CALIFORNIA APPRAISAL LICENSE COURSES

California Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Requirements

All appraisal licensing in California is regulated by the California Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (CA DIFI) and must comply with the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) criteria.

1️⃣ Registered Trainee Appraiser

To begin your appraisal career in California, you must:

• Complete 79 hours of qualifying education, including:
• 30 hours – Basic Appraisal Principles
• 30 hours – Basic Appraisal Procedures
• 15 hours – National USPAP Course (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice)
  4 hours – Supervisory Appraiser/Trainee Course
• Apply for registration with the California Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (CA DIFI).
• Work under the direct supervision of a Certified Appraiser to gain practical experience.

2️⃣ Licensed Residential Appraiser

To become a Licensed Residential Appraiser, you must:

• Complete at least 150–154 hours of qualifying education (which includes the trainee-level courses).
• Obtain 1,000 hours of supervised appraisal experience in no fewer than 6 months.
  No college degree is required at this level.
• Pass the Licensed Residential Appraiser Examination.

3️⃣ Certified Residential Appraiser

To advance to the Certified Residential Appraiser level, you must:

• Complete 200–204 hours of qualifying education (including all prior coursework).
  Accumulate 1,500 hours of appraisal experience in no fewer than 12 months.

Meet one of the following college education requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field; or
• Associate’s degree in business, economics, or real estate; or
• Completion of 30 semester hours of specific college coursework; or
• Proof of five years of good standing as a Licensed Residential Appraiser.
• Pass the Certified Residential Appraiser Examination.

4️⃣ Certified General Appraiser

This is the highest level of appraisal licensure in California. You must:

• Complete 300–304 hours of qualifying education (including all prior coursework).
• Gain 3,000 hours of appraisal experience in no fewer than 18 months, with at least 1,500 hours in non-residential appraisals.
• Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Pass the Certified General Appraiser Examination.

5️⃣ Continuing Education Requirements

To maintain your California appraisal license, you must complete:

• 28 hours of continuing education every two years, including:
• 7-hour National USPAP Update Course

Valuation Bias & Fair Housing Course:

• 7 hours for first renewal cycle
• 4 hours for subsequent renewals

All continuing education must be state-approved and taken through an AQB and DIFI-approved education provider, such as The CE Shop or Agent Real Estate Schools.

6️⃣ Additional Information

• All applications and renewals are processed through the California Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (AZ DIFI).
• Experience hours must be verified and documented by your Supervisory Appraiser.
• Keep records of all coursework and completion certificates for audit purposes.
• You must renew your license every two years and complete CE before your license expiration date.