How to Become a Certified General Appraiser
The Certified General Appraiser license is the highest level of appraisal certification. With a General Certification, you can appraise all types of real property—residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, vacant land—without regard to value or complexity. This credential is required if you want to appraise large income-producing properties such as office buildings, shopping centers, or apartment complexes. Attaining the Certified General license requires substantial education and experience, but it opens the door to the widest range of opportunities in the appraisal profession.
Requirements for Certified General Appraisers
- Education: A total of 300 hours of formal appraisal education is required. If you previously completed 200 hours for the Certified Residential level, you need an additional 100 hours focused on non-residential (commercial) appraisal topics. These courses cover advanced income capitalization techniques, commercial cost approach, commercial market analysis, and other specialized subjects to prepare you for appraising various property types.
- Experience: Accumulate at least 3,000 hours of appraisal experience over a period of at least 18 months (1½ years). Of those hours, at least 1,500 must be in appraising non-residential properties (e.g., commercial buildings, industrial properties, etc.). This requirement ensures you have substantial hands-on experience with the complexities of income-producing and commercial properties.
- College Degree: A Bachelor’s degree (4-year college degree) or higher is mandatory for the Certified General license. Unlike the Certified Residential level, there are no alternatives or waivers for the college-degree requirement at the General level—you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Exam: Pass the Certified General Appraiser exam. This national exam includes 125 questions (110 scored) with a 4-hour time limit, covering advanced appraisal concepts across all property types. You’ll encounter questions on topics like net operating income calculations, discounted cash flow analysis, commercial lease valuation, and complex highest and best use scenarios, in addition to USPAP and general appraisal theory.
- Application: Apply to your state’s appraisal board for the Certified General credential. You will need to submit proof of completing 300 education hours, a copy of your bachelor’s degree transcript, and a detailed log of your 3,000 experience hours (with documentation of the non-residential work). After the state reviews your application and background check, you will be issued the Certified General Appraiser license.
Achieving the General Certification is a pinnacle accomplishment in the appraisal field. Certified General Appraisers can appraise a skyscraper one day and a rural farm the next – their expertise covers it all. With this license, many appraisers choose to specialize in commercial appraisal, work for appraisal firms that handle institutional clients, or operate their own businesses focusing on a wide variety of property types.
It’s worth noting that with greater scope comes greater responsibility. Commercial and complex appraisals often involve extensive research and analysis. Continuing education, professional designations (like the MAI from the Appraisal Institute), and staying active in industry groups can further enhance your credibility as a Certified General Appraiser.
By earning the Certified General license, you have reached the highest tier of appraiser qualification. The demand for competent general appraisers is steady, as commercial real estate markets always need valuation experts. Enjoy the diverse work and professional respect that comes with this achievement, and keep honing your skills as the industry evolves.
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