Course Approval Program
Eligibility requirements and submission guidelines for obtaining course approval through the AQB’s Course Approval Program.
Overview
The Course Approval Program (CAP), developed by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB), helps ensure real property appraisal courses meet the AQB’s minimum qualification criteria. Created as a service to state regulatory agencies and education providers, CAP offers a centralized and convenient way to access AQB-approved courses that meet established education standards for appraiser qualifications.
While participation in CAP is voluntary, the program is strongly recommended to both regulators and education providers to help promote consistency and quality in appraiser education.
Steps to Obtain Course Approval
Step 1: Review Requirements
Before applying, review all requirements to ensure your course and documentation meet CAP requirements.
Step 2: Prepare Course Material
Prepare your course content and documentation in accordance with the Criteria and CAP Policies. Required materials include:
- Instructor qualifications
- Completed application and course materials
- Learning objectives
- Quizzes and final exams
- Instructional hours
- Delivery format (in-person or online)
Step 3: Review Delivery Mechanism Approval
CAP provides Delivery Mechanism Approval for asynchronous (self-paced online) courses to help lower costs, speed up the approval process, and encourage innovation in course delivery methods. This approval option serves as an alternative, not a replacement, for IDECC/ARELLO.
If your course is asynchronous, it must be delivered through an AQB-approved delivery platform.
Approved options include:
- The AQB through the Course Approval Program (CAP)
- An AQB-approved organization that provides approval of course design and delivery (such as The Appraisal Foundation or another approved entity)
- An accredited college or university that awards academic credit for the distance education course and meets AQB criteria
- A qualifying college or university with an approved distance education delivery program that incorporates interactivity and approves both course content and delivery
If you are interested in becoming an AQB-approved delivery mechanism entity, please review the CAP policies and procedures and complete this application.
Step 4: Submit Application
Once everything is ready, submit your course package as a complete electronic file. This includes the application form, course materials, and payment (fee varies by course type and length).
Information for Education Providers
Any school, organization, person, or other entity that owns the proprietary rights to a course is eligible to apply for course approval under CAP for qualifying and/or continuing education.
To apply for CAP approval, review the Course Submission Tutorial and create an account on the Foundation's application submission platform, SurveyMonkey Apply. As a part of your application process, you will upload your complete Course Submission Documents. All applications must be submitted electronically via the submission platform.
Education providers are not required to apply and state appraiser regulatory agencies are not required to recognize CAP-approved courses. However, obtaining CAP approval can help streamline the course review process and support consistency across states. If your agency is interested in using CAP-approved courses as part of your state’s approval process, we’re here to support you!
Even if a course is approved through CAP, providers must still meet any additional requirements set by the specific state(s) where they seek approval or recognition.
Information for State Regulators
State appraiser regulatory agencies are not required to recognize CAP-approved courses — but for those who choose to do so, CAP offers a convenient and reliable way to review pre-approved course materials.
If your agency is interested in using CAP-approved courses as part of your state’s approval process, we’re here to support you!
The Course Approval Program operates through an electronic application system that allows state regulators to view hundreds of CAP-approved courses via a secure, password-protected website.
Access to the website is limited to state regulatory agency personnel. To request access, you’ll need to provide identification information, which will be verified by the Foundation.
Q&As for the Course Approval Program
Most courses take approximately 7 weeks total:
- 4 weeks for primary review
- 2 weeks in quality control
- 1 week for final review by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB)
There are three exceptions:
Valuation Bias and Fair Housing (VBFH) courses:
About 4 weeks for initial review, followed by 2 weeks with a VBFH reviewer and 2 weeks in Quality Control.
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) courses:
About 2 weeks for an initial USPAP review, 4 weeks for primary review, and 2 weeks in Quality Control. If revisions are needed, additional review time may apply.
Renewal courses:
Typically reviewed within 2 weeks, followed by Board approval.
Most courses take approximately 7 weeks total:
- 4 weeks for primary review
- 2 weeks in quality control
- 1 week for final review by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB)
There are three exceptions:
Valuation Bias and Fair Housing (VBFH) courses:
About 4 weeks for initial review, followed by 2 weeks with a VBFH reviewer and 2 weeks in Quality Control.
Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) courses:
About 2 weeks for an initial USPAP review, 4 weeks for primary review, and 2 weeks in Quality Control. If revisions are needed, additional review time may apply.
Renewal courses:
Typically reviewed within 2 weeks, followed by Board approval.
