What are the different types of appraiser licenses and how do they differ?

Real property appraiser credentials come in four levels: Trainee, Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General. Under Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) criteria effective January 1, 2026, they require 83, 158, 200, and 300 hours of qualifying education, with experience of none, 1,000, 1,500, and 3,000 hours. Scope grows with each level: trainees appraise only under a supervisor, Licensed Residential covers non-complex 1-4 unit homes under $1,000,000 (complex under $400,000), Certified Residential covers any 1-4 unit home, and Certified General covers all real property.

Alaska issues three certification categories: general real estate appraiser, residential real estate appraiser, and institutional real estate appraiser, plus registered trainee appraisers and supervisory appraiser approvals (AS 08.87.110). The state does not issue the national Licensed Residential credential. A residential certificate covers 1-4 unit residential property, while an institutional certificate, for financial-institution employees, is limited to the institution's own portfolio.

Arizona has five classifications: registered trainee appraiser, state licensed (Licensed Residential), state certified residential, state certified general, and designated supervisory appraiser. A Licensed Residential appraiser may appraise non-complex one-to-four unit homes under $1,000,000 and complex ones under $400,000. Certified Residential covers one-to-four unit homes at any value or complexity, Certified General covers all types of real property, and designated supervisory appraiser is an Arizona-only credential required to supervise trainees.

Arkansas regulates five appraiser credentials. The Registered Apprentice (RA) is the trainee level under a certified supervisor; the State Registered (SR) appraiser may appraise any property except in federally related transactions and cannot upgrade. State Licensed appraisers handle non-complex 1-4 residential units under $1,000,000 and complex units under $400,000. Certified Residential covers all 1-4 unit residential work, and Certified General has no transaction value or complexity limits. Only State Licensed, Certified Residential, and Certified General are federally recognized.

California offers four appraiser credentials. Trainee (AT) is the entry level, with no experience prerequisite, working under a supervisor. Licensed Residential (AL) covers non-complex 1-4 family properties up to $1 million in value and requires 1,000 hours of experience. Certified Residential (AR) covers any 1-4 family property regardless of value or complexity and requires 1,500 hours plus college education. Certified General (AG) covers all types of real estate and requires a bachelor's degree and 3,000 hours including 1,500 non-residential.

Colorado issues four appraiser credential levels. The Licensed Appraiser may appraise non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with a transaction value under $1 million and complex 1-4 unit residential properties under $400,000. The Certified Residential Appraiser may appraise 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity, and the Certified General Appraiser may appraise all types of real property. A fourth level, the Licensed Ad Valorem Appraiser, is open only to employees of county tax assessment offices.

Connecticut issues three appraiser credentials: Certified General, Certified Residential, and Provisional, the trainee level. The state deleted the Licensed Residential category in 2014, and no licensed-level credentials are active. Certified General appraisers can appraise all types of real estate, Certified Residential appraisers handle residential properties regardless of transaction value, and Provisional appraisers estimate value for a fee only under a certified appraiser's supervision.

Delaware issues four appraiser credentials through the Council on Real Estate Appraisers: trainee, licensed real property appraiser (RPA), certified residential, and certified general. A trainee works only under a supervising certified appraiser. A licensed RPA appraises non-complex 1-to-4 residential units with a transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-to-4 units under $400,000. Certified residential covers 1-to-4 residential units without value or complexity limits, and certified general covers all types of real property.

DC issues four appraiser credentials: Appraiser Trainee, Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General. Licensed Residential requires 158 hours of education, 1,000 hours of experience in at least 6 months, and an exam, and covers non-complex 1-4 unit homes under $1,000,000 and complex ones under $400,000. Certified Residential requires 200 hours, 1,500 hours in at least 12 months, and college-level education, with no value limit. Certified General requires 300 hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours in at least 18 months, covering all real property.

Florida issues three appraiser credentials: Registered Trainee, Certified Residential, and Certified General, with no licensed-residential tier. A Registered Trainee appraises only under the direct supervision of a certified appraiser. A Certified Residential Appraiser can appraise residential property of one to four units, regardless of value or complexity. A Certified General Appraiser can appraise any type of real property. Education requirements rise with each level: 100 hours for a trainee, 200 hours for Certified Residential, and 300 hours plus a bachelor's degree for Certified General.

Georgia issues four appraiser classifications: State Trainee (also State Registered), State Licensed, Certified Residential, and Certified General. A Trainee needs 90 hours of education and no experience; Licensed requires 150 hours plus 1,000 hours of experience over at least 6 months; Certified Residential requires 200 hours plus 1,500 hours over at least 12 months; 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. Each higher classification permits a broader scope of appraisal practice.

Hawaii recognizes four appraiser credentials: appraiser trainee, state licensed appraiser, certified residential appraiser, and certified general appraiser. A trainee works under a supervising certified appraiser. A state licensed appraiser may appraise noncomplex 1-4 family residential property with a transaction value under $1,000,000 and other property up to $250,000; a certified residential appraiser may appraise all 1-4 unit residential property regardless of value or complexity; and a certified general appraiser may appraise all real property types.

Idaho offers four real estate appraiser credentials: Trainee, Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General. A Licensed Residential appraiser may appraise non-complex 1-4 unit properties with a transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 unit properties under $400,000. Certified Residential covers 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity, and Certified General covers all types of real property.

Illinois issues three appraiser credentials. The Associate Real Estate Trainee Appraiser requires 83 hours of qualifying education, no experience, and no exam, and must practice under an approved supervisor. The Certified Residential requires 200 hours of qualifying education, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months, and the national exam. The Certified General requires a bachelor's degree, 300 hours of education, 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months, and the national exam. A six-month Temporary Practice Permit is also available to out-of-state certified appraisers.

Indiana issues three appraiser credentials: Trainee, Certified Residential, and Certified General. A Trainee works only under a certified supervisor and cannot independently appraise property for federally related transactions. A Certified Residential appraiser can appraise 1-4 unit residential properties regardless of value or complexity, while a Certified General appraiser can appraise all types of real property. Indiana does not offer a Licensed Residential credential.

Iowa issues three appraiser credentials: associate real estate appraiser (the trainee level), certified residential real estate appraiser, and certified general real estate appraiser. Certified residential appraisers may appraise residential properties of one to four units; certified general appraisers may appraise all real estate, including commercial and agricultural. Iowa does not issue the "licensed real estate appraiser" category recognized under federal law. An associate appraiser works under a certified supervisor while training toward certification.

Kansas has four appraiser classifications: state provisional licensed (the trainee credential, with no experience requirement and direct supervision), state licensed, certified residential, and certified general. A state licensed appraiser may appraise non-complex 1-4 family residential property with a transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 family residential property under $400,000. Certified residential covers all 1-4 family residential property regardless of value or complexity, and certified general covers all property types, including nonresidential.

Louisiana issues three appraiser licenses and two registrations. The Appraiser Trainee registration allows work only within a supervisory appraiser's authorized scope. The Licensed Residential license covers non-complex 1-4 unit homes with transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 units under $400,000. The Certified Residential license covers 1-4 unit homes without value or complexity limits, plus other property with a market value of $500,000 or less. The Certified General license covers all real property without regard to value.

Maine issues five appraiser credentials: trainee, licensed residential, certified residential, certified general, and a temporary license for out-of-state appraisers. A trainee appraises only under the direct supervision of a certified appraiser. Licensed residential covers noncomplex one-to-four unit property with a transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex one-to-four unit property under $400,000. Certified residential covers one-to-four unit residential property without regard to value or complexity, and certified general covers real property of all types.

Maryland issues four appraiser credentials: Appraiser Trainee, Licensed Real Estate Appraiser, Certified Residential, and Certified General. A trainee works under a supervising certified appraiser and needs 75 hours of qualifying education. The Licensed credential (150 hours) covers non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties under $1,000,000 and complex residential or commercial properties under $250,000. Certified Residential (200 hours) covers all 1-4 unit residential property, and Certified General (300 hours plus a bachelor's degree) covers all real property.

Massachusetts issues four appraiser credentials: Trainee, State Licensed, Certified Residential, and Certified General. A Trainee completes 75 hours of education and works under a supervisor. State Licensed requires 150 hours, 1,000 hours of experience in no fewer than 6 months, and no college degree. Certified Residential requires 200 hours, 1,500 hours in no fewer than 12 months, and a Bachelor's degree or 30 hours of college coursework. Certified General requires 300 hours, 3,000 hours in no fewer than 18 months (1,500 non-residential), and a Bachelor's degree or higher.

The Mississippi Appraisal Board (MAB) issues four appraiser credentials: Appraiser Intern (trainee), Licensed Residential Appraiser, Certified Residential Appraiser, and Certified General Appraiser. A trainee works under a certified supervisor and cannot sign reports or set the final value. Licensed Residential (158 education hours, 1,000 experience hours) covers non-complex 1-4 unit homes up to $1,000,000 and complex ones up to $400,000. Certified Residential (200 hours, 1,500 hours) covers all 1-4 unit homes, while Certified General (300 hours, 3,000 hours) covers all real property.

Montana issues four appraiser credentials through the Board of Real Estate Appraisers: Trainee, Licensed, Certified Residential, and Certified General. Trainee requires 83 hours of qualifying education and work under a board-approved Mentor. Licensed requires 158 hours and 1,000 experience hours in at least 6 months, and covers non-complex 1-4 unit homes under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 unit homes under $400,000. Certified Residential requires 200 hours and 1,500 experience hours over 12 months; Certified General requires 300 hours and 3,000 hours over 18 months, and covers all real property.

Nebraska issues Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General credentials, plus a trainee level that is not federally recognized. Licensed Residential requires 158 class hours and 1,000 experience hours and covers non-complex 1-4 unit residential property; Certified Residential requires 200 class hours and 1,500 experience hours and covers all 1-4 unit residential property; Certified General requires 300 class hours, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 experience hours and covers all real property. Trainees work under a supervisory appraiser.

Nevada issues four appraiser credentials: Registered Intern (the trainee level), Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General. A Registered Intern works only under a supervisory appraiser and does not appear on the National Registry, because the trainee level is not federally recognized. A Licensed Residential appraiser covers non-complex 1-4 unit residential property under $1,000,000 in transaction value. Certified Residential removes the transaction-value limit, and Certified General has no property-type or value limit.

New Hampshire issues four real estate appraiser credentials: Apprentice Appraiser (the trainee level), Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General. Licensed Residential covers non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with a transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 unit properties under $400,000. Certified Residential covers 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity. Certified General covers all types of real property.

New York issues four appraiser credentials: State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser Assistant, State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser, State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser, and State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. The assistant works under a state-certified supervisor. The Licensed category is limited to noncomplex 1-4 family units with transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 family units under $250,000. Certified Residential covers 1-4 family units without regard to value or complexity, and Certified General may appraise all types of real property.

The North Carolina Appraisal Board issues four levels of credential: Registered Trainee, Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General. A Licensed Residential appraiser may appraise non-complex one-to-four unit property with a transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex one-to-four unit property under $400,000. Certified Residential covers one-to-four unit residential property without value or complexity limits, and Certified General covers all property types. Trainees work under the immediate supervision of a certified appraiser.

North Dakota issues four appraiser credentials: apprentice, licensed, certified residential, and certified general. An apprentice may only assist a certified appraiser, who accepts full responsibility. A licensed appraiser may appraise noncomplex 1-4 family residential property up to $1,000,000 transaction value, complex 1-4 family property up to $250,000, and noncomplex nonresidential property up to $250,000. A certified residential appraiser may appraise 1-4 family property without regard to value or complexity; a certified general appraiser may appraise all property types.

Ohio issues four appraiser credentials: Registered Appraiser Assistant (the trainee level), Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General. The assistant level requires qualifying education but no experience or exam. Licensed Residential requires 1,000 experience hours over at least 6 months; Certified Residential requires 1,500 hours over at least 12 months plus college-level education; Certified General requires 3,000 hours over at least 18 months (1,500 non-residential) and a bachelor's degree. Licensed and certified applicants must also pass the state exam.

Oklahoma issues four credentials: Trainee, State Licensed, State Certified Residential, and State Certified General Appraiser. A Trainee works only under supervision, within the scope of the supervisory appraiser's credential. State Licensed covers non-complex 1-4 unit residential property under $1,000,000 in value and complex 1-4 unit property under $400,000. Certified Residential covers all 1-4 unit residential property without regard to value, and Certified General covers all real property at any value. Only the three higher credentials appear on the federal Appraiser Registry.

The State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers issues the licensed appraiser trainee, Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser, Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, Certified Broker/Appraiser, and Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator credentials, and registers appraisal management companies. A trainee works under a supervisor and may not reach an independent determination of value, while Certified Residential requires 1,500 experience hours and Certified General requires a bachelor's degree and 3,000 hours. Pennsylvania does not issue the national Licensed Residential credential.

Rhode Island issues four appraiser credentials, in ascending order of education and experience: Licensed Trainee, Licensed Residential Real Estate Appraiser, Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser, and Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. Trainees must work under a supervisory appraiser. Licensed Residential covers non-complex 1-4 unit homes under $1,000,000 and complex ones under $400,000; Certified Residential covers 1-4 units regardless of value; Certified General covers all property types.

South Carolina issues four levels of real property appraiser credential. A state-licensed appraiser may appraise noncomplex 1-4 unit residential properties under $1 million and complex 1-4 unit or nonresidential properties under $500,000. A state-certified residential appraiser may appraise 1-4 unit residential properties regardless of value or complexity, plus nonresidential properties under $500,000. A state-certified general appraiser may appraise all types of real property, and an apprentice appraiser works only under a certified appraiser's supervision.

South Dakota issues four appraiser credentials. State-Registered Trainee is the entry level: 83 hours of qualifying education, no experience, and no national exam. State-Licensed requires 158 hours of education, 1,000 hours of experience over at least 6 months, and the national exam. State-Certified Residential requires 200 hours, 1,500 hours of experience over at least 12 months including 750 residential hours, and a degree or an approved alternative. State-Certified General requires 300 hours, 3,000 hours over at least 18 months including 1,500 non-residential hours, and a bachelor's degree.

Tennessee offers four appraiser credentials: Registered Trainee, Real Estate Appraiser (Licensed), Certified Residential, and Certified General. A Registered Trainee works under the direct supervision of a sponsor. A Licensed appraiser may value noncomplex 1-4 family homes under $1,000,000, complex homes and other real property under $250,000, and agricultural properties up to $1,000,000. Certified Residential covers all noncomplex 1-4 family homes with no value limit, and Certified General covers all property types with no transaction value limit.

Texas issues four appraiser credentials. A Trainee (87 qualifying hours) appraises only under a supervisor. A Licensed Residential appraiser (158 hours plus 1,000 hours over at least 6 months) covers non-complex 1-4 unit homes under $1,000,000 and complex ones under $400,000. A Certified Residential appraiser (200 hours, a college option, and 1,500 hours over 12 months) appraises 1-4 unit homes regardless of value or complexity. A Certified General appraiser (300 hours, a Bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours over 18 months, 1,500 of them non-residential) appraises all real property.

Utah follows the four-level credential ladder set by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB). A Trainee Appraiser works under a supervisory appraiser and cannot independently appraise property for federally related transactions. A Licensed Residential appraiser may appraise non-complex 1-4 unit homes with a transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex ones under $400,000. A Certified Residential appraiser may appraise 1-4 unit homes without value limits. A Certified General appraiser may appraise all property types, including commercial and land.

There are four real property appraiser classifications, but Vermont no longer issues the Licensed Residential credential to new applicants. The Trainee level requires 83 qualifying education hours and supervised work under a certified appraiser. Certified Residential requires 200 qualifying education hours, 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, and a bachelor's degree.

Washington issues four appraiser credentials: state-registered trainee, state-licensed, certified residential, and certified general. A trainee must work under a certified supervisor to gain experience hours. A state-licensed appraiser handles non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties, certified residential covers 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to transaction value, and certified general covers all types of real property. Trainee registration costs $400; each exam-level credential costs $1,160 ($740 application plus $420 certification).

West Virginia licenses appraisers in three classifications: state licensed residential, state certified residential, and state certified general, plus a trainee-level apprentice permit established by board rule. A licensed residential appraiser may appraise noncomplex 1-4 unit homes valued under $1 million, complex 1-4 unit homes under $250,000, and nonresidential property under $100,000. A certified residential appraiser may appraise any 1-4 unit residential property regardless of value or complexity. A certified general appraiser may appraise all types of real estate.

Wisconsin issues three appraiser credentials: Licensed, Certified Residential, and Certified General. Licensed covers complex 1-4 family homes up to $400,000, non-complex homes up to $1,000,000, and commercial property up to $500,000. Certified Residential covers 1-4 family homes of any value, and Certified General covers all property types. Requirements also rise by level: 150 course hours and 1,000 experience hours for Licensed, 200 hours and 1,500 hours for Certified Residential, and 300 hours plus a bachelor's degree and 3,000 hours for Certified General.

The federal system recognizes three classifications: State Licensed, State Certified Residential, and State Certified General. Wyoming does not offer a Licensed Residential application path, so the Board's certified permits are Certified Residential and Certified General. Certified Residential requires 1,500 hours of logged experience; Certified General requires a bachelor's degree or higher and 3,000 logged hours, at least 50% of them non-residential. Wyoming also registers Certified Appraiser Trainees, who must work under a supervisor, and issues reciprocal and temporary practice permits.