(**) Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning our company, JCHQ Publishing will get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through the links, but at no additional cost to you.
I recently stumbled upon a post that hit me right in the feels. It’s a story that I believe every aspiring appraiser should hear, so I wanted to share it and talk about an important lesson we can all take away from it.
So here’s the deal – imagine working hard for a year and a half, for little pay, all with your eyes on the prize: becoming a certified appraiser. You’re juggling life, maybe kids, perhaps even dealing with personal losses, but you keep pushing through because you know it’ll be worth it in the end. Now, picture learning that all those hours, all that sacrifice, didn’t count for squat. Feels like a nightmare, right?
Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened to a woman I’ll call Jane (not her real name). Jane’s supervisor hadn’t taken the Supervisory Appraiser/Trainee Appraiser Course – a big no-no. The worst part? Jane found out after she’d done the time, making the revelation a gut-punch.
Now, let’s break it down. What’s this course, and why’s it such a big deal?
Well, it’s a 4-hour class that every supervisory appraiser has got to take before they can take a trainee under their wing. It covers the basics, like the roles and responsibilities of each party, and lays down the ethical and regulatory groundwork to ensure both the trainee and supervisor are on the same page.
So, Jane’s supervisor not taking the course? That means her hours didn’t count. I can’t even imagine the frustration and disappointment.
Now, if you’re a trainee, or thinking about becoming one, let Jane’s story be the wake-up call we all need.
Before you dive headfirst into this journey, make sure you do these things:
1) Check Your Supervisor’s Credentials:
Seriously, ask for proof. It might feel awkward, but trust me, it’s a lot less awkward than finding out your hours don’t count down the line.
I just spent a few hours looking through all the Appraiser Board websites. Some states, such as Arizona, Iowa, and New York, post the list of approved Supervisory Appraisers. For most other states, however, you need to contact the Licensing Board directly to confirm.
I’ve included my findings in the table below. I hope it helps.
2) Educate Yourself:
Know the requirements like the back of your hand. For example, besides the education requirement, in most states, a supervisor cannot take on more than 3 trainees at a time. So if something feels off, speak up. It’s your future on the line.
Also, the supervisory appraiser needs to hold a specific type of appraiser license for a specific property type. For example, if you are looking to get into commercial properties, it is best to work under the supervision of a qualified CG appraiser
3) Join a Community:
Connect with other trainees. Share stories, ask questions, and support each other. You’re all in this together. Although there are many online appraiser groups, here are a few where members are constantly active and engaging in helpful discussions.
- Appraiser Trainees Learning Together
- 100% Real Estate Appraisers Trainees Group
- Real Estate Appraisal Professionals
In a nutshell – don’t skip the due diligence. I’m really feel sorry about Jane, and she’s in a dilemma about whether to continue pursuing the appraiser career or not. But it’s a lesson for all of us. I genuinely hope the State Board could make some kind of exception for her case. (Maybe have the supervisor take the required course within a certain period of time?) Anyway, this is just a thought, but for the rest of us, let’s be informed and make every hour count.
Stay savvy, future appraisers.
The first step to begin in this career is to complete the appraisal education requirement. McKissock has years of experience in providing high-quality appraisal courses. Here’s the link to their online classes. (**)
| States | Is Your Supervisory Appraiser Really Qualified? |
|---|---|
| Alabama | I couldn’t find the list of approved supervisors, but here’s the directory to look up for all the appraisers.
The best is to contact the State Board. Here‘s their contact form. |
| Alaska | I couldn’t find the list of approved supervisors, but here’s the directory to look up for all the appraisers.
The best is to contact the State Board. Here‘s their contact form. |
| Arizona | Here‘s the list of Designated Supervisor Appraiser. You may be able to find a more updated list on the State Board website.
Here are their contact info: |
| Arkansas | I couldn’t find the list of approved supervisors, but here’s the their Roster Search to look up for all the appraisers.
The best is to contact the State Board. Here’s their contact form. |
| California | When you visit the Licensing Board website, it shows all the appraisers. Click on the name of the supervisor you’re considering to work with, in there, it will direct you to their profile and show you which CE courses they’ve taken.
Here’s the contact info of the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers |
| Colorado | “The State of Colorado does not have licensure levels for trainees and supervisors. However, appraisers must follow USPAP requirements when they take on a trainee.” Quote from Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies |
| Connecticut | I couldn’t find the list of approved supervisors, but here’s the directory to look up for all the appraisers.
The best is to contact the State Board. Email: DCP.RealEstateAppraisal@ct.gov |
| Delaware | The supervisor needs to attach the Supervisor/Trainee Course completion certification when submitting the Verification of Real Estate Appraiser Supervision Application. |
| Florida | I couldn’t find the list of approved supervisors, but here’s their online directory to look up for all the appraisers.
The best is to contact the State Board. Here’s their contact info. |
| Georgia | I couldn’t find the list of approved supervisors, but here’s the directory to look up for all the appraisers.
The best is to contact the State Board. |
| Hawaii | The supervisor needs to attach the Supervisor/Trainee Course completion certification when submitting the Appraiser Trainee Application.
Phone No.: (808) 586-3000 |
| Idaho | The supervisor needs to attach the Supervisor/Trainee Course completion certification when submitting the Appraiser Trainee Application.
Website: https://dopl.idaho.gov |
| Illinois | The supervisor needs to attach the Supervisor/Trainee Course completion certification when submitting the Supervisor and Trainee Association Application.
Phone: 800-560-6420 |
| Indiana | The supervisor needs to upload the Supervisor/Trainee Course completion certification when submitting the Supervisor Transfer of Appraiser Trainee License Application. |
| Iowa | The Iowa Real Estate Appraiser Examining Board actually posted the list of potential supervisors.
You can also find the contact info of the appraisers through the License Search |
| Kansas | Couldn’t find much info. Better contact the Board office at (785) 296-6736 or via e-mail to caroll.a.pessagno@ks.gov
Here‘s the Supervision Experience Requirement. |
| Kentucky | Supervisor would need to submit the “Real Estate Appraiser Supervisor Application” .
You may contact the Appraisers Board to confirm: |
| Louisiana | Couldn’t find any info. Please contact the Appraiser Board. |
| Maine | I couldn’t find the list of approved supervisors, but here’s the directory to look up for all the appraisers.
The best is to contact the Appraisers Board. rlestateappr.board@maine.gov |
| Maryland | The supervisor needs to upload the Supervisor/Trainee Course completion certification when submitting the Trainee and Supervising Appraiser Registration/Termination Form.
The best is to contact the Appraisers Board. DLOPLRealEstateAppraiser-LABOR@maryland.gov |
| Massachusetts | The supervisor needs to submit the Supervisor/Trainee Course completion certification when completing the Appraiser Education Reporting Form.
Check out with the Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers dpl-appraiser-board@mass.gov |
| Michigan | Couldn’t find much info. Best to contact the State Appraisers Board at – 517-241-0199 – BPLHelp@michigan.gov |
| Minnesota | You could first check on the Pulse Portal to ensure the supervisor has an appraiser license.
Then contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce, Licensing Department to ensure whether they qualify as a supervisory appraiser. |
| Mississippi | The supervisor needs to provide the Supervisor/Trainee Course completion certification when completing the SUPERVISING APPRAISER’S ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE APPRAISER INTERN form. You may look up the appraiser license through this online directory. The contact the Appraisal Board to confirm their supervisor status. |
| Missouri | Part of the requirement for the Trainee Application is to provide verification proof of successful completion of the Supervisor/Trainee course for the SUPERVISOR.
You may confirm with the State Commission. |
| Montana | Check with Montana Board of Real Estate Appraisers Phone: 406-841-2375 dlibsdwebhelp@mt.gov |
| Nebraska |
Here is the list of Supervisory Appraisers You may also confirm with the Nebraska Real Property Appraiser Board Email: nrpab.credentialing@nebraska.gov |
| Nevada |
Check with the Nevada Real Estate Division realest@red.nv.gov |
| New Hampshire | Although you can look up an appraiser license through the online licensing directory, it doesn’t indicate whether they qualify as a supervisor or not. The best is to contact the Board Office at OPLCLicensing2@oplc.nh.gov |
| New Jersey |
You can look up an appraiser license through the License Search Directory, but it doesn’t specify whether they qualify as a supervisor or not. Better to contact the State Board: KirkC@dca.njoag.gov |
| New Mexico |
When completing the “Supervisor Declaration“, the supervisor needs to include a copy of the supervisor/trainee course certification. But it’s always better to confirm with the Appraisal Board: (505) 222-9824 | nm.reab@rld.nm.gov |
| New York | Here’s the list of Approved Supervisory Appraisers.
And you may confirm with the Licensing Services Division at: |
| North Carolina | Supervisor would need to acknowledge that they’ve completed the Supervisor/Trainee course when completing the Supervisor Declaration form.
You may verify with the North Carolina Appraisal Board |
| North Dakota | Contact Board Office to confirm: – Telephone: (701) 222-1051 – jcampbell@bis.midco.net Here is more info on the Apprentice and Supervisor |
| Ohio | Supervisor would need to acknowledge they’ve completed the required course found in OAC 1301:11-7-02(K) when they submit the “Appraiser Assistant Supervisor Notification Form”
You may check with the Board office: |
| Oklahoma | Supervisor would need to acknowledge they’ve completed the required course found in OAC 600:10-1-16(d) when they submit the “Report of Supervisory Relationship”
You may check with the Board office: |
| Oregon | Supervising Appraisers need to provide “Supervising Appraiser/Appraiser Assistant Training Course completion certificate” when completing the Supervising Appraiser Endorsement.
You may verify the supervisor’s status with the Licensure Board: |
| Pennsylvania | Supervising Appraisers need to attach a copy of the course completion certificate when completing the Registry for Supervisor of Licensed Appraiser Trainee.
You may verify the supervisor’s status with the State Board: |
| Rhode Island | Supervising Appraisers need to attach a copy of the course completion certificate when completing the Trainee Affidavit
You may verify the supervisor’s status with the State Board: |
| South Carolina | You may first search on the online directory to confirm that the appraiser has a license. Then you may contact the Appraiser Board to confirm whether they meet the qualification to be a supervisor:
Phone: (803) 896-4630 |
| South Dakota | Supervising Appraisers need to attach a copy of the course completion certificate when completing the Supervisory Appraiser Endorsement form.
You may verify the supervisor’s status with the State Board: |
| Tennessee | Please check with the State Department at RealEstate.Appraisers@tn.gov |
| Texas | Supervisory appraisers must complete an approved ATSA course as one of the requirements for supervising a trainee. The supervisory appraiser must complete an approved ATSA course every four years while supervising one or more trainees. The supervisory appraiser may request ACE credit for taking the course by emailing a copy of the course completion certificate to licensing.talcb@talcb.texas.gov. |
| Utah |
Before a supervisor can start supervising a Trainee Appraiser, they need to complete a 6-Hour Utah specific course that specifically covers the requirements and responsibilities of Supervisory Appraisers and Trainee Appraisers in Utah. Although you can look up appraiser licenses in the Utah license system, it didn’t specify whether one qualify as a supervisor. Best to contact the Division of Real Estate to confirm: melissamcgill@utah.gov| 801-530-6748 |
| Vermont | Best to contact the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation. Here’s their online contact form. |
| Virginia | Searched through the State Department site, but couldn’t locate their list of supervisory appraisers. Better contact them directly at REAppraisers@dpor.virginia.gov or (804) 367-2039 |
| Washington |
I searched through the license lookup system, but it doesn’t specify whether an appraiser is qualified to be a supervisor or not. So the best is to contact the Appraisal Board at 360-664-6504 or reappraisers@dol.wa.gov. |
| West Virginia | Although you can find the list of appraisers through the Licensing Board website, you need to contact them directly to find out whether one is qualified to be a supervisor or not. Phone: (304)558-3919 Fax (304) 558-3983 |
| Wisconsin | Please contact the Licensing Board Office (608) 266-2112 or dsps@wi.gov |
| Wyoming | Please contact the Appraiser Board at rec-appraiserboard@wyo.gov or Phone: (307) 777-7141 ext. 2 |
Related posts that you may find helpful:
- Trouble Finding a Supervisory Appraiser? Check out PAREA!
- What to Look For and Expect From a Supervisory Appraiser?
- How to Find a Supervisory Appraiser? (Tips from CG Appraiser and Trainee)
If you are reading up to this point, I bet you must be interested in the real estate appraiser profession. Your first step is to complete the pre-licensing courses. You should select one that has an excellent reputation and long-term track record of satisfying students. McKissock is exactly that! You may click here to check it out yourself. (**)
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Disclaimer: The information in this post is for general information only, and not intend to provide any advice. They are subjected to change without any notice, and not guaranteed to be error-free. Some of the posts on this site may contain views and opinions from individual not related to JCHQ Publishing. They do not necessarily reflect our view or position.
