Real estate appraisers provide objective estimates of property value, a function that underpins transactions across Pennsylvania’s property market. Their assessments are integral for mortgage lending, property sales, taxation, and insurance purposes. Entering this profession requires navigating a structured pathway overseen by the state. This process ensures that appraisers possess the knowledge to produce credible and reliable valuations.
Pennsylvania Appraiser License Tiers
Pennsylvania’s framework for real estate appraisal is structured into three tiers, each with an expanding scope of practice. Governed by the State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers, this system ensures an appraiser’s qualifications align with the complexity of the assignments they undertake. Each level has distinct educational and experiential prerequisites.
Appraiser Trainee
The entry point into the appraisal profession is the Appraiser Trainee license. This registration allows an individual to gain the experience required for higher levels of certification. A trainee must work under the direct supervision of a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser who acts as a mentor. The trainee’s work is limited to assisting their supervisor with appraisal assignments, and all reports must be co-signed.
Certified Residential Appraiser
The next level is the Certified Residential Appraiser. This certification authorizes an appraiser to evaluate one-to-four unit residential properties. A distinction for this license is that there are no limitations based on the transaction value or complexity of these residential properties, allowing them to work independently on qualifying assignments.
Certified General Appraiser
The highest level of licensure is the Certified General Appraiser. This certification grants the authority to appraise all types of real property for any transaction value. Holders of this license can evaluate residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and other forms of real estate. The education and experience requirements reflect the complexity of these property valuations.
Fulfill Pre-License Education Requirements
An appraiser’s career begins with qualifying education (QE) from a provider approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers. This education provides a baseline of theoretical knowledge before any practical experience is gained. The required hours and curriculum are mandated for each license tier.
Aspiring appraisers begin by completing 75 hours of QE to become an Appraiser Trainee. This includes 30 hours in Basic Appraisal Principles, 30 hours in Basic Appraisal Procedures, and the 15-hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course. These courses cover concepts of value, the appraisal process, and the ethical standards governing the profession. A 4-hour trainee/supervisor course is also required.
To advance to a Certified Residential Appraiser, an additional 125 hours of education is necessary, bringing the total to 200 hours. This coursework delves into topics such as Residential Market Analysis, Highest and Best Use, and Residential Report Writing. For the Certified General Appraiser tier, a total of 300 QE hours are required, including advanced topics for commercial and complex property valuation.
Gain Experience as an Appraiser Trainee
After completing the initial education and obtaining a trainee license, the next phase involves accumulating hands-on appraisal experience. This training must be completed under the guidance of a qualified supervisory appraiser. Finding a supervisor involves networking with appraisal firms, contacting professionals through industry organizations, or reaching out to experienced appraisers directly.
The state board mandates a specific quantity of experience hours for certification, which must be documented. To become a Certified Residential Appraiser, a trainee must acquire 1,500 hours of experience over a minimum of 12 months. For the Certified General Appraiser license, the requirement increases to 3,000 hours over at least 18 months, with at least 1,500 of these hours in non-residential appraisal work.
Throughout this training period, the trainee is required to maintain a detailed experience log. This log chronicles every appraisal assignment and must detail the type of property, the work performed, the hours claimed, and the signature of the supervising appraiser. This document is the official record of a candidate’s practical experience and is a required component of the application.
Pass the National Appraiser Exam
Upon completing all education and experience requirements, candidates are eligible for the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam. This examination tests the knowledge and competencies acquired through coursework and practical training. The version of the exam a candidate takes corresponds to the level of certification they are seeking.
The exam is administered by PSI, a national testing provider, and candidates can register once their application with the state board is approved. The multiple-choice test covers a wide range of appraisal topics, including valuation principles, property analysis, and ethical standards. The Certified Residential Appraiser exam consists of 125 questions, must be completed within four hours, and requires a score of 75 or higher to pass.
The Certified General Appraiser exam is more extensive, reflecting its broader scope. It is a six-hour exam that also requires a passing score of 75. Passing the national exam is the final validation of an appraiser’s technical competence before the state grants a license.
Submit Your State Application
The final step is to compile and submit a comprehensive application package to the Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers. This submission consolidates all the credentials and documentation gathered throughout the process. The application must be complete and accurate, demonstrating that the applicant has met every state requirement.
The application package must include several documents. Applicants need to provide official transcripts or course completion certificates to prove fulfillment of the qualifying education hours. The supervisor-signed experience log must also be submitted to verify that practical experience requirements have been met. Additionally, candidates must provide proof of passing the National Appraiser Exam, include the required application fees, and undergo a criminal background check.