How to Become an Appraiser in Kentucky
Do you want to know how to earn or upgrade your real estate appraisal license in Kentucky? Here’s a breakdown of the requirements for each level. Learn how to become an appraiser in Kentucky and find all the courses you need to earn, upgrade, and maintain your license right here at McKissock Learning.
Kentucky Appraiser License: Associate
How to become an appraiser in Kentucky
Your path to become a real estate appraiser begins at the trainee level. In Kentucky, trainees are called Associate Appraisers. As a licensed Associate, you’ll work under a certified supervisor to complete your required training experience. Your supervisor will teach you how to inspect and evaluate properties, conduct market research, and write appraisal reports. The Associate credential is required to begin your on-the-job training.
Here are the steps to earn your Associate Appraiser license:
Step 1: Complete the required education.
You’ll need to pass 97 hours of Kentucky Associate (Trainee) Appraiser education, which includes 90 hours of appraisal pre-licensing education plus a mandatory 7-hour Supervisor/Associate course:
- Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours)
- Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
- 15-hour National USPAP Course or equivalent (15 hours)
- Residential Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use (15 hours)
- Kentucky Mandatory Supervisor/Associate Course (7 hours)
Step 2: Connect with a Supervisory Appraiser.
A Certified Supervisory Appraiser must agree to supervise your work experience. You can begin searching for a supervisor while taking your required pre-licensing classes.
Step 3: Apply for your Associate Appraiser license.
To apply for the Associate Appraiser credential, submit the following to the Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board (KREAB):
- License application
- Education completion certificates
- Application fee
- Fingerprints for background check
Important: Double-check all requirements with you state licensing board. Contact the Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board at 859.623.1658 for more information.
Kentucky Associate Appraiser (97 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
A student enrollment agreement is required upon completion of all courses (except non-credit courses). This enrollment agreement can be found in the documents section of each course. Please click on this link for the course catalog: Course Catalog
Required Education:
97 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours.
Residential Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use – 15 hours.
Kentucky Mandatory Supervisor/Associate course – 7 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
Roster
Governing Agency
FAQs about how to become an appraiser in KY
Once you get your Associate Appraiser license, then what?
As soon as you get your Associate Appraiser license, you can begin working and earning money under your supervisor while completing your required work experience hours. Meanwhile, you will also need to take additional licensing and certification courses and pass a national exam to become a fully licensed or certified appraiser in KY.
How long does it take to become an appraiser in Kentucky?
The first step, becoming an Associate Appraiser, can be done in as little as a few weeks. The full process to become a licensed or certified appraiser can be done in a little more than 6–18 months, depending on which license level you choose to pursue.
Go to the “Licensed,” “Certified Residential,” and “Certified General” tabs at the top of this page to see the specific requirements for each classification.
How much do Associate Appraisers make?
The nationwide average annual income for trainee-level appraisers is $53,218, according to McKissock’s 2023 Appraisal Salary Guide. Once you become a licensed or certified appraiser and gain more experience, you can expect to earn significantly more.
Helpful resources
Kentucky Appraiser License: Licensed Residential
How to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser in Kentucky
In Kentucky, Licensed Residential Appraisers (also known as home appraisers) can appraise non-complex 1–4 family residential properties with a transaction value below $1,000,000 and complex 1–4 family homes with a transaction value below $250,000.
Here are the requirements to earn your Licensed Residential Appraiser license in Kentucky:
- Complete 157 hours of Kentucky appraisal education (includes trainee education)
- Complete 1,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in at least 6 months
- Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Licensed Residential Appraisers
As soon as you’ve met the above requirements, you can apply for your Kentucky Licensed Residential Appraiser License. Submit the following items to the Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board (KREAB):
- Licensed Residential Appraiser application
- Appraisal education completion certificates
- Experience log documenting your work experience
- Application fee
Important: Double-check all requirements with you state licensing board. Contact the Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board at 859.623.1658 for more information.
Kentucky Licensed Residential Appraiser (157 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
A student enrollment agreement is required upon completion of all courses (except non-credit courses). This enrollment agreement can be found in the documents section of each course. Please click on this link for the course catalog: Course Catalog
Required Education:
157 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours.
Kentucky Mandatory Supervisor/Associate course – 7 hours.
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.
Experience: 1,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in not less than 6 months.
College Education: No college-level education required.
Online Limitations
Roster
Governing Agency
FAQs about becoming a Licensed Residential Appraiser in Kentucky
Do I need a college degree to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser in Kentucky?
No. There is no college education required for the Licensed Residential credential.
How much do residential real estate appraisers earn in KY?
The average salary range for residential real estate appraisers in Kentucky is between $48,804 and $98,798, with experienced appraisers earning notably more.1,2 Factors that influence an appraiser’s income include license level, location, years of experience, number of hours worked, and advanced skills or specializations.
What are the continuing education requirements for appraisers in KY?
Kentucky CE requirements stipulate that all real estate appraisers must complete 14 continuing education (CE) hours each year to maintain their license, including the 7-hour National USPAP Update course (or equivalent). CE courses may be taken online.
Helpful resources
Sources cited
Kentucky Appraiser License: Certified Residential
How to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Kentucky
In Kentucky, Certified Residential Appraisers (or home appraisers) can appraise all 1–4 family residential properties, without regard to transaction value or complexity.
Here are the requirements to earn your Certified Residential Appraiser license in Kentucky:
- Complete 207 hours of Kentucky appraisal education (includes trainee education)
- Complete 1,500 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in at least 12 months
- Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified Residential Appraisers
- Meet one of the following higher education requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher
- Associate degree in a focused field of study, such as Business, Economics, or Real Estate
- 30 semester hours of college credit in specified topics
- 30 semester hours of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations in specified topics
- Any combination of college credit or CLEP credit that includes all the specified topics
- Exception: No college education is required for Licensed Residential appraisers who have been licensed for at least 5 years and have been in good standing for the last 5 years.
Once you’ve met the above requirements, you can apply for your Certified Residential license. Submit the following items to the Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board (KREAB):
- Certified Residential Appraiser application
- Education completion certificates
- Experience log documenting your work experience
- Application fee
Important: Double-check all requirements with you state licensing board. Contact the Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board at 859.623.1658 for more information.
Kentucky Certified Residential Appraiser (207 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
A student enrollment agreement is required upon completion of all courses (except non-credit courses). This enrollment agreement can be found in the documents section of each course. Please click on this link for the course catalog: Course Catalog
Required Education:
207 QE Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours.
Kentucky Mandatory Supervisor/Associate course – 7 hours.
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.
Experience: 1,500 hours in no fewer 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.
Online Limitations
Roster
Governing Agency
FAQs about becoming a Certified Residential Appraiser in Kentucky
Do I need a college degree to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Kentucky?
No, not necessarily. If you don’t have a college degree, you will need to have at least some college education or 5 years of experience as a Licensed Residential Appraiser. See above for specific information on how to meet the higher education prerequisite for the Certified Residential classification.
How much do residential real estate appraisers earn in KY?
Kentucky residential real estate appraisers typically earn between $48,804 and $98,798, with experienced appraisers earning notably more.1,2 Factors that impact appraisal income include license level, years of experience, location, and additional skills or professional certifications (e.g., green home or luxury home appraiser certification).
Certified Residential Appraisers typically earn more than Licensed Residential Appraisers because their skill-level is higher, and they are permitted to appraise complex residential properties including luxury homes.
What are the continuing education requirements for appraisers in KY?
As a Kentucky real estate appraiser, you must complete 14 continuing education (CE) hours annually to maintain your license. This includes the 7-hour National USPAP Update course (or equivalent). You are permitted to take your CE courses online.
Helpful resources
Sources cited
Kentucky Appraiser License: Certified General
How to become a Certified General Appraiser in Kentucky
In Kentucky, Certified General Appraisers (also called commercial appraisers) can appraise all types of property—both residential and commercial. This includes single-family properties, multi-family properties, commercial and industrial properties, farmland, and more. There’s no limit to transaction value or complexity.
You must meet the following requirements to earn your Certified General Appraiser license in Kentucky:
- Complete 307 hours of Kentucky appraisal education (includes trainee hours)
- Complete 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no less than 18 months, including at least 1,500 hours of non-residential appraisal experience
- Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified General Appraisers
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher
Important: Double-check all requirements with you state licensing board. Contact the Kentucky Real Estate Appraisers Board at 859.623.1658 for more information.
Kentucky Certified General Appraiser (307 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
A student enrollment agreement is required upon completion of all courses (except non-credit courses). This enrollment agreement can be found in the documents section of each course. Please click on this link for the course catalog: Course Catalog
Required Education:
307 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours.
Kentucky Mandatory Supervisor/Associate course – 7 hours.
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.
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.
Online Limitations
Roster
Governing Agency
FAQs about becoming a commercial appraiser in Kentucky
Do you need a degree to become a Certified General Appraiser in Kentucky?
Yes, you will need a bachelor’s degree or higher (in any field) from an accredited college or university to apply for the Certified General classification.
Why become a Certified General Appraiser in Kentucky?
Certified General is the highest license level you can achieve as an appraiser. If you’re looking to maximize your income potential and do more challenging work, consider upgrading your appraisal license to Certified General. As a commercial appraiser in Kentucky, you can expect to earn up to $126,299 per year, according to Salary.com.1