meeting the education, experience, exam, and college requirements for the credential you want. Certified Residential requires 200 qualifying education hours, 1,500 experience hours in no fewer than 12 months, a passing exam, and college-level education, or 5 years as a Licensed Residential appraiser in good standing. Certified General requires 300 hours, 3,000 experience hours over no fewer than 18 months including 1,500 non-residential hours, a Bachelor's degree, and the Certified General exam.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in Maryland, you must complete 200 hours of Commission-approved courses, log at least 1,500 hours of appraisal work over at least 12 months, meet one of the college-education options (or hold a Maryland appraiser license for 5 years with no disciplinary action), and pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination. The application fee is $250 plus a $120 National Registry fee, and the license runs three years.

Apply online through the eLIPSE portal, including a notarized criminal background check form and a photo. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 experience hours in no fewer than 12 months, and a bachelor's or associate's degree or 30 hours of college-level coursework. Certified General requires 300 hours, 3,000 experience hours in no fewer than 18 months (1,500 must be non-residential), and a bachelor's degree or higher. The application fee is $338, and the $390 original license fee is paid to the vendor after passing the exam.

Michigan offers two certified credentials through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). 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 Services exam. Certified General requires 300 hours of education, a bachelor's degree or higher, 3,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 18 months including 1,500 hours of non-residential work, and the exam. The application plus two-year license fee is $385 for either credential.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in Mississippi, you must complete 200 hours of qualifying education, log 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months with at least 50% in residential work, and pass the national and state exams after the Mississippi Appraisal Board approves your $225 application. You must also hold college-level education, or have held a Licensed Residential credential for at least five years.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in Missouri you must complete the required qualifying education, pass the Certified Residential examination, and log a minimum of 1,500 hours of appraisal experience over no less than 12 continuous months while working with a certified appraiser. PSI administers the exam for a $140 fee, and a scaled score of 75 is passing. You then apply through the Missouri Real Estate Appraisers Commission, which charges a $300 application fee and requires a fingerprint background check.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in Nebraska, you must complete 200 class hours of qualifying education, gain 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, and pass the National Uniform Certification Examination administered by PSI; Certified General requires 300 class hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Applicants must be at least 19 years old and free of felony convictions unless civil rights were restored. The Nebraska Real Property Appraiser Board issues the credential.

First register as a Nevada Registered Intern by completing the qualifying education, applying with the fee and fingerprints, and gaining experience under a supervisory appraiser. To become certified, complete the qualifying education for Certified Residential or Certified General, which exceeds the national minimums of 200 and 300 hours, accrue supervised experience, and pass the national exam. You then apply to the Nevada Real Estate Division; the Division's current itemization for a Licensed or Certified Residential application totals $435, including the $100 nonrefundable application fee.

To become a Certified Residential Appraiser in New Hampshire, you must complete 200 hours of qualifying education under the Appraisal Qualifications Board criteria effective January 1, 2026, accrue at least 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months, and pass the national licensing exam, which PSI administers for a $100 fee. A bachelor's degree is required, though an associate degree in a business field or 30 specified college credit hours also qualify. You then submit the paper Universal Application with the appraiser addendum, experience log, criminal history check, and $275 fee.

New Jersey offers two certified credentials: Certified Residential and Certified General. Applicants must be at least 18, show good moral character, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, pass a criminal history background check, and complete the qualifying education. 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, plus a bachelor's degree. After Board approval, you pass the licensing exam and pay issuance fees.

In New Mexico you can pursue a Certified Residential or Certified General credential through the Real Estate Appraisers Board. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 appraisal hours in no fewer than 12 months, and college-level education; 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. You must also pass the open-book Jurisprudence Exam with 70% or better, clear a fingerprint background check, and pass the national exam through Pearson VUE.

To become certified, complete qualifying education, gain the required experience, pass the examination, and submit an application with the $355 fee to the Department of State. 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 plus a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 24 months, including at least 1,500 non-residential hours.

The North Carolina Appraisal Board issues four levels: Registered Trainee, Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General. To become certified, you complete the qualifying education and college-level requirement for the level, document qualifying experience, and pass work product review (typically five reports with two full workfiles). After passing the national exam, the Board issues the certification. Certified Residential is also available through a PAREA program, which requires a log of at least 15 demonstration appraisals, five of which the Board reviews.

North Dakota has two certified credentials. Certified residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, college-level education, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, and the Uniform State Certified Residential Appraiser Examination. A licensed appraiser with at least 5 years of licensure and no adverse disciplinary action can skip the college requirement. Certified general requires a bachelor's degree, 300 hours of education, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, at least half non-residential.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in Ohio, you must complete the qualifying education, log 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, meet a college education option, and pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination. Experience is normally gained as a Registered Appraiser Assistant under a supervisory appraiser, or partly through a Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) program. Certified General requires a bachelor's degree and 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours.

Oklahoma offers two certified credentials. For Certified Residential, you must complete 200 hours of qualifying education, meet a college requirement (a bachelor's degree or an approved alternative, or hold a State Licensed credential for at least 5 years), log 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months, and pass the exam with a scaled score of 75. 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 non-residential hours.

To become a certified real estate appraiser in Pennsylvania, you must complete the qualifying education, pass the national exam, and document your experience. For Certified Residential, you need 203 classroom hours, an eligible college credential, and 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months (or an approved PAREA program). For Certified General, you need a bachelor's degree, 300 classroom hours, and 3,000 hours of experience within 18 months, including 1,500 nonresidential hours.

To become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Rhode Island, you must complete 200 hours of qualifying education, meet a college-level education requirement, gain 1,500 hours of qualifying experience over at least 12 months, and pass the national exam with a scaled score of 75. Certified General requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Every applicant submits a $200 application fee and a criminal history record from the Rhode Island Attorney General's office.

In South Dakota, the State-Certified Residential Appraiser credential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months (including 750 hours of residential work), a passing score on the national exam, a background check, and a bachelor's degree, an associate degree in a focused field, or 30 semester credit hours in specified topics. The State-Certified General credential requires 300 hours of education, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, including 1,500 hours of non-residential work.

First register as a Registered Trainee with the Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission (TREAC) by completing 87 hours of qualifying education and working under a supervising appraiser. State Certified Residential then requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 experience hours earned in no fewer than 12 months, and college-level education. State Certified General requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 experience hours in no fewer than 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours.

Texas issues two certified credentials through the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB). Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education plus one of six college-level options, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, and the national exam. Certified General requires 300 hours, a Bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Application fees total $550 and $650, and Pearson VUE administers the exams at $65 per attempt.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in Vermont, you complete 200 hours of qualifying education, document 1,500 hours of supervised experience in no fewer than 12 months, and meet a college-level education requirement. The Certified General path takes 300 education hours and 3,000 experience hours over at least 18 months plus a bachelor's degree. You then pass the national examination through PSI, Vermont's exam vendor, and apply to the Office of Professional Regulation with the $315 fee and a fingerprint background check, which can take 6-12 weeks to process.

You complete qualifying education, gain supervised experience, pass the national exam, and pay state fees. Certified Residential requires at least 200 hours of qualifying education and 1,500 experience hours over a minimum of 12 months; Certified General requires at least 300 hours and 3,000 experience hours over at least 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours. Both certified levels also require college education. PSI administers the exam for $105 with a passing scaled score of 75, and Department of Licensing fees total $1,160 ($740 application plus $420 certification).

In West Virginia you can become a Certified Residential or Certified General appraiser. Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, a college prerequisite (Bachelor's degree, Associate's in a related field, 30 semester hours, CLEP exams, or 5 years as a Licensed Residential appraiser), and the national exam plus a 3-hour West Virginia law course. Certified General requires 300 hours, 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months with at least 1,500 nonresidential hours, and a bachelor's degree.

To become a Wisconsin Certified Residential Appraiser, you must complete 200 hours of qualifying education, gain 1,500 hours of appraisal experience in no fewer than 12 months, and hold college-level education (a Bachelor's degree or an approved alternative). You must pass both the national examination and the Wisconsin state examination on statutes and rules, complete an FBI fingerprint background check, and apply through the state's LicensE portal. The Certified General credential requires 300 education hours and 3,000 experience hours, including 1,500 non-residential hours.

Wyoming offers first-time Certified Residential and Certified General paths. Certified Residential applicants must show a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree in a focused field, 30 semester credit hours, or CLEP credit; complete the required qualifying coursework; log 1,500 hours of experience; and pass both the national and Wyoming state exams. Certified General applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or higher, log 3,000 hours with at least 50% non-residential, and pass both exams. All applicants submit two fingerprint cards.