How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in Oregon

To get started as a real estate appraiser in Oregon, you must first satisfy all the requirements and apply to be a Registered Real Estate Appraiser Assistant.

Real estate appraisers inspect and take measurements of real property (land, homes, apartments, office buildings, etc.) in order to arrive at an accurate value of the property.

In any real estate transaction that needs a loan, a real estate appraisal will be required by the bank or lender. This includes purchase as well as refinancing transactions.

Consequently, there are many career opportunities for real estate appraisers in active real estate markets.

Real estate appraisers can be self-employed and work for themselves or they can work for mortgage firms, banks, lenders and government agencies.

Here's what you need to know to become a real estate appraiser in Oregon:

1) Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Requirements in Oregon

2) Real Estate Appraiser Job Duties

3) Income Potential

4) Oregon Real Estate Appraisal Schools

How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in Oregon

1) Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Requirements in Oregon

In Oregon, real estate appraisers MUST be licensed by the Oregon Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board.

To be registered as an Appraiser Assistant, you must:

Complete 75 hours of approved qualifying appraisal education including 15 hours of the Appraisal Foundation's National USPAP Course
work under the technical supervision of an Oregon licensed or certified appraiser
Complete and file a Registered Appraiser Assistant application with a $75 fee

After receiving a minimum of 2000 hours of appraisal experience in no less than 2 years, you may apply to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser. There is a $75 application fee.

There are 3 levels of real estate appraiser licensing in Oregon:

State Licensed Real Estate Appraiser
State Certified Real Estate Appraiser
State Certified General Real Estate Appraiser

License Levels Education Requirements Experience Requirements Exam Scope of Practice

State Licensed Appraiser A minimum of 105 hours of required appraisal education , with 30 hours in residential and 15 hours on USPAP. Minimum 2,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience over at least 2 years. Must pass the AQB approved residential examination. May appraise non-complex 1-to-4 unit residential property up to a transaction value of $1 million, and commercial properties up to $250,000.

State Certified Appraiser A minimum of 120 hours of approved appraisal education, with at least 15 hours on USPAP. Minimum 2,500 hours of acceptable appraisal experience over at least 2 years. Must pass the AQB approved certified residential examination. May appraise all 1-to-4 unit residential property.

State Certified General Appraiser A minimum of 180 hours of approved appraisal education and 15 hours on USPAP. Minimum 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience, over at least 30 months. Must pass the AQB approved certified general examination. May appraise all types of real estate.

NOTE: Education, Experience, Testing, and Continuing Education are subject to change based upon criteria established by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) of The Appraisal Foundation.

2) Duties of Real Estate Appraisers

A real estate appraiser's job is to estimate the value of real property. Real property consists of land, buildings, and even natural resources such as water, oil, or minerals.

The estimate of value is known as an appraisal. A real estate appraisal is made when real property is bought, sold, assessed, taxed, condemned, insured, or mortgaged.

A real estate appraiser's job duties also include:

obtaining land values from county sources and sales information about nearby properties to help establish property value
examining the income records and operating costs of income properties
estimating building replacement costs using building valuation manuals and professional cost estimators.
examining the type and location of nearby services such as shopping centers, schools, parks, and other neighborhood features in order to evaluate their impact on property values.
verifying legal descriptions of property with county records, measuring the property and comparing the measurements with the legal descriptions.
photographing interiors and exteriors of properties to help estimate property value, substantiate findings and complete appraisal reports
preparing written reports that estimate the property value, outline methods used in estimations and meet appraisal standards

3) Income Potential in Oregon

According to the Oregon Employment Department, the 2005 average annual salary of Real Estate Appraisers in Oregon is approximately $56,198/year.

4) Real Estate Appraisal Schools in Oregon

If you are interested in becoming a real estate appraiser in Oregon, you will need to take classes that are approved by the Oregon Appraiser Certification and Licensure Board

School status may change so please call them at 503.485.2555 prior to signing up for classes.

Real Estate Appraisal Schools in Oregon:

American College of Real Estate & Appraisal

6950 SW Hampton St, Suite 314

(503) 968-9737

Appraisal & Real Estate School of Oregon

200 W. Barnett Rd

(541) 772-2620

Clackamas Community College

19600 South Molalla Avenue

503-657-6958

Lane Community College

4000 East 30th

(541) 747-4501

Portland Community College

P.O. Box 19000

(503) 977-4393

Pro Schools Real Estate School of Oregon

10225 SW Parkway

(503) 297-1344

Back to Oregon Real Estate Agent

License Levels	Education Requirements	Experience Requirements	Exam	Scope of Practice
State Licensed Appraiser	A minimum of 105 hours of required appraisal education , with 30 hours in residential and 15 hours on USPAP.	Minimum 2,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience over at least 2 years.	Must pass the AQB approved residential examination.	May appraise non-complex 1-to-4 unit residential property up to a transaction value of $1 million, and commercial properties up to $250,000.
State Certified Appraiser	A minimum of 120 hours of approved appraisal education, with at least 15 hours on USPAP.	Minimum 2,500 hours of acceptable appraisal experience over at least 2 years.	Must pass the AQB approved certified residential examination.	May appraise all 1-to-4 unit residential property.
State Certified General Appraiser	A minimum of 180 hours of approved appraisal education and 15 hours on USPAP.	Minimum 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience, over at least 30 months.	Must pass the AQB approved certified general examination.	May appraise all types of real estate.