When determining the pricing and costs of real estate appraisal schools, you must take into consideration the costs of exam preparation tools and continuing education costs. If you want an average amount for the total cost of an appraiser education, factor in the cost of a college degree, if you don't already have one. Newer requirements state that a college degree is mandatory for an appraisal license.

There are both on-campus real estate appraiser classes and online classes. The online classes tend to run slightly more than a campus course since technology is involved. However, you save on gas and other travel expenses by taking an appraisal course online. When researching the costs of property appraisal training schools, find out the following:

1. Is there tuition assistance or a tuition discount for veterans? Some schools offer either complete reimbursement or a percentage discount.

2. Does the school have a fair refund policy, including terms that give you money back if you take some, but not all, of the class?

3. What sort of payment plans are available, and is there a discount if you pay the tuition in full?

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Register for appraisal license courses through schools that offer payment plans

The cost of real estate appraisal training can run around $1,200, and that may or may not include the cost of textbooks and other needed supplies. A payment plan is a lifesaver for cash strapped students who don't have that much money available upfront. A payment plan consists of paying in two installments or up to six installments. Most schools do not add extra fees for taking advantage of payment plans.

I recommend: Allied Business Schools offer payment plans that consist of a down payment and then one, two or six payments. The Stratford Career Institute offers a $300 discount for full payment, but also has a plan for up to 15 payments.

Register for online appraiser license courses that offer perks

Some online appraisal schools have perks that come with registering for classes. While these are harder to find than payment plans and veteran's discounts, they are out there.

I recommend: Get a five-day free trial for real estate appraisal certification training from Van Education Center, which also has a fair refund policy. The Career webSchool lets you use your purchased course for up to 90 days after completion. This can save you money by replacing an expensive study guide.

Enhance your real estate appraisal education by ordering textbooks online

Textbooks, exam preparation materials and study materials are available online from publishers and retailers. Shopping online can sometimes land you a good deal, but on average, textbooks run between $45 and $50. Exam prep books are available from book retailers for as little as $10 for used copies.

I recommend: Exam Prep by Hondros Learning has a variety of appraisal textbooks for sale. The Educational Textbook Company is a small publisher that offers state-specific textbooks to schools, but also honors individual orders.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider checking the local community college for a real estate appraisal course. The cost of the course is the same as the regular credit hour tuition, and it may cost much less than using a private appraisal school or online course.

If you want to become a real estate appraiser, begin by finding a real estate appraiser school that meets your state’s real estate appraisal education requirements. The process of becoming an appraiser differs according to the various real estate appraisal disciplines, but once you’ve met your state’s required real estate appraisal education mandates, you can obtain your real estate appraiser trainee license.

Here are three considerations in choosing your real estate appraiser school: 

1. An online real estate appraiser school offers a convenient, flexible way to get your real estate education while working at another job.
2. Real estate appraisal schools offer various basic (pre-licensure) and continuing education courses to meet your state’s requirements.  Choose from the accredited real estate appraiser schools offering real estate appraisal education in your state.
   
3. Find real estate appraisal education organizations that offer courses to earn additional appraisal designations, and professional development courses. 

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about your state's real estate appraisal education requirements

Your state's real estate appraisal licensing agency is the first stop to learning the specific real estate appraisal education and additional requirements you'll need to get a real estate appraiser trainee license.

I recommend: For a goldmine of real estate appraisal education and related resources, visit The Appraisal Foundation, a non-profit educational organization that fosters professionalism through its professional appraisal standards and appraiser qualifications. Find your state's real estate appraiser education specifics at your local licensing and certification board by searching the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) site.

Build a firm foundation with residential real estate appraisal education

Find a Web-based real estate appraiser school offering the full scope of ongoing residential real estate appraisal education courses to earn your pre-licensure credits.

I recommend: e-LicenseSchool's real estate appraisal education is approved in many states, and guarantees you'll pass your first licensing test. Check out McKissock's 100% Education to search for online or live real estate appraisal school courses.

Find an approved Web-based real estate appraiser school

All real estate appraisal school distance education courses must be approved by the International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), so be sure to check into this before you enroll.

I recommend: Van Education Center's IDECC-approved pre-licensing courses include Appraisal 101 (with free exam prep practice exams) and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) 15-hour course. Enroll for a free 5-day trial to examine both courses at this real estate appraisal school.

Earn your MAI and other special designations at online real estate appraisal schools

Specialized real estate appraiser education can prepare you for a multitude of careers in the field. Want to go the extra mile? Then check into commercial real estate appraisal schools, where you can earn your MAI (Member, Appraisal Institute) and other specific designations.

I recommend: Whether you're accumulating credits to go for your state appraiser license or for your Appraisal Institute designation, or are simply seeking a better understanding of appraisal theory and practice, the Appraisal Institute is the place to turn. (Exact offerings vary by state.)

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep working: While you're a real estate appraiser trainee, you won't make much (if any) money; once you earn your appraiser's license, you'll have the chance to earn more.
• •  Choose specialized real estate appraiser education options for niche careers.
• •  Look for a real estate appraiser trainee job at a bank or real estate appraiser's office to see how you like the work of an appraiser, and to get an education and make some money at the same time.
• •  Online real estate appraisal schools or other forms of real estate appraiser education available via distance learning are increasingly popular options, allowing you to work independently and at your own speed.
• •  Many real estate appraiser trainees work as an apprentice while completing the required education.
• •  Many states have formal real estate appraiser trainee programs for those pursuing a career as a real property appraiser.

Anyone with a desire to be a real estate appraiser needs real estate appraisal training and a good appraiser education. There are two types of appraisal schools; online and campus courses. Many appraisers take advantage of the online courses because of the convenience of studying from home. However, certified instructors offer real estate appraiser classes through a real estate school or through classes taught in meeting rooms or technical schools.

Requirements vary by state, but all appraisers need an appraisal license. The two licensures offered by real estate appraisal schools include the general real property appraiser and the residential real property appraiser. Appraisal schools offer both pre-licensing courses and continuing education courses. Before registering for a real estate appraisal course, consider the following:

1. Appraisers need at least a bachelor's degree. Common degree fields for appraisers include finance, economics and business.

2. Most appraisers need at least 75 hours of specific appraisal courses before they're considered a trainee.

3. Continuing education requirements vary by state, but most appraisers need at least 14 hours of continuing education courses each year.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about real estate appraisal schools basics

Before registering for any appraisal licensing courses, find out what your state requires for licensure and education. This not only helps you see the amount of work required of a real estate appraiser, but helps you map out an educational plan for all exam and continuing education hours.

I recommend: The Appraisal Foundation gives a list of all appraisal regulatory boards for each state, including contact information. Look up course offerings, including the number of credit hours and which states accept online hours, by visiting the Appraisal Institute.

Find online property appraisal training schools

When taking an appraisal course online, make sure the education is state specific so that you're studying for your state exam. Most online schools offer exams and courses by state, including continuing education hours. Also, make sure any online school is accredited by the U.S. Department of Education before paying any fees.

I recommend: Allied Real Estate School offers accredited appraisal classes online for various states. Check the listing at ActWebServices.com for appraiser license courses and see a list of states that don't allow online education. This helps ensure you don't sign up for an online course if you live in a state that doesn't accept distance education hours.

Use online appraisal schools for continuing education hours

Continuing education comprises the core of what appraisers do in appraisal schools. Continuing education hours are required each year, and the requirements vary by state. Finding a reputable appraisal course online can help make meeting the continuing education requirements easier.

I recommend: Search for schools available in your state from a list provided by McKissock. Offering continuing education for 30 states, the Appraisal Academy has online courses to help you meet your requirements.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When searching for appraisal schools, finding one that offers MAI license courses and SRA license courses will benefit you in the future. Getting the MAI or SRA designations increase income and make you a more reputable appraiser.

Real estate appraisal schools offer a number of courses for students who want to become appraisers. Individuals will need to start as an appraisal trainee and work through the various courses, exams and licenses until they become certified general appraisers. Students need to be proficient in Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and other standard practices to do well in this industry. Students who enroll in real estate appraisal schools will need to pass state-administered exams before obtaining their licenses to provide appraisal services. here are a few terms to understand along the way.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB)

The Appraiser Qualifications Board sets the minimum education requirements for students earning their appraisal license. This board also works to set experience requirements and examination criteria.

I recommend: Hondros College provides a detailed explanation of the Appraiser Qualifications Board, including the latest standards.

Licensed residential real property appraiser

A licensed residential real property appraiser is a level of education and licensing granting an individual the ability to appraise noncomplex residential property. Qualifications include 150 hours of credible class hours plus having a valid license.

I recommend: The Maine Legislature defines the qualifications of a licensed residential real property appraiser.

Certified residential appraiser

Another level of certification in real estate appraisal school is the certified residential appraiser, who is legally able to appraise properties of any property value with less than five units. Individuals must complete 200 hours of study and sit for the state licensing exam to obtain certification.

I recommend: TestPrepPreview provides more information about certified residential appraiser educational requirements.

Certified general appraiser

A certified general appraiser is required to have more than 300 classroom hours of study and sit for the state licensing test. Once the exam is taken, these appraisers can appraise most properties, according to state guidelines.

I recommend: Visit the Georgia Real Estate Commission website to learn more about the certified general appraiser exam and educational requirements.

Appraiser trainee

An appraiser trainee is an individual who is planning to earn his or her appraisal license. This is the first step to furthering your education in this industry. Individuals who take the required courses and sit for the state mandated exam will be eligible to enroll in more advanced appraiser courses.

I recommend: Visit the Champions School of Real Estate to learn more about how to become an appraiser trainee.

Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, or USPAP, are standards accepted throughout North America for appraisal practices. Appraisers will need to fully understand these standards throughout their real estate appraiser schooling.

I recommend: Visit the Appraisal Foundation to learn more about the USPAP.