License Information
Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria
In order to be issued an appraisal license, OREA requires applicants to meet all the criteria established by the Appraisal Qualifications Board of the Appraisal Foundation.
Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria (AQB)
Real Property Appraiser Qualifications (AQB) changes effective 2015
Reciprocal Agreements
OREA has reciprocal agreements with some other states for licenses above the Trainee Level.
Temporary Practice Permits
Appraisers who hold a valid license in good standing in another state may apply for a Temporary Practice Permit
LiveScan Fingerprinting
OREA processes applicant fingerprints via Live Scan at the time the applicant is approved for the examination. Please note, if you are applying for a California appraiser license, but are located out of state, your fingerprints must be submitted on two (2) FD-258 fingerprint cards with your application.
For an updated list of LiveScan fingerprinting locations, use the following link: http://caag.state.ca.us/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm
License Requirements
Levels of Licensure
There are four levels of real estate appraiser licensing. They are:
- AT - Trainee License
- AL - Residential License
- AR - Certified Residential License
- AG - Certified General License
Requirements of Each License Level
| Category | Trainee License | Residential License | Certified Residential License |
Certified General License |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | 150 Hours of education covering 7 modules including 15 hour National USPAP course module. Education may not be more than 5 years old | 150 Hours of education covering 7 modules including 15 hour National USPAP course module | 200 Hours of education covering 10 modules, including 15 hour National USPAP Course and an Associate Degree. In lieu of a Degree 21 semester credits in specific subject matters may be substituted | 300 Hours of education covering 10 modules, including 15 hour National USPAP Course and a Bachelors Degree. In lieu of a Degree 30 semester credits in specific subject matters may be substituted |
| Experience | Once Licensed: Must be supervised by a certified residential or general licensee in good standing. Supervising appraiser may have no more than three trainees |
A minimum of 2000 hours encompassing 12 months of acceptable experience | A minimum 2,500 hours encompassing at least 30 months of acceptable experience | A minimum 3,000 hours encompassing at least 30 months of acceptable experience. At least 1,500 hours of the experience must be non-residential |
| Scope | Any property which the supervising appraiser is permitted to appraise | Any non-complex 1-4 family property with a transaction value up to $1 million; and non-residential property with a transaction value up to $250,000 | Any 1-4 family property without regard to transaction value or complexity; and non-residential property with a transaction value up to $250,000 | All real estate without regard to transaction value or complexity |
USPAP Only Renewals
A USPAP Renewal is the first renewal after the beginning of your CE Cycle. This renewal requires documentation of the seven-hour National USPAP Update Course taken sometime within the license term. This course applies towards the total number of continuing education hours required to renew in the subsequent license cycle.
Some USPAP renewals may be submitted online.
CE Cycle Renewals
A CE Renewal is the second renewal after the beginning of your CE Cycle. This renewal must not only include documentation of a seven-hour National USPAP Update Course taken in your USPAP only renewal (above) within the first 2 years of the license term, but also must have documentation of 49 additional hours (including an additional seven-hour National USPAP Update Course taken within the second 2 years of the license term) of continuing education taken within the CE Cycle. In order to avoid a potential lapse in your license renewal applications should be submitted 90 days prior to your expiration date.
All acceptable continuing education must be taken within the licensees CE Cycle. A licensees original CE Cycle start date will begin with the issuance date of their initial license, and normally runs for a period of four years provided the USPAP Renewal is not renewed on a late basis. The ending date of a CE Cycle will be the expiration date of the CE Renewal. The CE Cycle then starts over and the licensees new CE Cycle Start date will be the issuance date of the CE Renewal.
Some CE renewals may be submitted online.
Late Renewals
There is a two year grace period in which a licensee may renew their license late. However, during this period the license is not valid. Therefore, the licensee may not represent himself as licensed and cannot legally perform appraisals that require a license. In addition, seven hours of continuing education is required for each six month period the license is late. The additional continuing education is required to be submitted at the time of the CE Renewal.
Please note: If a license within a CE Cycle is renewed during the two-year grace period that follows a license expiration, the continuing education requirement will continue to accrue in the amount of seven hours for each six-month period that the a license application is late.
Upgrades
Current licenses may be upgraded to a higher level. However, upgrading a license does not extend the term of the current license. The upgraded license will have the same expiration date as the original license. Therefore, expired licenses cannot be upgraded.
Also, licensees who submit an upgrade application within six months of the expiration date of their current license should also submit a renewal application with all applicable fees and continuing education requirements.
For additional information call:
Tel. (916) 552-9000
FAX (916) 552-9007
or write:
Office of Real Estate Appraisers
1102 Q St., Suite 4100
Sacramento, CA 95811