There are appraisal employment opportunities available through banks, mortgage companies and independent real estate appraisal companies. Many professionals find a satisfying career in real estate appraisal as entrepreneurs.

Information about appraiser employment is available online and through industry associations. Find training to earn the four appraiser licenses, trainee license (AT), residential license (AL), certified residential license (AR) and certified general license (AG). Find a number of avenues in which you can begin making the most of real estate appraisal jobs.

1. Seek opportunities for trainee appraisal positions.

2. Use your real estate appraisal position to meet other professionals and create a referral network.

3. Look for management and executive level real estate appraiser job positions through appraiser job boards.

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

Start a real estate appraisal career as a trainee

Before you can begin appraising property, you must find training to prepare you for the real estate appraisal license exam in your state. Learn the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices (USPA) so that you can move into an appraiser trainee role when you receive your trainee license.

I recommend: Find links to training and job opportunities as well as the most recent salary and job requirements for real estate appraisal careers at Global Career Schools. Career webSchool has an online training program to get the hours you need to become an appraiser trainee in Texas.

Seek better real estate appraisal job opportunities by networking

Find out about the many opportunities in real estate appraisal through association with professionals at trade groups and the events they offer. To maintain your license you must also seek continuing education credits and keep up with industry changes. Use trade groups to network for other job positions and earn additional designations such as the Member of American Institute (MIA) or the Senior Real Estate Appraiser (SREA).

I recommend: Make the most of your association with other professionals to advance your career through the American Society of Appraisers. Go to the Appraisal Institute for training to get advanced certifications, as well as for meeting other professionals and finding information that can help you make the most of real estate appraiser jobs.

Find real estate appraisal employment online

Look for opportunities to advance to executive levels through job boards and other networking groups. Consider using the services of a job consultant or job coach to help market yourself. It could be worth the investment to pay a consultant to help you choose the best next move.

I recommend: iHire Real Estate has a section devoted solely to appraisal jobs all across the country. Appraisal Coach provides personal coaching to trainees and experienced appraisers to help them learn the industry better and to guide them to a more satisfying job.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Utilize your appraiser employment to develop partnerships with other real estate professionals to build a referral system that is beneficial to all the parties.

Real estate appraisal careers are hot. That’s because real estate appraisals are in high demand for residential home sales, refinancing purposes and commercial property sales. If you’re considering appraiser employment, you must first participate in state-mandated real estate appraisal training and work in trainee appraisal positions before receiving your license.

Real estate appraiser jobs offer a variety of opportunities. You can seek employment in real estate appraisal companies, or can run your own appraisal business. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly 4 out of 10 real estate appraisers are self-employed.

When looking for appraiser employment, consider the following:

1. Define and understand your goals and strategies in pursuing a career in real estate appraisal.
2. Get the real estate appraisal training and education to achieve professional licensure.
3. Though it is not required, most real estate appraisal jobs require a bachelor’s degree in addition to appraiser training.
4. Consider joining the ranks of other appraisers who run their own real estate appraisal companies.

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

Find real estate appraiser jobs and career guidance at Appraisal Institute

The Appraisal Institute is a global membership association of professional real estate appraisers, with 22,000 members and 92 chapters throughout the world. Their resources for real estate appraisal employment are vast and include education and professional designations for real estate appraisal careers and trainee appraisal positions.

I recommend: Check out the Appraisal Institute’s professional designation programs. To find real estate appraisal jobs or for appraiser employment information, check out their listing of positions available.

Search for real estate appraisal companies that offer trainee appraisal positions

After you've met your education requirements, you may also be required to obtain a trainee license from your state. Trainee appraisal positions don't pay much, but they provide a firm foundation for appraisal employment.

I recommend: Search real estate appraisal companies by location at AppraiserGeneral.com or find jobs in real estate appraisal at eJobstores.com.

Find real estate appraisal employment through professional trade organizations

Many local and national professional organizations provide leads and help in finding appraiser employment opportunities.

I recommend: Check out the American Society of Appraisers Job Bank to post your résumé, find appraisal employment and sign up for emails that alert you to new real estate appraisal jobs. Find additional associations in the directory of real estate appraisal organizations at Business.com.

Search real estate appraisal jobs by location

Use online resources to find real estate appraisal jobs in your area.

I recommend: The Realestatejobstore.com allows you to search real estate appraisal employment options and real estate appraiser jobs by state (or a more specific location).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Learn about real estate appraisal jobs through colleagues and real estate industry newsletters and other publications.
• •  Federal law mandates that for any appraiser involved in a federally related transaction that has a loan amount of $250,000 or more, that appraiser must have a state-issued license or other certification.
• •  Search local newspapers and websites for local jobs in real estate appraisal.
• •  Look for trainee real estate appraiser jobs at a bank or with small and large real estate appraisal companies to see how you like appraisal and to get an education and make some money at the same time.
• •  Always keep up with any required continuing professional education mandated for your career in real estate appraisal - or you could lose your license.

You must go through a series of training courses to start a career in real estate appraisal. The first step is to find courses for a Trainee Appraisal License for trainee appraisal positions, during which time you must be trained and supervised by a professional appraiser. Real estate appraisal companies hire trainees ready to take on this apprentice appraisal employment and earn credits toward your license.

Getting the training to earn an Appraisal License is the next step. With an Appraisal License, you can appraise properties up to a $1 million limit. A Certified Appraiser is trained to appraise one- to four-unit properties and finally, with the proper courses, you can land the best real estate appraiser jobs as a Certified General Appraiser. Look for training for appraiser employment in a number of places.

1. Watch for online training for real estate appraisal job opportunities.

2. Seek advanced training for real estate appraiser jobs.

3. Participate in trade groups for real estate appraisal continuing education and additional training.

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

Look for training from real estate appraisal websites

Take basic trainee courses for real estate appraisal job opportunities suited to your entry-level status. Find courses online that will be accepted in your state that you can complete while working to continue your training at your own pace.

I recommend: American Investment Training offers an entire real estate appraiser school that can help you succeed at every level of your career. Go online for training at your own pace at the Allied Appraiser School.

Expand your employment in real estate appraisal opportunities with advanced training

Continuing education is required to maintain real estate appraiser job positions. In addition, you want to look for training for advanced licensing and designations such as the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) certification to increase the value of your services.

I recommend: NC Real Estate Education offers online continuing education boot camp for real estate appraisal training that can provide the hours and advanced level of instruction you need. Check out the licensing and certification courses offered by the Van Education Center online.

Join associations that provide members with training for real estate appraiser jobs

Most trade associations offer continuing education and professional development courses for their members. Some groups provide seminars and training that will enhance your career on topics such as business valuation, report writing and appraisal management. In addition, they may offer courses for other designations such as the Independent Fee Appraiser (IFA) credential.

I recommend: The American Society of Appraisers offers certification courses and other professional development opportunities that will help you career. Members of the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers can earn additional credentials through the organization.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A real estate license is not a necessary requirement for real estate appraisal employment, but many successful appraisers take the training to receive their real estate license to enhance their complete education in the market.

Real estate appraisal jobs provide estimates of value for all residential and some commercial properties. Appraisers must be trained and licensed in the state in which they work. All states will vary on the amount of training necessary to earn any of the common licenses issued to appraisers. Appraisers must also be aware of state and industry standards for practice and follow a code of ethics provided by the state. Following these guidelines ensures the objective valuation of properties.

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

Trainee license

A real estate appraisal trainee license provides a person with the ability to work under the supervision of a certified appraiser. A trainee license can be obtained while studying for a certified license.

I recommend: The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board offers information on how to obtain this license in the state of Texas and all the requirements a person must meet to obtain licenses beyond this one.

Home inspector

A home inspector requires a special type of licensing. The job of a home inspector is to evaluate a property based on the qualities inside and outside, including the structure, heating/cooling system, roof and other interior components. An appraiser can use a home inspector's written evaluation to better appraise a property.

I recommend: The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation has published its standards of practice and the state's code of ethics for home appraisers and home inspectors on its website.

Certified residential license

A person that holds a certified residential license has the ability to provide appraisal services for residential properties that have one to four units, or commercial properties that have a value of less than $250,000.

I recommend: The California Office of Real Estate Appraisers offers information on the state requirements to be met for someone who wants to earn a certified residential license.

Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices (USPAP)

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices is an organization in North America that provides general standards for appraisers. The USPAP also provides standards for exams and appraiser classes.

I recommend: A large part of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practices' job is to provide courses and establish a national system of regulations and certification for appraisers.

National Association of Master Appraisers

The National Association of Master Appraisers is an organization that provides resources for the real estate appraisal industry, including educational opportunities and membership.

I recommend: Members of the National Association of Master Appraisers are recognized as professionals in the business throughout the United States.