California Real Estate Appraiser License Requirements

Qualified real estate appraisers are in demand by a wide range of clients such as banks and mortgage companies due to thousands of real estate transactions that occur weekly. Homeowners sometimes hire a real estate appraiser to determine the value of their property when appealing a tax assessment. Real estate appraisals are also used by lawyers in divorce property disputes, and by insurance companies to determine valuation of a property for insurance purposes.

California law requires that real estate appraisers be licensed by the state. To become a California real estate appraiser there are certain requirements you need to fulfill:

• Acquire the required education and experience
• Submit your application
• Take and pass the California real estate appraiser examination
• Submit your license issuance application

According to the state Office of Real Estate Appraisers, there are four levels of licensing in California:

• AT - Trainee License
• AL - Residential License
• AR - Certified Residential License
• AG - Certified General License

There are educational and test requirements for each level of licensure. Some California real estate appraisal licenses require a certain amount of experience at a lower level. The allowed scope of practice is different for each license level. Licensees must be at least 18 years old.

AT - Trainee License Requirements

- Education A minimum of 90 hours of real estate appraisal related education covering the topics required by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB), with at least 15 hours of education with focus on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

- Experience None

- Exam Must pass the state examination

- Scope Must work under the supervision of a licensed California real estate appraiser


AL - Residential License Requirements


- Education A minimum of 90 hours of real estate appraisal related education covering the topics required by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB), with at least 15 hours of education with focus on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)