Common 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 District of Columbia. 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 (800) 617-3513.
What is Allied’s approval number?
Allied’s 90-hour District of Columbia appraisal license program has an approval number of APP100146. Allied is approved by the Department of Consumer & Regulatory Affairs (DCRA), Business and Professional Licensing Administration (BPLA) to provide comprehensive appraisal training to students in the District of Columbia.
What are the District of Columbia license requirements?
There are two levels of District of Columbia real estate appraiser licenses:
- Appraiser Trainee
- Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser
- Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser
- Certified General Real Property Appraiser
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 specified hours include:
- A minimum of 75 hours of appraisal education acceptable to the department for the appraiser trainee.
- A minimum of 90 hours of appraisal education acceptable to the department for the licensed residential real property appraiser.
- A minimum of 120 hours of appraisal education acceptable to the department for the certified residential real property appraiser.
- A minimum of 180 hours of appraisal education acceptable to the department for the general real property appraiser.
Experience
- There is no experience required for the appraiser trainee. No examination needs to be taken.
- Applicants for a licensed residential real property appraiser license shall have a minimum of 2,000 hours of acceptable documented real estate appraisal work experience gained over a period of not less than 12 months.
- Applicants for a certified residential real property appraiser license shall have a minimum of 2,500 hours of acceptable documented real estate appraisal work experience gained over a period of not less than 24 months (at least 625 hours of property appraisal experience must include complex one to four unit residential real property appraisal work).
- Applicants for a certified residential real property appraiser license shall have a minimum of 3,000 hours of acceptable documented real estate appraisal work experience gained over a period of not less than 30 months (to include at least 1,500 hours of nonresidential real property appraisal experience).
How do I apply for the national examination?
You must successfully pass a national examination approved by the department to become a licensed residential real property appraiser, certified residential real property appraiser or certified general real property appraiser. Promissor, Inc. administers such examinations at various testing centers. You can obtain an application booklet, which contains information regarding fees, test dates, and locations of test centers, by calling (888) 204-6206, downloading an application booklet from www.Promissor.com, or writing to the following address:
Promissor, Inc.
Department DC-AP
Metro-Plex II, Suite 400
Corporate Drive
Landover, MD 20785
What are the continuing education requirements for a District of Columbia appraisal license?
You must complete at least 28 hours of continuing education during the three-year licensing period. You are also required to take the 7-hour USPAP update course within this licensing period. There are no continuing education requirements if you obtain a license during the second year of the two-year period before the date the license expires.
A license or certificate expires on February 28th of each even-numbered year.
I am licensed or certified in another state but I want to appraise property in the District of Columbia. How can I become licensed in the District of Columbia?
If you hold an active license in another jurisdiction and are in good standing, you can apply for a license in the District of Columbia via reciprocity. You must submit the appropriate materials and pay the prescribed fee.
You need to request a Letter of Certification from your original jurisdiction and submit the letter in an envelope sealed by the issuing department or board. The Letter of Certification should show your current status, and the number of pre-licensing and work experience hours required to obtain the license.
How can I get a temporary license to do an appraisal in the District of Columbia?
You can obtain a temporary license to practice real estate appraisal for projects of six months or less. You must demonstrate that you are currently licensed and in good standing in another jurisdiction. You need to request a Letter of Certification from your original jurisdiction and submit the letter in an envelope sealed by the issuing department or board. You must also provide a project description letter that includes the beginning and ending dates of the project.
What is the difference between the online Real Estate Appraisal course and the traditional correspondence course?
The online course adds even more convenience to a course that was already designed to be quick, easy, and comprehensive!
Our new online Real Estate Appraisal course will save you time. With online studying, you can start the course right now - instead of waiting until you receive your course via UPS. Also, your quizzes and final exam are graded instantly for you online, which increases your study speed and memory retention!
With the online course, the entire first chapter of the textbook will be here 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 course, we ship you the full Real Estate Appraisal course, so you may continue on to Chapter 2 whenever you are ready.
All quizzes are online, as is the final exam. With the online course, the final exam may be taken in your own home or office - a monitor is required.
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 a bank loan, 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 specific state information.
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.
Why should I take appraisal courses from Allied?
Allied is approved by the Appraiser Qualification 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:
- E & O Insurance at discounted group rates.
- 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!
For California students: In the state of California, the Office of Real Estate Appraisal (OREA) does not accept distance education courses unless those courses meet specific requirements. To meet these requirements, Allied's appraisal courses have been reviewed by the American Council on Education's College Recommendation Service and these courses have been recommended for college credits. That recommendation allows Allied to provide these courses to you via distance education. Therefore, Allied's appraisal courses have been approved by OREA. and meet the minimum standards set by the national Appraiser Qualification Board (AQB).
Is NOW a good time to start my appraisal career?
ABSOLUTELY! The ever-growing real estate industry can provide an abundance of opportunities for licensed real estate appraisers.
Employment of real estate appraisers is expected to grow as levels of real estate activity increase in markets across the country. This will lead to a greater need for licensed professionals to provide accurate and reliable home appraisals.
A growing population is projected to create a greater housing need in the U.S. With a robust economy, individuals will be more likely to buy, sell, refinance or insure their homes.
Be a part of this exciting field! Now is a GREAT time to get your appraisal license!
How can I get started with Allied's Appraisal course?
Allied's Appraisal course 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 (800) 617-3513 for assistance today.