How do I become a residential real estate appraiser?

Start at the trainee level: complete 83 hours of qualifying education, find a state-certified supervisory appraiser, and pass your state's background check. Then earn supervised experience (1,000 hours over at least 6 months for Licensed Residential, or 1,500 hours over at least 12 months for Certified Residential), finish remaining qualifying education, and pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination. States may require more than these minimums, and a few do not offer the trainee classification, so confirm details with your state appraiser regulatory agency.

Start with the Trainee Real Property Appraiser license: complete the qualifying education (83 hours of core courses plus a supervisory appraiser/trainee course), pass the PSI Trainee exam (110 questions, scaled score 75 to pass, $83 fee), and register under a Mentor who holds a Certified Residential or Certified General credential. The application fee is $150 and the annual license fee is $335. From there you earn hours toward the Licensed or Certified Residential credential, or use PAREA, which Alabama adopted on May 15, 2025 for those levels.

In Arizona, you start as a registered trainee appraiser: complete 83 hours of qualifying education, obtain an Arizona Department of Public Safety fingerprint clearance card, and submit the $300 application to the Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI). To reach the Licensed Residential level, log 1,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 6 months under a designated supervisory appraiser, complete 83 additional hours of education, and pass the licensing exam with a scaled score of 75.

Start by earning the Registered Apprentice (RA) credential: complete 83 hours of qualifying education plus a separate 4-hour Supervisor/Trainee course, find a state-certified supervisor, and apply online with a $200 fee. Experience hours cannot start accruing until the RA credential is issued. To upgrade to State Licensed, complete 162 total qualifying-education hours and 1,000 experience hours in no fewer than 6 months, then pass the state licensing exam.

California requires a minimum of 158 hours of qualifying education for the Licensed Residential credential, plus a 1-hour Cultural Competency course and a 4-hour Laws and Regulations course. You must log 1,000 hours of appraisal experience over at least 6 months, though an AQB-approved PAREA program or a BREA-approved practicum can satisfy the full experience requirement. After BREA approves the $1,035 application, you pass the national exam administered by PSI.

Colorado has no trainee credential, so you begin as a Licensed Appraiser. You need 158 hours of qualifying education (effective January 1, 2026), 1,000 hours of experience gained over at least 6 months under a credentialed appraiser in good standing, and no college-level education. You then pass the national exam, obtain errors and omissions insurance, and may appraise non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties under $1 million.

First become a Connecticut Provisional Appraiser and gain supervised experience, then apply to upgrade to Certified Residential. You must meet the Appraisal Qualification Board's 2026 criteria, which Connecticut has adopted: qualifying education, experience hours recorded in signed logs, proof of college-level education, and a passing score on the national certification exam. Submit your online upgrade application with all pre-licensing course certificates, signed logs, and college proof, and pay a $45 application fee plus a $375 initial fee.

Start as an Appraiser Trainee: complete 75 hours of qualifying education (83 hours for applications on or after January 1, 2026), take an AQB-approved Supervisory Appraiser/Trainee Appraiser course, and pass Delaware and FBI background checks. File in DELPROS with a supervision form signed by a certified appraiser. To become a Licensed Residential appraiser, you then need 1,000 hours of experience over at least 6 months, 150 qualifying education hours (158 from January 1, 2026), and a passing exam score.

To become a Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser in DC, complete 158 hours of qualifying education from a Board-approved provider, effective January 1, 2026 under the Appraisal Qualifications Board's 2026 Criteria. Then complete 1,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 6 months and pass the licensing exam, which PSI administers after the DC Board of Real Estate Appraisers approves your application. A scaled score of 75 on the exam's 0-110 scale passes.

To become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Florida, complete 200 hours of approved qualifying education, then log 1,500 hours of supervised experience over at least 12 months, documented on a minimum of 150 appraisal reports. You must also meet one of five college criteria, such as a bachelor's degree in any field, an associate's degree in a focused field, or 30 semester hours of college credit in specified topics. Finally, pass the National Residential Exam ($42) and the Florida Supplemental Exam ($15.75), and submit the $351 application fee to the department.

In Georgia, you begin as a State Trainee: you must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, and complete 90 hours of Board-approved qualifying education, including the 15-hour National USPAP course, plus a separate AQB Supervisor/Trainee course. There is no state exam at the trainee level, only end-of-course exams. To become a Licensed Residential appraiser you then need 1,000 hours of supervised experience gained over at least 6 months; Certified Residential requires 1,500 hours over at least 12 months, including at least 25% in complex one-to-four-unit residential work.

Complete 83 hours of trainee qualifying education plus Hawaii's supervisor/trainee course, register as an appraiser trainee, and gain experience under a supervising certified appraiser. Certified residential applicants need 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months plus college-level education (a bachelor's degree or approved alternatives); the state licensed credential requires 1,000 hours over at least 6 months and no college. Both paths require passing the 4-hour exam with a scaled score of 75 and applying to the state licensing division.

To become a Licensed Residential appraiser in Idaho, complete 158 hours of qualifying education as of January 1, 2026 (the 83-hour trainee core plus 75 hours of residential courses), then complete 1,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 6 months under a supervisory appraiser. Pass the AQB-approved Licensed Residential exam, which Pearson VUE administers. The credential covers non-complex 1-4 unit properties valued under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 unit properties under $400,000.

In Illinois, you start as an Associate Real Estate Trainee Appraiser: complete 83 hours of qualifying education, plus the 3-hour AQB Supervisor-Trainee Course, secure an approved supervisor, and clear a fingerprint background check with a $225 application fee. No exam is required at the trainee level. To reach Certified Residential, you need 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 hours of supervised experience over at least 12 months, a bachelor's degree or an approved alternative, and a scaled score of at least 75 on the PSI-administered exam.

Indiana has no Licensed Residential credential, so the residential license is the Certified Residential Appraiser. You need 200 hours of qualifying education, 2,500 hours of logged experience obtained in no fewer than 24 months under supervision, and a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or an AQB-approved alternative), with an original transcript submitted. The application fee is $100 by examination, and you must pass the Pearson VUE exam with a scaled score of 75.

In Iowa, you first register as an associate real estate appraiser and work under a certified supervisory appraiser, or complete an AQB-approved PAREA program. To earn the certified residential real estate appraiser credential, you must complete 200 hours of qualifying education, accumulate 1,500 hours of experience in no less than 12 months, meet the college-level education requirement, and pass the certified residential examination.

Kansas offers two residential credentials. You can pursue the State Licensed classification, which requires 158 hours of qualifying education and 1,000 hours of appraisal experience over at least 6 months, or Certified Residential, which requires 200 hours of qualifying education plus college-level coursework and 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months. After the Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board approves your education and experience, you must pass the national appraiser examination, which Kansas administers through Pearson VUE.

In Kentucky, you first obtain the Associate Real Property Appraiser credential, the state's trainee level: complete 105 hours of qualifying education, secure a Kentucky-licensed supervisor, complete an Identogo fingerprint background check, and submit the Associate and Supervisor applications with a $200 licensing fee. To become a Licensed Residential appraiser, you then log 1,000 experience hours in no less than 6 months, complete 158 total hours of qualifying education, and pass the state exam.

To become a Licensed Residential appraiser in Louisiana, you must complete 158 creditable class hours of qualifying education, log 1,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 6 months under a supervisory appraiser, and pass the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB)-approved Licensed Residential examination. No college degree is required at this level. A trainee completes an additional 75 hours of education to reach the 158-hour total, and the initial license fee on the state's testing application is $245.

In Maryland, you start with the Appraiser Trainee credential, which requires 75 hours of Commission-approved coursework within the 5 years before applying, including 15 hours of USPAP and a trainee responsibilities course, plus a supervising certified appraiser. To reach the Licensed Residential level, you need 150 course hours, at least 1,000 hours of supervised appraisal experience over at least 6 months, and a passing score on the National Uniform Licensing Examination administered by PSI. Maryland also accepts the PAREA program as an alternative to supervised experience at this level.

To become a Certified Residential appraiser in Massachusetts, complete 200 hours of primary education, gain 1,500 hours of experience in no fewer than 12 months, and meet a college requirement: a Bachelor's or Associate's degree in specified concentrations, or 30 hours of college courses. Apply online through eLIPSE with a $338 application fee; after passing the exam, pay the $390 license fee. The State Licensed credential is the lower option, with 150 education hours and 1,000 hours over at least 6 months, and no degree required.

To become a residential appraiser in Michigan, start with the Limited Appraiser license from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Complete the qualifying education, which includes the 15-hour National USPAP course and a 4-hour Supervisor/Trainee course, and file the $285 application plus 2-year license fee online. The limited credential requires no exam or experience; you then gain supervised hours and upgrade to State Licensed (150 hours of education, 1,000 experience hours) or Certified Residential (200 hours, 1,500 experience hours).

You start as a Trainee Real Property Appraiser: complete 83 hours of qualifying education plus Minnesota's separate 6-hour Supervisor/Trainee Appraiser Course, submit fingerprints, and secure a supervisory appraiser; no state licensing exam is required at this level. To reach Licensed Residential, complete 158 hours of qualifying education and 1,000 hours of supervised experience in no fewer than 6 months, then pass the exam with a scaled score of 75 or higher. The Minnesota Department of Commerce must pre-authorize your application before you sit for the exam.

In Mississippi, you first become a trainee, then upgrade to Licensed Residential by completing 158 hours of Qualifying Education and logging 1,000 hours of supervised appraisal experience in no fewer than 6 months. You submit the MAB application with a $225 fee, your experience log, and course certificates, then pass the national exam through PSI and the state test. Renewal is every 2 years with 28 hours of continuing education.

To become a residential appraiser in Missouri, complete the qualifying education, pass the national licensing exam, and log supervised experience under a certified appraiser. For the State License (Licensed Residential) level, Missouri requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of appraisal experience in no less than 6 months, and no college education. PSI administers the exam for a $140 fee, and the application fee is $300.

Nebraska's Licensed Residential credential requires 158 class hours of Board-approved qualifying education for applications submitted after December 31, 2025, plus the 15-hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course within two years of application. You also need 1,000 hours of experience over at least 6 months, including at least three residential reports, and a passing score on the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination, which costs $130.

In New Hampshire, you start by registering as an Apprentice Appraiser, which requires naming a supervising appraiser who has been certified in the state for at least 2 years, plus a signed acknowledgement letter from that supervisor. You then complete the qualifying education set by board rule, accrue supervised experience, and pass the national licensing exam. For the Licensed Residential credential, you need at least 1,000 hours of experience accrued over no fewer than 6 months, and the exam is administered by PSI for a $100 fee.

New Jersey issues the Licensed Residential credential to applicants who complete the required qualifying education, obtain 1,000 hours of appraisal experience in no fewer than 6 months, and pass the licensing exam. You must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, and clear a criminal history background check. The trainee program is voluntary, so you can gain experience under a supervisory appraiser without a permit, though a permit gives you a permit number.

To become a residential appraiser in New Mexico, you first register as a trainee, then apply for the Licensed Residential or Certified Residential credential. Licensed Residential requires 158 hours of qualifying education and 1,000 hours of appraisal experience in no fewer than 6 months; Certified Residential requires 200 hours, college-level education, and 1,500 hours in no fewer than 12 months. After the board reviews your experience log (it randomly selects three property files), it mails an approval card that lets you schedule the Pearson VUE national exam.

To become a State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser in New York, complete 158 hours of qualifying education (the requirement effective January 1, 2026), gain at least 1,000 hours of appraisal experience over no less than 24 months, and pass the licensing examination, then submit the application with the $355 fee. New York also accepts a completed approved PAREA program as an alternative to some or all of the experience hours.

To become a certified residential appraiser in North Dakota, you complete 200 hours of Board-approved qualifying education, gain 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, and pass the Uniform State Certified Residential Appraiser Examination. You must also meet a college-level requirement, such as a bachelor's degree in any field or an associate degree in business, accounting, finance, economics, or real estate. The application fee is $400. A licensed appraiser credential, requiring 158 hours and 1,000 hours of experience over 6 months, is a lower residential option.

In Oklahoma you start as a Trainee Appraiser: complete 83 hours of qualifying education (the 15-hour National USPAP course, Basic Appraisal Principles, Basic Appraisal Procedures, and the 8-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course) plus the Board's 4-hour Trainee Supervisor course, and file an REA-8 Report of Supervisory Relationship. To upgrade to State Licensed Appraiser, complete 158 hours of qualifying education, log 1,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 6 months, and pass the licensing exam with a scaled score of at least 75.

To become a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Pennsylvania, you must complete 203 classroom hours of appraisal education, satisfy a degree option (such as a bachelor's degree in any field), and pass the national exam through Pearson VUE. You also need 1,500 hours of qualifying experience in at least 12 months, or completion of an AQB-approved Certified Residential PAREA program. The application fee is $235, plus a $45 or $90 initial certification fee and a $40 annual National Registry fee.

Start with the Licensed Trainee credential: complete 83 hours of qualifying education (Basic Appraisal Principles, Basic Appraisal Procedures, the 15-hour USPAP course, and Valuation Bias and Fair Housing), line up a supervisory appraiser, and apply with a $200 fee and a criminal history record. Then upgrade to Licensed Residential by completing 158 hours of qualifying education, logging 1,000 hours of supervised experience over at least 6 months, and passing the national exam through Pearson VUE.

Register first as a State-Registered Trainee: complete 83 hours of qualifying education, the state's Training Course for Supervisory Appraisers and State-Registered Trainees, and a background check, with no exam required. To become State-Licensed, complete 1,000 hours of experience over at least 6 months and pass the national exam. Certified Residential requires 200 education hours, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months including 750 residential hours, the exam, and a degree or an approved alternative.

To become a State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Tennessee, you must complete 200 hours of qualifying education and 1,500 hours of qualifying experience obtained in no fewer than 12 months, then pass the national examination. College-level education is required, though it is waived for appraisers who have held a Licensed Residential credential for at least 5 years with no adverse, final, non-appealable disciplinary action in that period. The application fee is $405, and after receiving a complete application the Commission requests appraisal reports and schedules an interview.

In Texas, you start with the Appraiser Trainee credential: find a supervisory appraiser, complete 83 hours of qualifying education plus a 4-hour Board-approved Appraiser Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser Course, pass a background check, and apply to the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB). To advance to Licensed Residential, you need 158 hours of qualifying education, 1,000 hours of verifiable appraisal experience over at least 6 months (or an approved PAREA training module), and a passing score on the national exam administered by Pearson VUE.

Utah offers two residential credentials. Licensed Residential requires 158 hours of qualifying education and 1,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 6 months. Certified Residential requires 200 hours, college-level education (or an alternative such as five years as a Licensed Residential appraiser), and 1,500 hours in no fewer than 12 months. Each path ends with the Pearson VUE exam, available once the state issues a Green Card approval form.

Vermont no longer issues the Licensed Residential credential to new applicants, so the residential path is Certified Residential. You must first complete 83 hours of qualifying education (effective January 1, 2026) and register as a trainee with the Office of Professional Regulation ($115 fee, plus a fingerprint background check that can take 6-12 weeks). You then work under a certified supervising appraiser while completing 200 qualifying-education hours, 1,500 experience hours in no fewer than 12 months, and college-level education, before passing the national exam.

To become a Licensed Residential appraiser in Virginia, complete 158 hours of qualifying education, including the 8-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course, and gain 1,000 hours of appraisal experience over at least 6 months under a supervising appraiser. Most applicants start with the Appraiser Trainee license, which requires 83 hours of pre-license coursework and a supervisor verification form with the application. After the Board approves your application and experience log, you must pass the licensing exam, which costs $125 through PSI.

Washington's residential appraisal path starts with trainee registration: the required qualifying education and a $400 registration fee, followed by supervised experience hours. For the state-licensed credential, Washington requires 158 hours of qualifying education and 2,000 hours of appraisal experience gained over at least 12 months, plus a passing score on the licensing exam. Certified Residential requires 1,500 hours of experience over a minimum of 12 months, along with additional education.

In West Virginia, start with an appraiser apprentice permit: complete 75 hours of board-approved qualifying education within the prior 5 years, pass a 3-hour West Virginia law course and a 4-hour supervisor-trainee course, clear a state and national background check, and secure a board-approved supervisor. Then complete 158 hours of qualifying education (including the 8-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing requirement) and at least 1,000 hours of supervised experience over 6 months or more before taking the licensing exam.

Wisconsin's entry residential credential is the Licensed Appraiser: 150 hours of core curriculum courses plus 1,000 hours of experience in no less than 6 months, with no college degree required. You must pass both the national examination and the Wisconsin state examination on statutes and rules. Wisconsin accepts a Licensed Residential PAREA (Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal) program in place of all 1,000 experience hours, so a virtual program can substitute for supervisor-based training.

Wyoming's Certified Real Estate Appraiser Board issues the Certified Residential permit. You must submit two fingerprint cards, prove college-level education (a bachelor's degree, an associate's degree in a focused field, 30 semester credit hours, or equivalent CLEP exams), complete the required qualifying coursework including the 15-hour national Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course, log 1,500 hours of experience on the Board's work log, and pass both the National and State exams for Certified Residential Appraisers.