NOTICE: Extension of Current USPAP

The Appraisal Standards Board voted on August 11, 2022 to extend the effective date of the current 2020-21 USPAP through December 31, 2023. Click here to learn more.

 

What is USPAP?

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) is the generally recognized ethical and performance standards for the appraisal profession in the United States.  USPAP was adopted by Congress in 1989, and contains standards for all types of appraisal services, including real estate, personal property, business and mass appraisal.  Compliance is required for state-licensed and state-certified appraisers involved in federally-related real estate transactions.  

To become a real property appraiser in the United States, appraisers must take the 15-Hour National USPAP Course (or its equivalent).  Additionally, real property appraisers must take the 7-Hour National USPAP Update Course (or its equivalent) once every two calendar years.  Please visit our Q&A webpage to review USPAP Q&As, and visit our store to purchase USPAP or a course Student Manual.  Additionally, the Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice, is the publisher of the Uniform Appraisal Standards for Federal Land Acquisitions, commonly known as the "Yellow Book."  

View the Summary of Actions and Detailed Summary of adopted changes for the 2020-21 edition of USPAP. You can also view Past Summary of Actions for past editions of USPAP.

The Real Property Development, Real Property Reporting and Appraisal Review Standards of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) (collectively known as “Standards”) have been cited by the federal financial institution regulatory agencies in their rulemaking for implementing Title XI of the Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) and are hereby provided to the public.

In addition to these Standards, USPAP contains Standards for mass appraisal, personal property and business valuation.  The USPAP book also includes important guidance in the form of Advisory Opinions and Frequently Asked Questions. Click here to view Advisory Opinion 16: Fair Housing Laws and Appraisal Report Content.

Please visit these links to purchase your copy of the complete book today! 
USPAP Electronic PDF Edition  
USPAP Print Edition

eUSPAP Tutorial


The eUSPAP has enhanced features available in print and electronic versions. The enhanced print version includes cross-references to applicable FAQs.  Additionally, the electronic version includes hyperlinks to FAQs and other relevant references throughout the document, as well as a hyperlinked table of contents, footnotes, and index.   

Click on the image to the left to watch this video on our YouTube page.

USPAP Updates Explained - Hear About Changes in the 2020-2021 USPAP!

 

FAQs

How can I impact USPAP revisions?

The Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) actively seeks the input of appraisers, their clients, users of appraisal services, and regulators. The ASB welcomes all comments and questions on USPAP and receives numerous telephone, electronic, and written inquiries.  In response, the ASB communicates directly with hundreds of individuals each year.

In accordance with its public charge, the ASB is required to issue exposure drafts of all proposed revisions to USPAP Standards and statements.  In addition, though its not required, most Advisory Opinions are also publicly exposed for comment.  All exposure drafts are posted on the Foundation website and are available free of charge by contacting the Foundation directly.  Interested parties can contribute to this process by submitting written comments to [email protected]ndation.org or by offering oral testimony at an ASB public meeting.

How is USPAP enforced?

Although the ASB writes, amends, and interprets USPAP, the Board does not enforce USPAP.  Through FIRREA, the federal government has mandated that the states enforce real property appraiser compliance with USPAP.  Professional appraisal associations also have the legal authority to enforce USPAP compliance by their members.  In addition, many users of appraisal services (such as lenders, mortgage companies, etc.) have adopted USPAP and require employee or contract appraiser compliance to USPAP.  

Complaints regarding real property appraisers should be directed to the state(s) in which they are licensed or certified.  For more information about filing a complaint against a real property appraiser, please visit our Enforcement and Complaints webpage.  Complaints about an appraiser of any other discipline, such as personal property or business valuation, should be forwarded to the professional organization to which the appraiser belongs (when applicable). 

Brochures Related to USPAP

The ASB & USPAP: Information for Appraisers and Their Clients	Appraisers, Appraisals, & You:  A Lender’s Guide to USPAP	A Guide to Understanding  a Residential Appraisal
This brochure is intended to help appraisers and users of appraisal services become more familiar with the role, function, and activities of the ASB and the process by which USPAP is developed and revised.	This brochure will assist lenders in working with an appraiser to properly value collateral as part of the loan underwriting process. This brochure is being updated and will be on the site soon.	This brochure will help you understand a residential appraisal, including what a credible appraisal is and its elements, the appraisal process, the importance of appraiser independence, and how to proceed if you feel that a correction needs to be made to your appraisal report.

Charts Related to USPAP

Yes, I Can Perform that Assignment!	Sample Residential Restricted Appraisal Report	Sample Non-Residential Restricted  Appraisal Report
This chart provides some examples of the many types of assignments an appraiser may perform.	This sample residential Restricted Appraisal Report complies with the 2020-21 edition of USPAP Standards Rule 2-2(b).	This sample non-residential Restricted Appraisal Report complies with the 2020-21 edition of USPAP Standards Rule 2-2(b).