The Washington Board of Appraisers have identified three levels of real property appraisal classification:
State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser
State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser
State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser
Current Washington Appraiser License Requirements
The Washington Board of Real Estate Appraisers has established the minimum educational requirements for an appraisal license. The minimum educational requirements include the following:
State-registered Real Estate Appraiser Trainee
Before you are eligible to register as a State-registered Real Estate Appraiser Trainee, you must complete a total of 75 classroom hours of approved real estate appraisal courses, including all of the following: Basic Appraisal Principles, Basic Appraisal Procedures, 15 hr USPAP
No experience required
no College requirements.
State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser
Successfully complete a total of 150 classroom hours of approved real estate appraisal courses.
Possess two years (24 calendar months and 2000 hours) of real estate appraiser experience. Hours may be treated as cumulative in order to achieve the necessary hours of appraisal experience.
College-level requirements: None
State Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser
Successfully complete a total of 200 classroom hours of approved real estate appraisal courses.
Possess 2500 hours of appraisal experience obtained continuously over a period of no less than 24 months. Hours may be treated as cumulative in order to achieve the necessary hours of appraisal experience.
College-level requirements: Associate degree or higher. In lieu of the required degree, 21 semester credit hours covering the following subject matter courses: English Composition; Principles of Economics (Micro or Macro); Finance; Algebra, Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and Business or Real Estate Law.
State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser
Successfully complete a total of 300 classroom hours of approved real estate appraisal courses.
Possess 3000 hours of appraisal experience obtained continuously over a period of no less than 30 months. At least 1500 hours must be in non-residential appraising. Hours may be treated as cumulative in order to achieve the necessary hours of appraisal experience.
College-level requirements: Bachelors degree or higher. In lieu of the required degree, 31 semester credit hours covering the following subject matter courses: English Composition; Principles of Economics (Micro or Macro); Finance; Algebra, Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and Business or Real Estate Law; and 2 elective courses in accounting, geography, ag-economics, business management, or real estate.
IMPORTANT: For detailed information on understanding the 2008 Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria, please follow this link to the Appraisal Foundation.
UPCOMING CHANGES TO REAL PROPERTY APPRAISER QUALIFICATIONS
Beginning January 1, 2015, the AQB has made significant changes to appraisal qualifications. It is possible that some states may choose to implement the changes sooner, so be sure to check with your state regulator.
IMPORTANT CHANGE: Increased College Degree Requirements
Implications: After 1/1/15, you must hold a bachelor's degree to obtain the Certified Residential license level or beyond. If you achieve this license level prior to 1/1/15, you will be grandfathered under the old regulations.
CLASSIFICATION
CURRENT REQUIREMENTS
January 1, 2015 REQUIREMENTS
Trainee Appraiser
None
None
Licensed Residential Appraiser
None
30 semester credit hours of collegelevel education from an accredited college, junior college, community college, or university OR an Associate’s degree or higher (in any field).
Certified Residential Appraiser
21 semester credit hours in specified collegiate subject matter courses from an accredited college or university OR an Associate’s degree or higher.
Bachelor’s degree or higher (in any field) from an accredited college or university.
Certified General Appraiser
30 semester credit hours in specific collegiate subject matter courses from an accredited college or university OR a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Bachelor’s degree or higher (in any field) from an accredited college or university.
IMPORTANT CHANGE: Experience Hours are Required BEFORE taking the licensing exam.
Implications: For the Licensed, Certified Residential and Certified General license levels, the required experience must be completed prior to taking the licensing exam. If you intend to upgrade your license prior to the 1/1/15 rules change, you need to be sure that you have enough time to complete your experience hours.
State Regulatory Agency
Business and Professions Division, Real Estate Appraiser Program
Mr. Cleotis Borner, Jr.: Program Manager
P.O. Box 9015
Olympia, WA 98507-9015
(360) 664-6504 Click for State Website
