How to Become a Certified Residential Appraiser

The Certified Residential Appraiser license is a major professional milestone. It permits you to appraise one-to-four unit residential properties of any value or complexity (excluding certain specialized property types like subdivisions). Achieving this certification expands the scope of properties you can appraise and often comes with greater earning potential. Here’s what it takes to become a Certified Residential Appraiser.

Why Pursue the Certified Residential License?

As a Certified Residential Appraiser, you are no longer limited by transaction value. Unlike the Licensed level, you can appraise high-value and complex residential properties, including luxury homes and unique properties, without restriction on value. Many lenders and agencies prefer or require a Certified Residential credential for certain appraisals (for example, FHA loans). This license is also a stepping stone if you plan to pursue the General Certification for commercial appraising in the future.

Requirements for Certified Residential Appraisers

Education: A total of 200 hours of appraisal coursework is required. If you already completed 150 hours at the Licensed Residential level (or to meet your state’s trainee requirements in states that skip the licensed level), you’ll need an additional 50 hours of advanced residential appraisal education. These courses cover topics like advanced market analysis, statistics, and complex case studies.
Experience: Accumulate at least 1,500 hours of appraisal experience obtained over a minimum of 12 months (1 year). Experience can include work done as a trainee or licensed appraiser, but it should encompass a variety of residential assignments to ensure you’re well-rounded. You may need to document that this experience meets your state’s criteria for complexity and variety.
College Education: The AQB’s criteria for Certified Residential include a college-level education requirement. You must either hold a Bachelor’s degree (any field), an Associate’s degree in a focused discipline (like business, finance, or real estate), or complete 30 semester hours of college-level courses in specific subjects (such as economics, finance, algebra, business law, etc.). Some candidates satisfy this via CLEP exams. (A few states allow a long-time Licensed Residential appraiser with a clean record to waive the degree, but this is the exception rather than the rule.)
Exam: Pass the Certified Residential Appraiser exam. This is the national exam for the Certified Residential level, consisting of 125 questions (with a 4-hour limit). The exam will test advanced appraisal concepts, including complex residential scenarios and deeper USPAP applications. Preparation is key, even if you passed the Licensed exam earlier, because this test is more comprehensive.
Application: Apply to your state’s appraisal board for the Certified Residential credential. You’ll submit proof of your 200 hours of education, your college transcripts or proof of alternative requirements, and your detailed experience log. After a background check and application review, you will be awarded your Certified Residential Appraiser license.

Becoming a Certified Residential Appraiser demonstrates a high level of expertise in residential valuation. At this stage, you can take on complex assignments such as high-end properties, properties with limited comps, or unique homes that require greater analysis and judgment.

If you wish to appraise commercial properties or any real estate without restriction, the final step in licensing would be to pursue the General Certification (see Certified General Appraiser Guide for details). Otherwise, as a Certified Residential Appraiser, you have reached the pinnacle for 1–4 unit residential practice. Many appraisers build a long-term, successful career with this credential. Stay current with continuing education and market trends, and you’ll enjoy a rewarding professional life as a Certified Residential Appraiser.

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