Appraisal License and Certification
The quality education you need to get your appraisal license and become a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser.
Take your career to the next level
Appraisers have options when it comes to getting licensed or certified. Each level requires different skills, which enable you to appraise various types of properties — making the job more exciting! We offer package options and appraisal courses for whatever your next step may be.
Select Your State
Current License Level
Desired License Level
Why upgrade your license
If you’re growing tired of appraising simple properties or are looking for more complex assignments with more income potential, upgrading your license is a good move. An upgrade can give you a much-needed advantage in the local market in addition to offering greater control over your fees and more stability in your work.
Earn more income
On average, certified general appraisers make 38% more than residential appraisers.
Enjoy more complex assignments
Add variety to your day with different types of properties and transaction limits.
Diversify your portfolio
Work with new clients, gain more control over fees and enjoy stability in your work.
How to upgrade your appraisal license
Depending on your state and the appraisal license level you wish to attain, the exact steps to upgrading will vary slightly. However, these are the general guidelines you’ll need to follow to meet the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) criteria. Note that state appraiser regulatory agencies may set requirements that are greater, or more stringent than AQB criteria. Be sure to check your state’s specific licensing requirements to know exactly what you need to do.
Work for a minimum period of 12 months as an appraiser
Accumulate minimum 1,000 experience hours, depending which level you are working towards
Meet the required AQB-approved and any college degree education requirements if required
Pass the state exam and apply for your upgraded license
Did you know?
In many states, your credit toward becoming a certified general appraiser counts toward your CE credits.
Appraisal
Career Paths
Once you have your appraisal qualifying education and trainee hours under your belt, you’ll want to consider which license level is right for you. Each level requires you to develop new skills that allows you to appraise different types of properties.
Trainee
Trainee
Appraise properties that your supervising appraiser is permitted to appraise.
Licensed Appraiser
Licensed Appraiser
No college-level education requirements
Appraise simple residential properties with transaction limits.
Certified Residential
Certified Residential
College-level education requirements
Appraise complex residential properties with no transaction limit.
Certified General
Certified General
College-level education requirements
Also known as a commercial appraiser, you can appraise all residential and commercail proptery types.
Choose the career path that’s right for you
This is general information and varies from state to state. Check your state licensing requirements.
Income averages from 2022-2023 Salary Guide
Have a question?
Connect with an enrollment advisor
What McKissock users say
Take the first step to
becoming a property appraiser.
Interested in
continuing education?
State-by-state upgrade education options
Select your state to view our extensive library of appraisal upgrade education courses. Each course helps you develop new skills that allow appraisal of different types of properties.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- US Virgin Islands
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington DC
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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