How to Become an Appraiser in Florida

Becoming a real estate appraiser in Florida offers a path to a flexible career with strong income potential. This guide breaks down each license level, the steps required, and helpful information to get you started.

Florida Appraiser License Levels

  • Trainee Appraiser
  • Certified Residential Appraiser
  • Certified General Appraiser

Trainee Appraiser in Florida

Requirements

  • Education: 104 hours total, including:
    • Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
    • Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
    • National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
    • Supervisor/Trainee Course for Florida – 4 hours
    • Appraisal Subject Matter Electives – 25 hours (including 6 hours Florida Laws and Rules)
  • Experience: None required
  • College Education: Not required
  • Online Courses: Allowed (must include timing mechanisms)
  • Exam Policy: One retake allowed within one year, after a 30-day wait

Certified Residential Appraiser in Florida

Requirements

  • Education: 204 total hours, including:
    • All Trainee-level coursework
    • Residential Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use – 15 hours
    • Residential 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 and Finance – 15 hours
    • Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies – 15 hours
    • Appraisal Subject Matter Electives – 20 hours (includes 6 hours Florida Laws and Rules)
  • Experience: 1,500 hours over a minimum of 12 months
  • College Education: One of the following:
    • Bachelor’s Degree in any field
    • Associate’s Degree in business/economics/real estate
    • 30 college semester hours in specific topics
    • CLEP credits covering required topics
    • Combination of the above meeting topic requirements
  • Online Courses: Allowed (must include timing mechanisms)
  • Exam Policy: One retake allowed within one year, after a 30-day wait

Certified General Appraiser in Florida

Requirements

  • Education: 304 total hours, including:
    • All Trainee-level coursework
    • General Appraiser Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use – 30 hours
    • General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach – 30 hours
    • General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach – 30 hours
    • General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies – 30 hours
    • Statistics, Modeling and Finance – 15 hours
    • General Appraiser Income Approach – 60 hours
    • Appraisal Subject Matter Electives – 30 hours (includes 6 hours Florida Laws and Rules)
  • Experience: 3,000 hours in not less than 18 months, including at least 1,500 hours in non-residential work
  • College Education: Bachelor’s Degree or higher
  • Online Courses: Allowed (must include timing mechanisms)
  • Exam Policy: One retake allowed within one year, after a 30-day wait

Governing Agency

Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board
myfloridalicense.com
Phone: (850) 487-1395
Fax: (407) 317-7245
Address: 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399

FAQs

  • Is online education allowed? Yes, including remote proctoring and timing mechanisms
  • Do I need a degree? Only for Certified levels
  • How many times can I retake an exam? One retake allowed after 30 days, within one year
  • How is experience tracked? Must meet hour minimums and time durations per license level

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