With most states requiring at least 75 hours of coursework prior to taking your real estate license exam, the option of taking an online real estate appraisal class is worth considering. Taking an appraiser course online allows you the flexibility of completing course work at your convenience and freeing up time to complete other licensing requirements such as supervised hours.

If you're looking for an appraisal class online, information is available all over the Internet. The following steps can help you narrow down your choices as you select an appraisal class online provider:

1. Review directories of online real estate appraisal courses.

2. Confirm your state accepts the the appraisal course online.

3. Make sure the appraiser course online instructors appear knowledgeable on the topic of real estate appraisal.

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

Review directories for an online real estate appraisal class

Browsing a directory can help you find an appraisal class online.

I recommend: In addition to discussing minimum requirements for licensing, WorldWideLearn's website includes an appraisal class online list complete with brief summaries of various online course providers. Academic Enterprises asks you to click on your state from their menu for more information about online appraisal schools.

Verify that your state accepts your taking the appraisal class online

Some states do not allow test candidates to take an appraisal course online. Some companies only provide courses for certain states. Verify your state's acceptance of the course before signing up.

I recommend: Career webSchool's home page provides a drop down menu of the various states for which they provide courses. McKissock's website allows you to search licensing information by state and license type.

Research instructors' backgrounds when taking an appraiser course online

A little knowledge about the expertise of the professors employed by the appraisal class online provider can give you peace of mind -- knowing you are well prepared to complete the course and ultimately pass your licensing exam. If the information is not available on the company's website, be sure to inquire over the phone or via e-mail

I recommend: The Van Education Center, or VanEd for short, has a detailed "Meet the VanEd" instructors page. The page includes each instructor's credentials and a brief biography. The Charles Barnes School of Real Estate's, Appraisal & Home Inspection School has a page on its website with one-sentence synopses of every member of its teaching staff.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You never know when a something goes wrong and you have to suddenly stop taking your class. Check to see if those companies listed in an appraisal class online directory offer you full or partial refunds in the event of course withdrawal.
• •  Consider an online real estate appraiser course that promises some money back if you do not pass your licensing exam. Getting some money back might definitely help take the sting out of needing to retake your exam.