Laws and regulations for state appraisal boards are established to ensure that real estate appraisers are properly trained and conduct their business activities in an ethically responsible manner. Each state is responsible for ensuring individuals adhere to national standards of professional and ethical practice and in determining whether individuals meet those standards.

A real estate appraiser is an impartial third party responsible for providing an objective report on the value of real estate. State boards for appraisers have the authority to deny, approve, renew and suspend appraiser and assessor licenses. The state appraisers board is also responsible for setting standards for professional appraisal practice and investigating complaints of violations of the law. Find out more about laws and regulations for state appraisal boards when you:

1. Obtain information about the state appraisers board licensing process.

2. Learn about state appraisal board continuing education guidelines.

3. Find information about property appraisal boards by state.

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

Research certifications issued by state appraisal boards

State boards for property appraisers are responsible for issuing licenses for real estate appraisers, residential appraisers, certified general appraisers and apprentice appraisers. In addition, some states may require that real estate appraisal instructors receive instructor designation approval from the state appraisal board.

I recommend: Check out the Virginia Real Estate Appraisal Board to learn more about obtaining licenses from state appraisal boards. You may also find out more by checking out the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers.

Identify education requirements established by state appraisal boards

All real estate appraisers are required to adhere to national standards set by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Each state appraisal board has established guidelines to ensure that licensed appraisers attend courses and training seminars to keep them abreast of changes in real estate laws and regulations. Each state sets the number of continuing education hours needed over the course of a one- or two-year period.

I recommend: Learn more about continuing education requirements by visiting the New Jersey State Real Estate Appraisers Board. Read more about appraiser education by visiting the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers.

Identify education requirements established by state appraisal boards

All real estate appraisers are required to adhere to national standards set by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Each state appraisal board has established guidelines to ensure that licensed appraisers attend courses and training seminars to keep them abreast of changes in real estate laws and regulations. Each state sets the number of continuing education hours needed over the course of a one- or two-year period.

I recommend: Learn more about continuing education requirements by visiting the New Jersey State Real Estate Appraisers Board. Read more about appraiser education by visiting the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers.

Review regulations for property appraisal boards by state

Laws and regulations for state appraisal boards vary. For example, in Colorado and Ohio, property appraisal licenses are only required for individuals who conduct appraisals for federally guaranteed or insured loans and for property tax assessment personnel. It's important that individuals find information that specifically outlines the requirements of the state board for appraisers in which they are planning to obtain licenses.

I recommend: Get a list of state boards for appraisers by visiting The Appraisal Foundation. You may also check out Appraiser Universe to access information about state boards for property appraisal.

Set flexible hours and earn commissions with a career in property appraisal -- and establish yourself with the help of the state board for appraisers. To get certified, you'll need to contact your property appraisal boards by state to find out what licensing or certification exams you need to pass. If you do get certified through your state appraisal board, you'll eventually need to complete some sort of internship as well as enroll, periodically, in continuing education courses. Your state appraisal board can help you do that, too.

In addition to contacting your state appraisers board, look to the following:

1. State board of appraisers in any state in which you might conduct business

2. Appraisal foundations and forums for information about state appraisal boards

3. Educational resources by state appraisers board

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

Find links to state boards for appraisers through appraiser search websites

The first step to a future in real estate appraising is to contact your state boards for appraisers. You'll need to know test dates, covered topics, what kind of classes you need to complete and what kind of documents you'll need for test day. Appraisal referral services can provide you with a link to your state's appraisal board as well as other resources to help you in you goal to a future in real estate.

I recommend: Look for property appraisal board by state through Appraisersdotcom. The site can also provide you with links to appraisal agencies and organizations. AppraiserUSA.com also provides a direct link to each state's site.

Consult authorized foundations and forums for state boards for property appraisal standards

State boards for property appraisal can get you the right applications and testing procedures but you should look for additional sources for extra accolades. You may earn a license but it also looks good to clients when you have more recognition than a license only. These boards have strict qualification standards and can help you stay on top of new laws and acts relating to property appraisal.

I recommend: The Appraisal Foundation and AppraisersForum both provide additional resources and information to your state board for property appraisal.

Find educational resources to satisfy state boards for property appraisers requirements

State boards for property appraisers require different classes or courses for licensing. You can find educational materials on CD-ROM and in book form, as well as listings for traditional classroom training online. You should always ask if their classes are approved by your state's board and are certified by the International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC).

I recommend: ActWebServices offers CD-ROM courses as well as exam preps. Dave Shoemaker's School answers frequently asked questions from those considering a career as a property appraiser.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you already have a real estate license, you'll eventually need to complete some sort of continuing education. Information about state appraisal boards and their continuing education requirements is available from the property appraisal boards, by state.

If you or your business requires the services of a state appraisers board, it is important that you understand more than the introductory information about state appraisal boards, such as where to find property appraisal boards by state. Instead, you need to know what types of rules you will be expected to follow, what kind of experience to expect and the stated purpose of the board. Understanding these factors will provide you with enough background knowledge to successfully carry out business activities with a state board of appraisers.

Consider the following in preparation for working with state appraisal boards:

1. Be cognizant of the mission and purpose of a state board for appraisers.

2. Be sure to have an idea of typical regulations and statutes administered by a state appraisal board.

3. Be an informed professional by reviewing frequently asked question sections and newsletters on state appraisal board websites, such as that of the Virginia Real Estate Appraisal Board.

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

Understand the mission of state boards for property appraisers

Acquaint yourself with the mission and purpose of an average state board for property appraisal to ensure your business needs will be appropriately fulfilled. Being conscious of the objectives and duties performed by appraisal boards, such as the Virginia Real Estate Appraisers Board, will assure that you are not wasting your time with unnecessary business operations or expenditures. You can find this information online and free of charge at state appraisal board websites.

I recommend: Learn about the mission, board members, history and mandate of the property appraisal board by state, such as the New Hampshire Real Estate Appraiser Board. Take a look at the purpose of the Massachusetts board at the Massachusetts Board of Real Estate Appraisers website.

Review common laws and regulations enforced by state boards for property appraisal

Awareness of any rules or statutes you and your business must comply with when working with state boards for appraisers is essential to ensuring a productive professional experience. Reading through actual regulations implemented by state appraisal boards will guarantee that you have a good picture of what you will be dealing with. This information can be easily accesses online and free of charge on state appraisal board websites.

I recommend: View the laws and regulations listed on the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board. Peruse and download the regulations and statutes cited on the Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board website.

Utilize question and newsletter sections on state appraisers board websites

Answer any questions you might have about the appraisal process or other business inquiries by accessing useful resources on state boards for property appraisal websites. The questions in the FAQ section are useful for focusing your inquiries quickly and conveniently.

I recommend: Check out the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board website to read through frequently asked questions that are sorted by category. Take a look at the Idaho Real Estate Appraisers Board to peruse the FAQ section. Take advantage of the archived newsletters at the Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Board website.