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How to Become an Appraiser in Georgia

Becoming a property appraiser offers a path to owning your own business, enjoying a flexible schedule, and having greater control over your earning potential. If you’re already a licensed appraiser, upgrading your credential offers you more opportunities to grow your business.  

No matter where you are in your journey, whether you’re exploring how to become an appraiser in Georgia or you’re ready to take the next step in your career, McKissock has the appraisal courses you need to meet state requirements and build a solid foundation of knowledge and skill.   

Skyline of Savannah, Georgia | GA Appraiser Requirements

Georgia Appraiser License: State Trainee

Total Hours Required: 94 hrs
Mandatory Hours:
Elective Hours:

How to become an appraiser in Georgia

To become an appraiser in Georgia, you must start by earning the State Trainee Appraiser classification from the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board (GREAB). You must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma or GED.

Follow these steps to become a Trainee Appraiser in Georgia:

Step 1: Complete 94 hours of required appraisal education, which includes 90 hours of Georgia qualifying education courses (as outlined by the GREAB) and a 4-hour Supervisory/Trainee Course.

Step 2: Connect with a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser who will act as your Supervisory Appraiser during your Trainee period.

Step 3: Submit your application, fee, and a copy of your criminal history or or Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) Report to the GREAB. If the report indicates any criminal conviction, additional documentation may be required.

Once you receive your State Trainee credential, you can begin working with your supervisor to gain on-the-job experience and training.

Important: Confirm all steps and requirements with the Georgia appraisal licensing board. For more information, contact the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board (GREAB) at 404.656.3916.

What does a Georgia real estate appraiser do?

Real estate appraisers determine the fair market value of a property. Appraisers assess the physical elements of a property, such as its location, square footage, building materials, and amenities and research nearby comparable properties, tax information, and other external factors that can determine value. By looking at both the property and the comparable information, experienced appraisers can provide clear, unbiased, and comprehensive reports to support their valuations.

Appraisers need a range of abilities to succeed, including:

  • The ability to discern facts from opinions
  • The ability to assess market trends
  • Strong analytical skills

Lenders often require appraisals to ensure the mortgage request aligns with the market value of the property. Also, homeowners needing to refinance or secure a home equity line of credit, couples seeking to split property during a divorce, and individuals needing to plan their estates also rely on appraisals.  

As you learn how to become an appraiser in Georgia, you will work closely with your supervisor to gain practical experience of how to assess property, conduct research, and write reports.

Georgia Trainee Appraiser (94 hours) – AQB recommended course order

Online Info

Required Education: 
94 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hrs.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hrs.
Residential Report Writing and Case Studies – 15 hrs
15-hr Nat’l USPAP Update or Equivalent.
AQB Supervisor/Trainee Course – 4 hours

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

Online Limitations

No online limitations.

Roster

Roster Required: yes
Roster Process:

Rosters are sent electronically each business day.

Roster Sent Every 1 days

Governing Agency

Georgia Real Estate Appraisal Board
Phone: 4046563916
Fax: 4046566650
Address: International Tower; Suite 1000, Atlanta, GA 30303

FAQs about how to become an appraiser in Georgia

How long does it take to become an appraiser in Georgia? 

The first step, becoming a Trainee Appraiser, can be done in as little as a few weeks or months. To help accelerate the process, McKissock offers both livestream courses for interactive learning and self-paced courses that you can access whenever your schedule allows.  

Once you’ve obtained your Trainee credential, you can begin working and earning money under your supervisor while logging your required appraisal experience. This process will take at least 6 months, 12 months, or 18 months to complete—depending on which license level you decide to pursue. 

On top of that, you’ll also need to complete some additional licensing and certification courses and pass a national exam to become a State Licensed, Certified Residential, or Certified General Appraiser in Georgia. 

Go to the “Licensed Appraiser,” “Certified Residential,” and “Certified General” tabs at the top of this page to learn the specific requirements for each license level. 

What type of appraiser makes the most money? 

Generally, the higher your license level, the more you can earn. The highest license level is the Certified General classification. Also known as commercial appraisers, Certified General Appraisers typically earn the most money.  

According to Salary.com, Georgia commercial appraisers earn as high as $150,402 per year.1 For comparison, top-earning home appraisers in Georgia make up to $114,045 per year. 2 

Helpful resources:

Sources cited:

  1. Appraiser IV (Commercial Real Estate) Salary in Georgia (Salary.com) 
  2. Appraiser Sr. (Residential Real Estate) Salary in Georgia (Salary.com)