How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser

Becoming a real estate appraiser is an exciting career choice.

Appraisers help determine the value of real estate.

They work closely with agents, investors, banks, buyers, and sellers to identify the value of a specific property or home. This helps entities find a fair value of the real estate to sell it at the right price.

Becoming a real estate appraiser requires time, effort, and studying. However, once you become an appraiser, you will find the work was worthwhile.

How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser

To become a real estate appraiser, there are 9 steps you must meet:

1. Meet the Age Requirement (18+ Years Old)

You must be at least 18 years of age to be a residential real estate appraiser. An associate's, bachelor's, or doctorate degree from college or university is not required. You can be fresh out of high school and ready to dive into appraisal studies. A real estate appraiser is a great career option if you enjoy houses, report writing, and numerical analysis.

2. Complete 150 Hours of Coursework

To sit for the State Exam, California still requires 150 hours of AQB-approved qualifying education. Since 2023, every initial (or upgrade) applicant must also finish:

• 4-hour California State & Federal Laws & Regulations course
• 1-hour Cultural Competency course

Together, these courses ensure you understand both USPAP and California-specific rules.

You now get up to five (5) attempts within one year to pass the licensing exam before having to retake the prerequisite courses.

3. Apply For Initial Appraisal License

When you’re ready, submit your application to the California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA). Attach your course certificates, the correct REA forms, and the required fees.

4. Pass a Background Check

After their waiting and verification period, the BREA will issue a date for your initial Appraisal License exam. Along with this, you are requested to send in a Live Scan. A Live Scan is a fingerprint and background check. Once you have completed these requirements and sent in the verification, you are ready for your exam.

5. Pass the State Exam

Sharpen your pencils–it's time for a test! After you pass the exam, you have one (1) calendar year to pass the exam, pay any additional fees, and get your real estate appraisal license. However, this does not mean that you can appraise independently–yet. At this point, you have to find an established appraiser who is can train you. Additionally, they cannot have trained three (3) real estate appraiser trainees prior to you.

6. Work 1,000 Hours as a Real Estate Appraiser Trainee

Once you hold a Trainee (AT) permit, the next milestone is the Licensed Residential (AL) credential. BREA requires 1,000 hours of documented appraisal work completed in no fewer than six months—roughly 40 hours a week for half a year.

Your time must be recorded on Form REA 3004 and signed by a certified supervisory appraiser who has been licensed for at least three years and is supervising no more than three trainees at once. You may split those hours between different supervisors or even two firms, as long as each appraisal assignment meets USPAP and is properly logged.

Tip: Partner with a seasoned, well-reviewed certified appraiser; their guidance not only satisfies BREA oversight rules but also expands your professional network and deepens real-world valuation skills.

7. Upgrade to Certified Residential (Optional, but Common)

If you want broader signing authority, accumulate a total of 1,500 experience hours in no fewer than 12 months (that’s 500 additional hours beyond the AL requirement). Submit a new upgrade application, pass the Certified Residential exam, and you’ll be cleared to appraise one-to-four-unit residential properties of any value, plus certain non-residential assignments up to $250k.

8. Apply for Your Residential (AL or AR) License

When your supervisor approves your experience log and you’ve practiced report writing, file the upgrade packet with BREA, pay the issuance fee, and await confirmation.

9. Receive Your Real Estate Appraiser License

After you get your license, you can file with banks, loan reps, and more. This will allow you to receive requests for jobs. If you follow the typical appraiser’s business model, you will be self-employed. Therefore, you will have to market your service and prospect for leads. Unlike a real estate agent, your target market is not the consumer. You will have a different marketing strategy than typical agents or title reps.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to become a real estate appraiser?

It typically takes 1-2 years, depending on your state's requirements and how quickly you complete coursework and experience hours.

How much does it cost to become a real estate appraiser?

How much does a real estate appraiser earn?

Is being a real estate appraiser worth it?

Yes! Appraisers enjoy job stability, flexible work schedules, and the ability to work independently. It is a lucrative career path with opportunities for growth.

Final Thoughts on Becoming a Real Estate Appraiser

You will be churning out reports on a weekly basis and, hopefully, getting multiple jobs a week. Once you are “on the list” with a lender or bank, you are will be more likely to receive passive work. It is a facet of the real estate industry that operates heavily on trust capital and experience. This is why it is helpful to do your 2,000 hours with a professional, profitable, and busy appraiser–your name gets in front of the right people even before you are licensed.

This job path requires a big time investments. At first, it can seem daunting. You have to spend more than year studying and training for the chance to become a real estate appraiser. But, when you apply yourself and do the work well,  you will achieve your goal. And, when you do, you will realize what a terrific decision it was.