California Appraisal License Requirements

Qualifying Education:
150 QE Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles - 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures - 30 hours.
15-hour Nat’l USPAP or Equivalent.
Residential Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use - 15 hours.
Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach - 15 hours.
Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches - 30 hours.
Residential Report Writing and Case Studies - 15 hours.
*Laws and Regulations for California Appraisers – 4 hours.

*CCR 3543. Effective 1-1-17, the application shall complete the laws and regulations course as a prerequisite to licensure. This amendment will ensure new licensees understand the laws and regulations before practicing.

2015 AQB Supervisor/Trainee Course Requirement: Both the Trainee Appraiser and Supervisory Appraiser shall be required to complete a course that, at minimum, complies with the specifications for course content established by the AQB. The course must be completed by the Trainee Appraiser prior to obtaining a Trainee Appraiser credential, and completed by the Supervisory Appraiser prior to supervising a Trainee Appraiser.

Experience: N/A

College Education: N/A

Qualifying Education:
150 QE Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles - 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures - 30 hours.
15-hour Nat’l USPAP or Equivalent.
Residential Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use - 15 hours.
Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach - 15 hours.
Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches - 30 hours.
Residential Report Writing and Case Studies - 15 hours.
*Laws and Regulations for California Appraisers – 4 hours.

*CCR 3543. Effective 1-1-17, the application shall complete the laws and regulations course as a prerequisite to licensure. This amendment will ensure new licensees understand the laws and regulations before practicing.

Experience: 1,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in not less than 6 months.

College Education: No college-level education required. 

Qualifying Education:
200 QE Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles - 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures - 30 hours.
15-hour Nat’l USPAP or Equivalent.
Residential Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use - 15 hours.
Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach - 15 hours.
Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches - 30 hours.
Residential Report Writing and Case Studies - 15 hours.
Statistics, Modeling and Finance – 15 hours.
Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies – 15 hours.
Appraisal Subject Matter Electives – 20 hours.
*Laws and Regulations for California Appraisers – 4 hours.

* CCR 3543. Effective 1-1-17, the application shall complete the laws and regulations course as a prerequisite to licensure. This amendment will ensure new licensees understand the laws and regulations before practicing.

Experience: 1,500 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in not less than 12 months.

College Education:

1) Bachelor’s Degree in any field of study;
2) Associate’s Degree in a focused field of study, such as business, economics, or real estate;
3) Successful completion of 30 college semester credit hours in specified topics;
4) Successful completion of College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)1 exams equivalent to a minimum of 30 semester credit hours in specified subject matter areas; or
5) Any combination of #3 and #4 above that includes all of the topics identified.
6) A LICENSED RESIDENTIAL appraiser who has been licensed for a minimum of 5 years and in good standing for at least 5 years with no disciplinary actions that would affect the individual’s ability to appraise may upgrade to CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL without completing any college coursework. 

Qualifying Education:
300 QE Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles - 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures - 30 hours.
15-hour Nat’l USPAP or Equivalent.
General Appraiser Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use - 30 hours.
General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach - 30 hours.
General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach - 30 hours.
General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies - 30 hours.
Statistics, Modeling and Finance – 15 hours.
General Appraiser Income Approach – 60 hours.
Appraisal Subject Matter Electives – 30 hours.
*Laws and Regulations for California Appraisers – 4 hours.

* CCR 3543. Effective 1-1-17, the application shall complete the laws and regulations course as a prerequisite to licensure. This amendment will ensure new licensees understand the laws and regulations before practicing.

Experience: 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no less than 18 months. A minimum of 1,500 hours of the required experience must be in non-residential appraisal work.

College Education: Must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher.