What is the career path for a real estate appraiser?
Most appraisers start as a Trainee Appraiser: 83 hours of qualifying education, no exam, working under a supervisory certified appraiser. From there they add education and experience to reach Licensed Residential (158 education hours, 1,000 experience hours), Certified Residential (200 and 1,500), or Certified General (300 and 3,000, including 1,500 non-residential), each with a national exam. Experience can be earned through the supervisor-trainee model, practicum courses, or PAREA, a virtual training alternative. Certified General appraisers may appraise all types of real property.
The New Mexico path runs from trainee to licensed or certified appraiser. You first register as a trainee, requiring 83 hours of qualifying education and either a declared supervisor or enrollment in a Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) program. Licensed Residential requires 158 hours and 1,000 experience hours in no fewer than 6 months; Certified Residential 200 hours and 1,500 hours in no fewer than 12 months; Certified General 300 hours and 3,000 hours in no fewer than 18 months. Out-of-state licensed or certified appraisers can also qualify through reciprocity.
Sources: NM REAB: Trainee Appraiser Application User Guide (July 2026); AQB Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria — Effective January 1, 2026 (summary chart); NM REAB: Licensed Residential Appraiser Application User Guide (July 2026); NM REAB: Residential Certified Appraiser Application User Guide (July 2026); NM REAB: General Certified Appraiser Application User Guide (July 2026).
Utah's appraiser career ladder runs Trainee Appraiser, Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General. You begin as a trainee, and you must apply for and hold a state registration in Utah before logging experience hours; a trainee may appraise only within the scope of the supervisory appraiser's credential and competence. After 1,000 experience hours in no fewer than 6 months and 158 hours of qualifying education, you can sit for the Licensed Residential exam, then upgrade to higher credentials with more education and experience.
Sources: AQB 2026 Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria summary chart (effective January 1, 2026).
An appraiser's career begins as a trainee, working under a Certified Residential or Certified General supervisor who reviews and signs all appraisals. Trainees then pursue the Certified Residential credential, which requires 200 qualifying-education hours and 1,500 experience hours in no fewer than 12 months. Certified General, the top level, requires 300 education hours, 3,000 experience hours including 1,500 non-residential, and a bachelor's degree. Vermont no longer issues the Licensed Residential credential to new applicants.
Sources: AQB 2026 Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and Interpretations (full PDF, mirror hosted by Alaska Board).
Wisconsin's appraiser career path runs from Licensed Appraiser to Certified Residential to Certified General. Wisconsin does not issue a trainee credential, so you can begin gaining qualifying experience under a supervising appraiser before licensure. Each level raises the bar: Licensed requires 150 education hours and 1,000 experience hours in no less than 6 months, Certified Residential requires 200 hours and 1,500 hours in no less than 12 months, and Certified General requires 300 hours and 3,000 hours in no less than 18 months, including 1,500 non-residential hours.
Sources: Wisconsin DSPS: Appraiser, Licensed — Licensure by Examination; Wisconsin DSPS: Appraiser, Certified Residential — Licensure by Examination; Wisconsin Administrative Code § SPS 85.330 (Wisconsin Legislature / DSPS); Wisconsin REALTORS Association — Wisconsin Appraiser Career and Licensing.