Common California Appraisal Questions
The information included in this page is designed to provide you with everything you need to know to become a licensed real estate appraiser in the state of California. It contains the license and training requirements, examination and renewal information, and other commonly asked questions to help you get started in your new career. If you have further questions, please contact an Allied representative at (888) 751-2286.
What exactly does an appraiser do? What kind of jobs can an appraiser qualify for?
An appraiser inspects real property (land and/or structures) to estimate an accurate value and verify the condition of the property and its improvements. An appraiser must have in-depth knowledge of building techniques, geography, finance, and economics to arrive at a representative value of the appraised property. In order to secure any bank loans, the property must have an appraisal by a licensed appraiser.
Appraisers often work for themselves. They can also work for mortgage firms, real estate brokers, lenders, corporations, and government agencies. Anyone that wants to invest in real estate needs accurate and concise information describing the property, its condition, and its value.
Real estate appraisal is an excellent additional skill for real estate salespeople, brokers, home inspectors, or other professionals who deal in the real estate industry.
What are the differences between Residential, Certified Residential and Certified General appraiser licenses?
There are state by state variations; however, as a general rule the dollar value of the property being appraised is the primary factor that indicates what license level is required to effectively appraise it. Contact Allied for further information.
Is NOW a good time to start my appraisal career?
Absolutely! Appraisal services are a vital part of the real estate process – no home can be sold without an appraiser. Even in a slow market, appraisers are essential to the real estate field. When people refinance their home, a real estate appraisal is a necessary part of the transaction.
The good news is that the real estate appraisal field is expected to grow. Due to an increasing population over the next decade, the real estate industry is projected to provide additional employment opportunities as more people require housing.
With a thriving economy, individuals will be more likely to buy a new house or re-finance their existing house. Employment of real estate appraisers is expected to grow as levels of real estate activity increase in markets across the country. This activity will result in a greater need for licensed appraisers to provide accurate and reliable property valuations.
What are the California appraisal license requirements?
As of January 1, 2008, there will be new educational requirements for students wanting to get their real estate appraisal license. The number of education hours for a licensed appraiser will change from 90 hours to 150 hours. Allied’s Appraisal Licensing Package meets the new Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) and Office of Real Estate Appraisers (OREA) regulations and provides students with the educational hours they need.
Allied prepares you for the following two appraiser license levels:
- AT - Trainee License: After completing Allied’s program and passing the state exam, you’ll fulfill the requirements for an Appraisal Trainee License.
- AL - Residential License: Once you complete all of your work experience, you’ll meet the requirements for an Appraisal Residential License, with the qualifications to do your own appraisals.
Education
You must successfully complete the specified hours of approved real estate appraisal courses for each type of license, including a course of at least 15 hours that covers the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). The 2008 educational requirements include:
- 150 hours for the appraisal trainee classification.
- 150 hours for the licensed residential classification.
Experience
- There is no experience requirement for the appraiser trainee classification. As a trainee, you must work under the technical supervision of a licensed appraiser. You may assist on any appraisal within the scope of practice of the supervising appraiser.
- Applicants for a residential license shall have a minimum of 2,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience encompassing a period of no less than 12 months.
Why should I take appraisal courses from Allied?
Allied is approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB), as well as an affiliate member of the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers (NAREA). We have partnered with NAREA in order to offer our students a free one-year membership to a professional trade association. Membership to this organization offers appraisers the following great benefits:
- Internet listing
- Subscription to The Appraisal Times (the official newsletter of the NAREA).
- Useful appraisal supplements and guides to assist you in appraising quickly and accurately according to current standards.
- Eligibility to attend NAREA's annual trade show and conferences.
- NAREA Code of Ethics, suitable for framing.
- And much more!
The Allied family has been in education and publishing since 1979 and offers a full-time student services department with Internet, fax, and e-mail capabilities. With this assistance, along with our trained counselors, help is only a phone call away. Allied has the most up-to-date materials available, which includes software, sample tests and review materials that will help you pass the state exam on your first try! Also, Allied’s appraisal courses meet specific AQB and OREA requirements.
What is the difference between the online Appraisal Licensing Package and the traditional correspondence package?
The online package adds even more convenience to courses that were already designed to be flexible, comprehensive and available any time!
Our online Appraisal Licensing Package will save you time. With online studying, you can start the courses right now - instead of waiting until you receive your package via UPS. Also, your quizzes and final exams are graded instantly for you online, which increases your study speed and memory retention!
With the online courses, the entire first chapters of the textbooks will be on your computer! You can start reading Chapter 1 and take the first quiz within minutes of enrolling. As soon as you sign up for the online package, we ship you the full Appraisal Licensing Package, so you can continue with your studies whenever you are ready.
All quizzes are online, as are all of the final exams. With the online courses, the final exam may be taken in your home or office - a proctor is required. Let us show you how – it’s easy!
Why should I take a distance education course instead of a live class?
Distance education is a win-win situation. Not only do you get a quality education, but you can complete the course in a flexible, convenient and fast manner. You have all of the benefits of a live class – teacher/student interaction, relevant course material, ongoing student support – with the added benefits of learning from home.
Below is a list of just some of the differences:
| Drive to class and sit in a classroom |
vs. |
Learn from the comfort of your home |
| Learn limited amount of material in class |
vs. |
Learn as quick as you want from home |
| Take your final exam at school |
vs. |
Take your final exam online from your home or office |
| Balance work/family issues |
vs. |
Choose to learn when it’s convenient |
A live class does not let you be in charge of your education. Allied’s distance education options let you choose where, when and how to learn.
What are Allied’s approval numbers?
Allied is approved by the Office of Real Estate Appraisers (OREA) to provide comprehensive appraisal training to students in the state of California.
Allied's approval numbers are:
- Course Provider: CP828203
- Real Estate Appraisal (75): 06828010
- 15-hour USPAP: 05828009
- 7-hour USPAP: 03542C106
- Appraisal License Renewal (56): 03542C107
How can I get started with Allied's Appraisal Licensing Package?
Allied's Appraisal Licensing Package includes all required instructional materials, supplemental reading, a workbook, clipboard and other materials. From the moment you enroll, you will have everything you need at your fingertips. Enroll online or contact a friendly Admissions Representative at (888) 751-2286 for assistance today.
What do I need to have to apply for the California appraisal license examination?
As a condition for entry to the examination, you are required to present one of the following forms of identification (it must include a photograph, signature and birth date):
- A currently valid driver’s license or identification card issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles or equivalent agency.
- A currently valid military identification card.
- A currently valid identification document issued by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Services.
Also as a condition for entry to the examination, you are required to present the original examination admit letter as issued by the OREA.
What is involved in the examination application process?
Prior to taking the appraisal license exam, you must first submit the required application and fee to the OREA office. You can download the appropriate forms at the California Office of Real Estate Appraisers’ website (www.orea.ca.gov/html/forms.shtml). If you are approved to take the examination, you will be sent an Admission to Examination Letter and booklet on how to schedule your examination.
Although OREA makes every effort to process all applications as quickly as possible, the processing times can vary. They are unable to estimate a general turnaround time for applications.
Remember that you have one year after taking the state exam to apply for your California real estate appraisal license.
What is the current schedule for exams? Where are the exam locations?
The examination is currently offered several times per week, at the following locations: San Diego, Riverside, Glendale, Oakland, Sacramento, Bakersfield, Las Vegas (NV) and Reno (NV).
What happens after I pass the state exam?
The Office of Real Estate Appraisers (OREA) requires that you complete specific hours of “on-the-job” experience after you take the California appraisal license exam. When you successfully complete the exam and satisfy the required hours of work experience, you will then become a Licensed Residential Appraiser. To upgrade your license, you will be required to complete further education and/or work experience.
How can I gain acceptable experience as an unlicensed appraiser?
To earn acceptable hours of experience as an unlicensed appraiser, or trainee licensee, you must work under the direct supervision of a licensed appraiser in good standing. The supervisor must be licensed at the appropriate level for the type of property being appraised. In addition, you may work for more than one supervisor. You must either:
- Sign the appraisal report as the appraiser; or
- Be recognized in the certification statement (or the Reconciliation Section of the report) with a description of the specific tasks performed while assisting with the appraisal.
Please note that supervising appraisers must be licensed and in good standing at the Certified Residential or Certified General level. Additionally, supervisors must have no more than three trainees under their supervision at any one time.
An individual who is unlicensed may obtain appraisal experience in any of the following ways:
- By providing “significant real property appraisal assistance” to a licensed appraiser and properly identifying the assistance in the appraisal report. If unlicensed individuals perform at least 75% of the professional appraisal work and the appraisal conforms to USPAP, the experience can qualify under Category 10 (Assistance in the Preparation of Appraisals), up to a maximum of 400 hours.
- By performing the entire appraisal process under the direct technical supervision of a licensed appraiser. The final conclusion to value is made by and the appraisal is signed by the licensed appraiser, with the unlicensed individual’s duties properly identified in the report. If the unlicensed individual performs all appraisal methods customarily used for the assignment and the appraisal conforms to USPAP, the experience can qualify under Category 1 (Fee and Staff Appraisal).
- By performing appraisals in non-federally related transactions. If the appraisals were performed for a business purpose and conform to USPAP, the experience can qualify under Category 1.
As a trainee licensee, how can I find a supervising appraiser?
You can contact some of the professional appraisal organizations (Appraisal Institute, American Society of Appraisers, etc.) in your area to see if any of their members are looking for trainee appraisers. If not, ask to get on their newsletter mailing list because opportunities for trainees may arise.
You may also consider contacting the County Assessor's office to see if there are any opportunities there.
You may also find appraisers by checking the “Find an Appraiser” page on the OREA website. You may perform a search of licensees by license level, in a specific city or by zip codes if you prefer.
How do I renew my appraisal license? What are the continuing education requirements?
All licensed appraisers must meet continuing education requirements before they can renew their license. You can renew your license by paying the appropriate fees and providing proof of successful completion of the 7-hour National USPAP Update Course and 14 hours of continuing education for each calendar year your license is valid.
Although proof of completion of the 7-hour National USPAP Update Course is required every two years and must be submitted with each renewal application, proof of completion of the remaining continuing education courses is required every four years. Applicants must complete a total of 56 hours of continuing education during the four-year cycle.
Why do I have to submit documentation of legal presence (eligibility to work in the U.S.)? Didn't I submit this with my original application?
All applications require that you provide acceptable documentation of your legal presence (eligibility to work) in the United States.
Please note, once we have this information on file, you will not be required to submit it again. In addition, you may submit this information at any time; you are not required to wait until you submit an application.