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License Requirements
Download the Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Requirements Handbook in pdf format.
Reciprocal Agreements
OREA has reciprocal agreements with some other states for licenses above the Trainee Level.
LiveScan Fingerprinting
OREA processes applicant fingerprints via Live Scan for California residents. However, in lieu of fingerprinting applicants prior to the application review, we will now request fingerprints at the time the applicant is approved for the examination. Therefore, please submit your application for a real estate appraiser license without completing the fingerprinting process. Please note, if you are applying for a California license, but are located out of state, your fingerprints should be submitted on two (2) FD-258 fingerprint cards with your application.
Note: The Department of Justice no longer accepts fingerprints submitted on the BID-7 fingerprint cards from OREA applicants.
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
This information is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience and examination requirements established by the Appraiser Qualifications Board and the State of California. These minimum requirements became effective on January 1, 2008.
Effective January 1, 2003 the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) of The Appraisal Foundation implemented changes to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course requirements. These changes affect both basic and continuing education courses. Read more.
As with any program, changes may occur. Consult with current statutes, regulations and rules which prevail over the information in this leaflet.
REQUIREMENTS OF EACH LICENSE LEVEL
| Effective January 1, 2008 | 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 |
*The 15 Hour National USPAP Course taught by an AQB Certified Instructor is required to meet the 15 hour USPAP requirement if the course is taken on or after January 1, 2003.
RENEWALS
A license may be renewed by paying the appropriate fees and by providing proof of successful completion of the seven-hour National USPAP Update Course taken within the license term. In addition to the National USPAP Update Course, fourteen hours of continuing education is required for each calendar year in which a license is valid.
CE Cycle
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 Fee /USPAP Renewal is not renewed on a late basis. The ending date of a CE Cycle will be the expiration date of the Full CE Renewal. The CE Cycle then starts over and the licensees new CE Cycle Start date will be the issuance date of the Full CE Renewal.
"Fee/USPAP" Renewals
A Fee/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 within the license term.
This course applies towards the total number of continuing education hours required to renew the subsequent license. Therefore, at that time, assuming a license was not renewed on a "late renewal basis," "Full CE Renewals" will require 49 additional hours of continuing education. The continuing education must include an additional seven-hour National USPAP Update Course.
Please note: If a license within a CE Cycle is renewed during the two-year grace period that follows a license expiration, continuing education will continue to accrue in the amount of seven hours for each six-month period a license application is late. In addition, if your license expires, you may not legally perform real estate appraisals in federally related transactions.
Some Fee/USPAP renewals may be submitted online.
Full CE Renewals
A Full CE Renewal is the second renewal after the beginning of your CE Cycle. This renewal must not only include documentation of the seven-hour National USPAP Update Course taken within the license term, but also must have documentation of submitting 49 additional hours of continuing education taken within the CE Cycle.
Note: OREA approved Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) courses taken prior to January 1, 2003, will not meet the National USPAP Update Course requirement. However, the course will count towards the total number of continuing education hours required to renew a "Full CE Renewal" provided the course was taken within the CE Cycle.
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 with the Full CE Renewal.
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. In order to avoid a lapse in your license renewal applications must be submitted 90 days prior to your expiration date.
Please refer to page 6 of the Licensing Requirements Handbook for complete upgrade 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