How to Earn or Upgrade Your PA Appraiser License
Property appraisers often have a flexible schedule and greater control over their income while enjoying the benefits of owning their own business. If you want to know how to become a real estate appraiser in PA or upgrade your current license, McKissock Learning offers the qualifying education and required coursework you need to achieve your goals.
Pennsylvania Appraiser License: Trainee
How to become a real estate appraiser in PA
Becoming an appraiser in Pennsylvania starts by becoming a Licensed Appraiser Trainee. As a trainee, you’ll work with a Certified Supervisory Appraiser who will provide you with hands-on, practice experience in evaluating properties, completing property research, and writing reports. To become a Licensed Appraiser Trainee, you’ll need to complete the following steps:
Step 1: Complete the required education
- 75 hours of qualifying Pennsylvania appraiser education
- Supervisory/Trainee Appraisers Course
Step 2: Connect with a Supervisory Appraiser
While you’re completing your required education, you will also need to find a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser to act as your Supervisory Appraiser as you gain experience.
Step 3: Apply for your Trainee License
To apply as a Licensed Appraiser Trainee, you’ll need to complete the initial application, provide proof of completing your qualifying education and Supervisory/Trainee Appraiser course, and submit the initial licensing fee.
What does a Pennsylvania real estate appraiser do?
Appraisers estimate the value of a property by completing comprehensive physical observations related to square footage, quality and condition, and amenities. They also research the local real estate market and comparable properties to determine an accurate valuation and write an appraisal report of their findings.
Required courses to become a trainee appraiser in Pennsylvania
- Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
- Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
- National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
- Supervisor/Trainee Course for Pennsylvania – 4 hours
- Required courses to become a trainee appraiser in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania – 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. This requirement was retained in the 2018 Criteria.
Experience: N/A
College Education: N/A
Online Limitations
Roster
Governing Agency
Good to Know: FAQs for how to become an appraiser in Pennsylvania
Should I get my Pennsylvania appraiser license?
Becoming a real estate appraiser in Pennsylvania offers a great opportunity to build a successful career in real estate with lower start-up costs and less risk than many other professions. Even when there is a downturn in the real estate market, appraisers still provide property valuations during estate planning, divorce settlements, or tax assessments.
How long does it take to become a Pennsylvania real estate appraiser?
There’s not a set amount of time it takes to become a Licensed Trainee Appraiser. You don’t need college credits or prior experience, but you will need to complete 79 hours of required education.
To help you complete your goals on a timeline that works best for you, McKissock offers on-demand, self-paced courses that you can complete when and how it’s convenient for. We also offer livestreaming courses that let you engage with the instructor, ask questions, and stay on track without getting overwhelmed.
While you compete your courses, we also recommend you use this time to find a supervisory appraiser. Once these steps are done, you can begin the application process and background check. While times vary, getting your PA appraiser license from the state board usually takes a few weeks.
Helpful resources:
Pennsylvania Appraiser License: Certified Residential
How to become a real estate appraiser in PA: Certified Residential
In Pennsylvania, a Certified Residential Appraiser can appraise any 1-4 unit residential property without limits. To earn this designation, you must meet the following requirements:
- 204 hours of qualifying education (79 of which was earned to become a Licensed Appraiser Trainee)
- 1,500 of approved appraisal experience in no fewer than 12 months. At least 750 hours must be dedicated to preparing appraisal reports in which an interior and exterior property inspection was made.
- Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified Residential Appraisers
- 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
Pennsylvania Certified Residential Appraiser (204 hours) – AQB recommended course order
- Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
- Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
- National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
- Supervisor/Trainee Course for Pennsylvania – 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
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 Pennsylvania – 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. At least 750 hours of the experience acquired by an applicant must be in the actual preparation of real estate appraisal reports in which an interior and exterior property inspection was made.
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.
Online Limitations
Roster
Governing Agency
Good to Know – FAQs to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Pennsylvania
Why become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Pennsylvania
Becoming a Certified Residential Appraiser means you can take on assignments for all types of residential property below four units. This allows you to take on more assignments and grow your business more quickly.
How much do residential appraisers earn in Pennsylvania?
While salary depends on a variety of factors, including location and experience, the average residential appraiser in Pennsylvania earns between $51,249 and $69,5651.
Pennsylvania Appraiser License: Certified General
How to become an appraiser in Pennsylvania: Certified General
Certified General Appraisers in Pennsylvania have no limits on their license and appraise all types of property, including single family homes, multi-family properties, vacant land, industrial property, and businesses.
To earn your Certified General Appraiser credential, you must complete 304 hours of required education (this includes the 79 required hours to become a Trainee). You will also need 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience, 1,500 of which must be non-residential property and 1,500 hours must be in preparing real estate appraisal reports where you made an internal and external inspection. You must also pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified General Appraisers and hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Pennsylvania Certified Residential Appraiser (304 hours) – AQB recommended course order
- Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
- Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
- National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hour
- Supervisor/Trainee Course for Pennsylvania – 4 hours
- General Appraiser Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use – 30 hours
- Statistics, Modeling and Finance – 15 hours
- General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach – 30 hours
- General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach – 30 hours
- General Appraiser Income Approach – 60 hours
- General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies – 30 hours
- Appraisal Subject Matter Electives – 30 hours
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 Pennsylvania – 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. At least 1,500 hours of the experience acquired by an applicant shall be in the actual preparation of real estate appraisal reports in which an interior and exterior property inspection was made.
College Education: Must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Online Limitations
Roster
Governing Agency
Good To Know: Frequently asked questions to become a Certified General Appraiser in Pennsylvania
Do I need a college degree to be a Certified General Appraiser?
Yes, you will need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
How much do Certified General Appraisers earn in Pennsylvania?
Certified General Appraisers’ median salary is around $126,2892
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