STEP 1: Find a supervisor/mentor to work with to log your experience hours. (Suggestions for finding a supervisor/mentor)

STEP 2: Successfully complete 75 hours of qualifying education courses  approved by the Board.  In addition, successfully complete the AQB approved Supervisory/Trainee Course. Successful completion requires passing the course final examinations for each course with a proctor. Proctoring requirement only applies to qualifying education and does not include the Supervisory course or law course. (Course Proctoring Policy and Requirements)

• Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
• Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
• National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
• Supervisor/Trainee Course – 4 hours

STEP 3: Submit the Application package which includes:

• Forms (Application)
• Fees (located on application)
• Education – completion certificates and/or official college transcripts
• Experience (Experience Log)
• Background information for criminal record check (included with application)

Additional Helpful Links and Resource Downloads:

• Pennsylvania Licensing Information
• Course Requirements by State
• How to Become an Appraiser eBook
• Appraisal Salary Guide
• How to Get Licensed Infographic

The appraiser license renewal cycle is two years. Certificates expire June 30 of every odd-numbered year.  The board mails renewal notices 2 to 3 months prior to the expiration date.  Notices are mailed to the most recent address the certificate-holder has reported to the Board.  The Postal Service does not forward licenses.

Renewal Process

Education Requirement

• Certified Pennsylvania Appraisers are required to complete 28 continuing education hours every 24 months
• This includes the National USPAP Update Course, or Equivalent (7 hours)
• And 2 hours focusing on the Real Estate Appraisers Certification Act and the Board’s regulations and policies.
• All Pennsylvania appraisal-approved courses are also accepted for CPEs (Assessors) with the exception of PA LAW.

Renewal Fees:

• Certified Residential Appraiser: $305
• Certified General Appraiser: $305
• Certified Pennsylvania Evaluator: $225
• Certified Broker Appraiser: $225
• Licensed Appraiser Trainee: $150
• AMC: $1,000

If your license is expired, you must contact the Board Office to request a reactivation application.  You may contact the Board Office by phone (717-783-4866) or email (st-appraise@pa.gov).  Please provide your license number and full name as it appears on your license when calling or emailing the Board office. If you do not know your license number, you can search for your personal license at https://www.pals.pa.gov.

License Renewals are done online via the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS)

Get Started HERE.

STEP 1: Hold a valid appriasal license and successfully complete the additional required qualifying education courses (see course requirements below by license level). Successful completion of qualifying education courses requires passing the course final examination for each course with a proctor. (Course Proctoring Policy and Requirements)

STEP 2: Complete and document all required experience hours for your upgrade level.

• Certified Residential Appraiser – Provide 1,500 hours of acceptable and verifiable appraisal experience acquired over a minimum of 12 months
• Certified General Appraiser – Provide 3,000 hours of acceptable and verifiable appraisal experience acquired over a minimum of 18 months of which a minimum of 1,500 hours must be non-residential real property appraisal experience

STEP 3: Complete courses and maintain copies of transcripts for all college level requirements.

• Certified Residential Appraiser – (See table at top of page or view requirements HERE)
• Certified General Appraiser – You must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher.

STEP 4: Submit the Application package which includes:

1. Forms (Application)
2. Fees (located in application)
3. Education – completion certificates and/or official college transcripts
4. Experience (included in application)
5. Background information for criminal records check. (included in application)

STEP 5: Examination Process Must pass the national examination approved by the AQB and PA SBREA. Pennsylvania national exam provider is PSI.

• (PSI – PA National Exam Provider Website)
• (PA National Exam Candidate Handbook)

Additional Helpful Links and Resource Dowloads:

• AQB – National Exam Content Outline
• PSI – PA National Exam Provider Website
• PA National Exam Candidate Handbook
• AQB Licensing Exam Information
• Your Guide to an Appraisal License Upgrade eBook
• How to Upgrade Your License Infographic

*Continuing education requirements and process for license upgrade displayed in above renewal section.

Trainee Appraiser (75 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 – 4 hours

Certified Residential Appraiser (200 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 – 4 hours
• Residential Market Analysis and 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 or Finance – 15 hours
• Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies 15 hours
• Appraisal Subject Matter Electives 20 hours

Certified General Appraiser  (300 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 – 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