How Long Does It Take to Become a Real Estate Appraiser?

Real property appraisal is one of the most important and fulfilling careers in the real estate industry, primarily due to its massive influence on the real estate market. Real property appraisers are trained to determine unbiased, professional opinions of a property’s fair market value. That makes it an excellent career choice for someone who loves taking on responsibility, thinking critically, and analyzing lots of different factors. Sound like you? Read on to find out how long it takes to get there.

How long does it take to get your appraiser license?

There are a few different levels of appraiser licenses you can aim for when starting your career, each with their own unique education and experience requirements. Today, we’re diving into the first license level that allows you to appraise homes on your own: the licensed residential appraiser.

Note: a few states don’t recognize this license level at all, while in others, additional coursework and/or experience may be required. It is always a good idea to see what your state requires as you begin your career. If you wish to aim for a higher license level out of the gate, you can expect additional coursework and experience requirements to what we list here.

You’ll need to complete all requirements in two main areas before you can apply for your license:

• Qualifying Education coursework

• Work experience hours

How long does it take to complete your appraiser coursework?

Before you can apply for your appraiser license in any given state, you must first complete your Qualifying Education. Regardless of the license level you’re aiming for, this first includes 75 hours of appraisal coursework, typically completed at the trainee level. If your goal is to earn your Licensed Residential Appraiser license, you will then need to complete the education requirements for that level in addition to the trainee level (the introductory level appraiser).

Here are the courses the AQB requires for Licensed Residential Appraiser licensure, along with how long it will take to complete each one:

Trainee education:

To become licensed:

Remember, some states may require additional or slightly different courses, so it’s always a good idea to check your state licensing agency as you begin the process. For example, most states also require a 4-Hr Supervisor/Trainee course.

This education is cumulative, so if you choose to earn a higher license, you will have already completed 150 hours of your required coursework. Some higher levels also require a college degree, which makes this first license a great place to start your appraisal career.

How long does it take to conduct your appraiser field logs?

Once you’ve finished your education, you must conduct and log at least 1,000 hours of actual appraisal experience. Any work hours you've already completed as a trainee will count towards your initial licensure. Those 1,000 hours must be completed:

1. Under the supervision of a certified appraiser; and

2. Over a period of at least six months*

*Some states require more time to complete this experience. You can expect anywhere between six months to a year to complete the experience for this level, but six months is most common.

This means that you must take no less than six months to complete your 1,000 hours of appraisal experience. To put things in perspective, if you log 40 hours per workweek, you will complete your training in a little over six months. If, however, you put in any fewer than 40 hours per week, it will take you a little longer.

Your home appraiser education and experience at a glance.

Between the 1,000 hours of mandatory appraisal trainee experience and over 150 hours of Appraisal and Trainee Education, you’re looking at anywhere between eight and 18 months to get your Residential Appraiser License. This table should give you a general idea of how much time you’re looking at for this process.

Start your appraisal career with confidence.

It may take some hard work and dedication to become a real property appraiser, but once you’ve earned your licensure, you'll enter a field that is both lucrative and fulfilling. And like with any new career, the more time you give, the more expertise you gain. So, here’s to now! Begin your appraisal career with confidence. Learn more about what it takes to become an appraiser today. You’ve got this.