Appraisal FAQs

Straight answers to the questions people ask about appraisal licensing, with the answer for every state we cover.

4 of 4 questions

How long does it take to complete PAREA?
Most participants finish the Licensed Residential PAREA program in about 12 months and the Certified Residential program in about 6 months, with a weekly commitment of roughly 10 to 20 hours. The programs allow up to 12 months to complete the practice assignments and up to 6 months for the final graded assignments.
How much does a PAREA program cost?
PAREA programs are developed by independent education providers and approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board, so costs vary by provider and track. Expect an investment of several thousand dollars for a Licensed Residential or Certified Residential module. The Pathways to Success Scholarship, administered through the Appraiser Development Initiative, covers PAREA enrollment costs, and applications are rolling.
What do reviews say about PAREA programs?
Published feedback on PAREA (Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal) programs is positive. An April 2025 program update reported that every graduate who had taken the licensing exam passed on the first attempt, and published graduate accounts include a Texas licensee who qualified right after finishing the Licensed Residential module and a Michigan trainee who became licensed after no local appraisers would take her on.
Where can I find approved PAREA programs?
PAREA programs are developed and delivered by independent education providers and must be approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB); The Appraisal Foundation approves the programs but does not create or deliver them. As of August 2025, roughly 51 states and territories recognized PAREA or were establishing rules to do so, but states are not obligated to accept it, so confirm a program's acceptance with your state appraiser regulatory agency before enrolling.