Real Estate Appraisal Schools

Your real estate appraiser education is the first step toward a respected career
By LaRita Heet, Freelance Writer, Journalist, IBT Designer LMH Communications 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. 

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.)

• 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.