How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers does not license Trainees or Assistants. If you're interested in becoming a real estate appraiser in Pennsylvania, you'll have to obtain the education and experience required prior to becoming licensed.

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 Pennsylvania:

1) Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

2) Real Estate Appraiser Job Duties

3) Income Potential

4) Pennsylvania Real Estate Appraisal Schools

How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in Pennsylvania

1) Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, real estate appraisers MUST be licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers.

While there are no licenses issued for Trainees, the Board does maintain a registry for Trainees and Assistants to register their information with the Board.

After receiving 2500 hours of appraisal experience and completing 120 hours of approved education, you may apply to become a Certified Residential Appraiser.

There is a $235 application fee.

The levels of real estate appraiser licensing in Pennsylvania:

Certified Residential Appraiser
Certified General Appraiser

License Levels Education Requirements Experience Requirements Exam Scope of Practice

Certified Residential 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.

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 2.5 years. 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 Pennsylvania

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, the 2003 median salary of Real Estate Appraisers in Pennsylvania was approximately $40,400/year.

Salaries ranged from under $18,000/year to over $75,000/year.

4) Real Estate Appraisal Schools in Pennsylvania

If you are interested in becoming a real estate appraiser in Pennsylvania, you will need to take classes that are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Certified Real Estate Appraisers.

Please call the Board at (717) 783-4866 prior to signing up for classes.

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License Levels	Education Requirements	Experience Requirements	Exam	Scope of Practice
Certified Residential 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.
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 2.5 years.	Must pass the AQB approved certified general examination.	May appraise all types of real estate.