A real estate appraiser provides an unbiased opinion of a property’s market value, a function that underpins nearly every real estate transaction in the state. Valuations are relied upon by lenders, buyers, and sellers. The profession is strictly regulated, requiring mandatory licensing through the Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board (KREAB). Aspiring appraisers must follow a structured progression of education, supervised experience, and examination to practice independently.
Understanding the Appraisal Licensing Tiers in Kansas
The career structure for real estate appraisal in Kansas is organized into four licensing tiers, each allowing a different scope of practice. The initial step is the Provisional Appraiser license, the foundational trainee classification used for supervised training. The Licensed Residential Appraiser permits independent appraisal work, limited to certain residential properties, while the Certified Residential Appraiser expands the scope to include all one-to-four unit residential properties regardless of value. The final credential is the Certified General Appraiser, which authorizes the appraisal of all types of real property, including commercial and industrial assets.
The Initial Requirement: Becoming a Provisional Appraiser
The journey begins by obtaining the Provisional Appraiser license, which is the mechanism for gaining necessary experience hours. Before applying, candidates must complete 79 hours of Qualifying Education (QE) coursework, including 30 hours each of Basic Appraisal Principles and Procedures, and the 15-hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course. The application also requires completing a four-hour Supervisory/Provisional Appraiser course and securing a Supervisory Appraiser. The Supervisory Appraiser must hold either a Certified Residential or Certified General license and agree to mentor the Provisional Appraiser through the required experience period, with oversight mandated by KREAB regulations.
Moving Up: Requirements for Licensed Residential Appraisers
Achieving the Licensed Residential Appraiser status transitions the professional from a trainee to an independent practitioner, requiring a total of 150 hours of Qualifying Education, including the 79 hours completed for the Provisional license and an additional 71 hours of advanced coursework. Required courses cover topics such as Residential Market Analysis, Site Valuation and Cost Approach, and Residential Report Writing. Applicants must document a minimum of 1,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience, acquired over a period of at least six months under the guidance of the Supervisory Appraiser. Once licensed, the appraiser is authorized to appraise non-complex one-to-four unit residential properties with a transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex residential properties under $250,000.
Professional Advancement: Certified Residential and Certified General Appraisers
Advancing to the Certified Residential Appraiser level significantly broadens the scope of practice, enabling the valuation of all one-to-four unit residential properties without regard to transaction value or complexity. This certification requires a total of 200 hours of Qualifying Education, including advanced topics like Statistics, Modeling, Finance, and Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies. Applicants must also document 1,500 hours of acceptable experience gained over a minimum period of 12 months.
The highest credential, the Certified General Appraiser, demands the most rigorous education and experience, authorizing the appraisal of all types of real property, including commercial, industrial, and complex special-purpose properties. This level requires 300 hours of Qualifying Education, which incorporates commercial-focused topics such as Income Property Valuation and Advanced Report Writing. Candidates must accumulate 3,000 hours of experience over a minimum of 18 months, with at least 1,500 of those hours specifically dedicated to non-residential appraisal work. Both certified levels adhere to the federal Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) criteria, generally requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher, or an associate’s degree in a specific field, for licensure.
Preparing for and Passing the Licensing Examination
The culmination of the education and experience process is the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination, which must be successfully passed for all non-trainee licenses. After the Kansas Real Estate Appraisal Board (KREAB) approves an applicant’s education and experience documentation, the individual is authorized to schedule the exam. The test is a comprehensive, four-hour assessment consisting of 125 multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate the candidate’s mastery of appraisal principles, procedures, and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). This standardized examination is administered at approved testing centers and is a requirement for the Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, and Certified General credentials. Passing the exam is the final logistical hurdle before the application for a new license is submitted to KREAB for final review and issuance.
Maintaining Your Kansas Appraisal License and Continuing Education (CE)
Once the appropriate license is issued, the appraiser must adhere to ongoing requirements to keep the credential current and active. Kansas appraisers must renew their license annually, although the Continuing Education (CE) requirement operates on a two-year cycle. Every two years, typically during odd-numbered years, licensed and certified appraisers must complete a minimum of 28 hours of approved CE coursework. This mandatory education must include the seven-hour National USPAP Update course, which ensures the appraiser is current on ethical standards and procedural requirements. The remaining 21 hours are typically fulfilled through elective courses focused on market trends, valuation methods, or specialized property types, ensuring the appraiser maintains the competency and ethical standing necessary to practice in Kansas.