How to Become an Appraiser in North Carolina
Before you earn or upgrade your North Carolina appraisal license, it’s crucial to understand the state’s requirements. McKissock Learning provides the appraisal courses and support you need to achieve your objectives in a way that works for you!
North Carolina Appraiser License: Registered Trainee
How to become an appraiser in North Carolina
To become a real estate appraiser in North Carolina, the first thing you’ll need to do is become a Registered Trainee Appraiser. The Trainee credential allows you to assess residential properties with guidance from a Certified Appraiser Supervisor so you can gain the practical experience needed to become a fully licensed or certified appraiser.
Follow these steps to become a Registered Trainee Appraiser in North Carolina:
Step 1: Finish 79 hours of required North Carolina appraiser education, including three AQB Basic Qualifying Education courses (75 hours) and a Supervisor-Trainee course (4 hours).
Step 2: Find a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser who will act as your supervisor. Note: They will also need to take the North Carolina Supervisor-Trainee course.
Step 3: Submit your application and background check to the North Carolina Appraisal Board.
Important: Verify all steps and requirements with the North Carolina licensing board. For more information, contact the North Carolina Appraisal Board at 919.870.4854.
North Carolina Registered Trainee Appraiser (79 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
Required Education:
79 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
Supervisor/Trainee Course for North Carolina – 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
Roster
Governing Agency
FAQs about how to become an appraiser in NC
What’s the role of a North Carolina real estate appraiser?
North Carolina real estate appraisers assess property value impartially, considering factors like size and condition and research local market information and comparable properties to create a report outlining the property’s value.
Should I get my North Carolina appraiser license?
The appraisal profession offers the opportunity to build a steady career with a good income and a lot of flexibility. Starting an appraisal business in North Carolina has lower costs and risks compared to other small businesses. Even in a slower real estate market, there’s a steady need for appraisers, especially for tasks like estate planning and divorce settlement. This flexibility empowers appraisers to manage their earnings and enjoy a schedule that works for their lifestyle.
How long does it take to become an appraiser in NC?
Ready to start your journey to become an appraiser in North Carolina? The first step, becoming a Registered Trainee, can be done in as little as a few weeks or months. Start by finishing 79 hours of required education at your own pace and finding a Certified Supervisory Appraiser who will oversee your training. You can handle both tasks at once to streamline the process. Once completed, you can submit your application and undergo a background check for approval.
McKissock offers both livestream courses for interactive learning and on-demand courses for learning at your own pace. Choose which option works best for your personal learning style and timeline.
Can I work as an appraiser in North Carolina with an out-of-state license?
Yes, if you are currently licensed in another state, you can work as an appraiser in North Carolina without having to take additional classes or pass an exam, as long as your former state’s requirements meet all the appraisal qualification criteria set up by the Appraisal Foundation.
You will just need to submit a letter of good standing from the appraiser licensing board of your former state, issued under seal within 30 days of the date you applied for your license in that state if you aren’t active on the Appraisal Subcommittee’s National Registry.
You will also need to complete the Consent to Service of Process and Pleadings form and the Affidavit of Residency form if you aren’t a North Carolina resident.
Furthermore, you’ll need to either send a copy of your most recent criminal background check performed for the state in which you are licensed, or obtain a background check from CastleBranch. Your background check will need to be dated to within 60 days of your application.
Mail these items to the NC Appraisal Board office for processing. After this, you will be issued a North Carolina appraisal license via mail.
Helpful resources:
North Carolina Appraiser License: Licensed Residential
How to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser in North Carolina
A Licensed Residential Appraiser (or home appraiser) in North Carolina is permitted to appraise:
- Non-complex 1-4 residential units with a transactional value of less than $1 million
- Complex 1-4 residential units with a transaction value less than $250,000
- Vacant or unimproved land with a transaction value of less than $1 million for which the highest and best use is for 1-4 family purposes
Follow these steps to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser in North Carolina:
Step 1: Complete 154 total hours of qualifying education (75 hours on top of the 79 required to earn your Trainee license).
Step 2: Complete 1,000 hours of supervised appraisal experience in no less than 6 months.
Step 3: Submit your license application to the North Carolina Appraisal Board, including proof of coursework completion and supervised experience.
Step 4: Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Licensed Residential Appraisers.
Important: Verify all steps and requirements with the North Carolina licensing board. For more information, contact the North Carolina Appraisal Board at 919.870.4854.
North Carolina Licensed Residential Appraiser (154 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
Required Education:
154 QE Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
Supervisor/Trainee Course for North Carolina – 4 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 North Carolina
How much does a home appraiser make in NC?
According to Salary.com, most residential real estate appraisers in North Carolina make between $42,699 and $112,954, with upper-level appraisers earning more.1,2 The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the mean annual wage of North Carolina property appraisers and assessors as $65,730.3 Glassdoor gives a much higher number, estimating that North Carolina home appraisers make an average salary of $122,023 per year.4
Factors that impact an appraiser’s income include license level, years of experience, location, number of hours worked per week, and advanced skills or professional certifications.
What can I expect from the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam?
The National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam takes 4 hours and is made up of 125 questions. You will need to earn a score of 75 to pass. If you don’t pass, you’ll be allowed to take the test again. However, if you fail your third attempt, you will need to take 15 hours of additional qualifying education before you can try the exam again.
Once I have my North Carolina appraiser license, then what?
After becoming a licensed or certified appraiser, you will need to maintain your credential with Continuing Education (CE). In North Carolina, this means completing 28 hours of approved appraisal CE courses within your 2-year license renewal period, including the 7-hour USPAP course.
Helpful resources:
Sources cited:
- Appraiser (Residential Real Estate) Salary in North Carolina (Salary.com)
- Appraiser Sr. (Residential Real Estate) Salary in North Carolina (Salary.com)
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Property Appraisers and Assessors (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Residential Real Estate Appraiser Salaries in North Carolina (Glassdoor)
North Carolina Appraiser License: Certified Residential
How to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in North Carolina
In North Carolina, a Certified Residential Appraiser (also called a home appraiser) can assess any residential property with 1-4 units, regardless of its complexity or value. This includes vacant or unimproved land suitable for 1-4 family use.
Follow these steps to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in North Carolina:
Step 1: Complete 204 hours of required education (125 hours on top of the 79 required to earn your Trainee license).
Step 2: Complete 1,500 of acceptable appraisal experience in no fewer than 12 months.
Step 3: Submit your license application to the North Carolina Appraisal Board, including proof of coursework completion and supervised experience.
Step 4: Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified Residential Appraisers.
You must also meet one of the following college education criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any field of study
- Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a focused field of study, such as economics or real estate
- Successfully complete 30 hours of college credit in specified topics
- Complete at least 30 semester units of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations that cover specified topics
- Any combination of college credit or CLEP credit in specified topics
- Exception: No college education is required for Licensed Residential Appraisers who have been licensed for a minimum of 5 years and have been in good standing for the past 5 years.
Important: Verify all steps and requirements with the North Carolina licensing board. For more information, contact the North Carolina Appraisal Board at 919.870.4854.
North Carolina Certified Residential Appraiser (204 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
Required Education:
204 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
Supervisor/Trainee Course for North Carolina – 4 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 North Carolina
Why become a Certified Residential Appraiser in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, Certified Residential Appraisers can evaluate all types of residential properties with up to four units, no matter their transaction value or complexity. You can charge higher fees per assignment when appraising luxury homes and other complex properties. This gives you more options for work and more opportunities to earn a higher income compared to Licensed Residential Appraisers.
How much do Certified Residential Appraisers make in North Carolina?
Salary will depend on many factors, including location and experience, but most upper-level residential real estate appraisers in North Carolina earn between $53,438 and $112,954.1 Glassdoor gives a higher estimate, listing the average salary for North Carolina residential appraisers as $122,023 per year.2
If you earn your Certified General (or commercial) appraisal license, you could earn even more: Commercial real estate appraisers in North Carolina make as much as $148,950 per year.3
Helpful resources:
- North Carolina Licensing Information
- Real Estate Appraiser Exam Prep
- Your Guide to an Appraisal License Upgrade
Sources cited:
North Carolina Appraiser License: Certified General
As a North Carolina Certified General Appraiser (also called a commercial appraiser), you are permitted to appraise all types of real property, including single-family homes, multi-family units, farmland, industrial spaces, and commercial properties.
Follow these steps to become a Certified General Appraiser in North Carolina:
Step 1: Complete 304 total hours of required education (225 hours on top of the 79 required to earn your Trainee license).
Step 2: Accumulate 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no fewer than 18 months, with at least 1,500 hours in non-residential property.
Step 3: Submit your license application to the North Carolina Appraisal Board, including proof of coursework completion and supervised experience.
Step 4: Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified General Appraisers.
You must hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university to become a Certified General Appraiser in North Carolina.
Important: Verify all steps and requirements with the North Carolina licensing board. For more information, contact the North Carolina Appraisal Board at 919.870.4854.
North Carolina Certified General Appraiser (304 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
Required Education:
304 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
Supervisor/Trainee Course for North Carolina – 4 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 Certified General Appraiser in North Carolina
Do I need a college degree to be a Certified General Appraiser in NC?
Yes, you do! A bachelor’s degree (or higher) in any field from an accredited college or university is required to become a Certified General Appraiser in North Carolina.
How much do commercial appraisers make in NC?
According to Salary.com, North Carolina commercial real estate appraisers typically earn between $43,489 and $132,094, with some earning as high as $148,950.1,2 Glassdoor lists the average salary of North Carolina commercial appraisers as $109,594 per year.3
A Certified General Appraiser’s salary will vary based on experience level, location, number of hours worked per week, and area of specialization (e.g., hospitality, commercial/industrial, agricultural).