Property Assessors Offices - Alabama Education and Training

Get the training to become a property assessor in Alabama
By Emmet McMahan Training to work in property assessors offices in Alabama will teach you how to appraise personal and real and personal property in order to estimate its fair market value. Property assessors may also assess property for the purpose of setting property taxes in accordance with a prescribed schedule.

The requirements needed to perform Alabama property assessments are complex and vary by the type and value of the property being appraised. Generally, these requirements may be grouped in the following categories:

1. Education. While there are no formal degree requirements for property assessors in Alabama, most practicing assessors have at least a bachelor’s degree, preferably in economics, finance or real estate. However, the specific courses that a property assessor needs are usually taken at a community college or professional assessor organization.

2. On-the-job training. This is required to obtain a license or certification and should be acquired in the office of an independent fee appraiser, if possible.

3. Licensure. Federal law requires that property appraisers have a state-issued license if they will be involved in transactions requiring a federal loan of $250,000 or more.

Complete the courses needed to work in property assessors offices in Alabama

There are a variety of on-site universities and distance learning classes that teach students to assess Alabama property values. These institutions should update their curriculum frequently to reflect changes in the state's educational requirements for property appraisers.
Try:  The Alabama Association of Real Estate Appraisers offers pre-license appraisal courses twice each month in northern Alabama, and continuing education seminars throughout Alabama. The Career Web School provides the education needed to become an Alabama trainee real property appraiser.

Get on-the-job training for Alabama property assessment

Job training for property appraisers in Alabama has specific requirements, as laid out by the Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board. These requirements stipulate the length of time the training must take, the way in which the mentor must monitor the process, and the type of experience the trainee must acquire.
Try:  Section 34-27A-11 of the Alabama state statute provides the experience requirements for property appraisers in Alabama. The Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board specifies the job training requirements for both mentors and trainees.

Become a licensed Alabama property assessor

Alabama recognizes five categories of appraisers. A trainee must work under the direct supervision of a licensed appraiser. A state registered appraiser may perform appraisals for non-federally funded properties, and a licensed appraiser may work on federally funded property. A certified residential appraiser can perform federally-related appraisals on residential property and a certified general appraiser can perform appraisals on all types of property.
Try:  The Real Estate Appraisers Board of Alabama provides an overview of the licensure and certification process for property assessors offices in Alabama. Education and training information can be found at Property Appraiser.com, which has a checklist that details the requirements for becoming licensed appraiser in Alabama.

• Alabama property assessors must meet the minimum certification and licensing requirements established by the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) of the Appraisal Foundation. However, many states have more stringent licensing requirements than those required by the AQB. For example, a state may require an appraisal license for all appraisers regardless of the transaction value of the property.