Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria

The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria (Criteria) is issued by the AQB. State appraiser regulatory agencies are required to implement real property appraiser licensing and certification requirements that are no less stringent than those issued by the AQB in the Criteria.

Under the provisions of Title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (FIRREA), the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) establishes the minimum education, experience, and examination requirements for real property appraisers to obtain a state license or certification.

The AQB issues Q&As as a form of guidance to respond to questions raised by appraisers, enforcement officials, users of appraisal services and the public to illustrate the applicability of the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and Interpretations of the Criteria in specific situations and to offer advice from the AQB for the resolution of appraiser issues and problems.

Click here to view previous versions of the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria.

On June 22, 2023 the AQB adopted the Second Exposure Draft of Proposed Changes to the Criteria. The 2026 Criteria  will become effective on January 1, 2026. Please view the Summary of Actions here.

Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA)

The Appraisal Foundation Appraiser Qualifications Board adopted the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) effective January 1, 2021. These new minimum Criteria provide another pathway for aspiring appraisers to fulfill their experience requirements by taking advantage of innovative technology. PAREA is designed to offer practical experience in a virtual environment combining appraisal theory and methodology in real-world simulations. This experience can be provided through a wide range of online and virtual reality technologies. To read the exposure draft of PAREA that lead to adoption, click here. To learn more about PAREA, please visit our PAREA webpage.

Practicum

Practicum courses provide another pathway for aspiring appraisers to fulfill their experience requirements by taking by taking advantage of programs which offer practical experience in a real environment. The Appraiser Qualifications Board created the program as an alternative to the traditional supervisor/trainee model for gaining appraisal experience. To learn more about practicum, please visit our practicum webpage.

Helpful Resources

Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria (effective Jan 1, 2022)
2022 Summary of Actions related to Criteria Changes
2026 Summary of Actions related to Criteria Changes
Student Tracking Form
Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria Q&As 
National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination