How to Get a Massachusetts Real Estate Appraiser License

The Massachusetts Licensure Board of Registration of Real estate Appraisers has identified three levels of real property appraisal classification:

• Licensed Residential Appraiser
• Certified Residential Appraiser
• Certified General Appraiser

Current Massachusetts Real Estate Appraiser License Requirements

Massachusetts has established the minimum educational requirements for an appraisal license. The minimum educational requirements include the following:

Licensed Appraiser: At least 150 hours of appraisal education and training, including 15 hours of ethics and standards of practice; 2,000 hours of appraisal experience over at least 12 months; and passing the Level A licensing examination. The Licensed Appraiser exam must be repeated for this requirement if more than one year has elapsed since passing it for the registered appraiser level. College-level requirements: None

Certified Residential Appraiser: At least 200 hours of appraisal education and training, including 15 hours of ethics and standards of practice; 2,500 hours (including 1,500 hours non-residential) of appraisal experience across at least 30 months; and passing the Certified Residential Appraiser examination. 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.

Certified General Appraiser: At least 300 hours of appraisal education and training, including 15 hours of ethics and standards of practice; 3,000 hours (including 1,500 hours non-residential) of appraisal experience across at least 30 months; and passing the Certified General examination. 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.

Please note: Fifteen (15) hours of Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice are required prior to becoming any level Appraiser.

Massachusetts Appraisal Regulatory Agency

Recent Changes to Real Property Appraiser Qualifications

Beginning January 1, 2015, the AQB has made significant changes to appraisal qualifications. Some states may choose to implement the changes sooner, so be sure to check with your state regulator.

Several important changes are outlined below, with complete details available on this AQB publication:

Upcoming Changes to Real Property Appraiser Qualifications

Important Change: Increased College Degree Requirements

Implications: After January 1, 2015, you must hold a bachelor's degree to obtain the Certified Residential license level or beyond. If you achieve this license level prior to January 1, 2015, you will be grandfathered in under the old regulations.