It’s important to understand how Oregon classifies real estate appraisers across four separate categories, each with their own qualifications for licensure:
Registered Appraiser Assistant
State Licensed Appraiser
State Certified Residential Appraiser
State Certified General Appraiser
After receiving your Registered Appraiser Assistant license, you can “upgrade” to any of the subsequent license levels. Today, we’ll be focusing on how to become a state licensed appraiser. But first, here’s a quick overview of the eligibility requirements for the first four licensing levels.
Appraiser Eligibility Highlights |
Be at least 18 years old |
Proof of U.S. Citizenship, U.S. National Status, or Alien Status |
Submit to a background check, provide fingerprints, and answer criminal history questions |
Find extra details on page 4 of the appraiser assistant application regarding Oregon’s fingerprinting background check process.
Registered Appraiser Assistant
Oregon, like most states, recommends a pilot program for potential appraisers to begin their path toward becoming fully licensed. Known as a registered appraiser assistant, this first level of licensure is required before you can become fully licensed and start appraising real estate on your own.
Here's a quick overview of everything you’ll need to become an appraiser assistant:
Qualifying Education Hours Required | Required Experience Hours Working Under a Certified Appraiser | College Degree Requirement | Exam Requirement | Background Check |
75 hours of qualifying appraisal education 4 hours of a Trainee/Supervisor Appraiser course | None required, though you will need to associate with a Supervisory Appraiser before receiving your trainee license. (You’ll work under your Supervisory Appraiser to earn experience hours after receiving your trainee license.) | Not required | Not required | Required |
State Licensed Appraiser
The next level up is a state licensed appraiser. At this level, you can appraise:
Non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties (transaction value < $1,000,000)
Complex 1-4 unit residential properties (transaction value < $400,000)
Here’s a quick overview of everything you’ll need to become a Oregon licensed appraiser:
Qualifying Education Hours Required | Required Experience Hours Working Under a Certified Appraiser | College Degree Requirement | Exam Requirement | Background Check |
150 hours (only 75 hours are required to upgrade after receiving your Trainee license) | 1,000 hours in no less than 6 months | Not required | Must pass National Uniform Licensing Examination for Certified Residential Appraisers | Required |
State Certified Residential Appraiser
State certified residential appraisers may appraise:
1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity
All other types of real property with a transaction value less than $250,000
Qualifying Education Hours Required | Required Experience Hours Working Under a Certified Appraiser | College Degree Requirement | Exam Requirement | Background Check |
200 hours (only 125 hours are required to upgrade after receiving your Trainee license) | 2,000 hours in no less than 18 months | Must have completed some college coursework. See Oklahoma’s four options to meet this requirement here | Must pass National Uniform Licensing Examination for Certified Residential Appraisers | Required |
State Certified General Appraiser
State certified general appraisers are the highest level of appraiser professionals in Oregon. They can appraise all types of residential or commercial property without regard to value or complexity.
Qualifying Education Hours Required | Required Experience Hours Working Under a Certified Appraiser | College Degree Requirement | Exam Requirement | Background Check |
300 hours (only 225 hours are required to upgrade after receiving your Trainee license) | 3,000 hours in no less than 24 months | Must have bachelor's degree or higher in any field and from any accredited college or university | Must pass National Uniform Licensing Examination for Certified General Appraisers | Required |