What is the Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course and who is required to take it?

The Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course is an 8-hour course the Appraiser Qualifications Board added to qualifying education effective January 1, 2026. It is required of new credential applicants, starting with the 83-hour Trainee Appraiser curriculum, and a number of states also require a 7-hour version for renewal continuing education. The course addresses fair housing obligations and valuation bias in appraisal practice.

The Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course is an 8-hour class covering valuation bias and fair housing laws, added to Alaska's appraiser requirements effective January 1, 2026. Every candidate takes it: it is part of the 83 trainee hours and part of both the 200-hour Certified Residential and 300-hour Certified General curricula. Certificate holders also complete it as continuing education, an 8-hour course including a 1-hour exam for the first renewal and a 4-hour update course for second and later renewals (12 AAC 70.220(e)).

The Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations (VBFH) course is an 8-hour qualifying education requirement added to every Kansas appraiser classification effective January 1, 2026, under the AQB criteria. For renewals, Kansas requires a 7-hour VBFH course the first time and at least a 4-hour refresher every two years thereafter.

The Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course teaches the content in the Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations outline set out in the 2026 Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria. Effective January 1, 2026, every apprentice, licensed, and certified appraiser in Montana must complete it every two calendar years. The first time an appraiser takes it, the course must be 7 hours; in each continuing education cycle after that, a 4-hour course satisfies the requirement.