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The information contained below is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience and examination requirements established by the California Office of Real Estate Appraisers. The information provided below can be found on the Office’s website.  However, we recommend you contact the OREA for more detailed information and for any changes which may have occurred in the California Administrative Code.

Levels of Licensure:

• Trainee License
• Residential License
• Certified Residential License
• Certified General License

Licensure Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Provide proof of legal presence in the United States
• Must be of good moral character
• Submit proof of completion of the educational requirements for each level of licensure
• Submit proof of completion of the experience requirements for each level of licensure
• For Certified Residential level: Provide proof of satisfactory completion of either a 2 year associates degree or higher, OR a total of 21 semester hours consisting of: English Composition; Principles of Economics, (either Macro or Micro); Finance; Algebra; Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and either Business Law or Real Estate Law
• For Certified General level: Provide proof of satisfactory completion of either a 4 year bachelors degree or higher, OR a total of 30 semester hours consisting of: English Composition; Micro Economics, Macro Economics; Finance; Algebra; Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and either Business Law or Real Estate Law.  Also must include any 2 or the following courses: Accounting; Geography; Agricultural Economics; Business Management. Or Real Estate
• Pass the state examination
• Submit application, required documents, and associated fees

Education Requirements:

On February 20, 2004, the Appraiser Qualifications Board of The Appraisal Foundation adopted changes to the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria that went into effect on January 1, 2008. These changes represent the minimum national requirements that each state must implement for individuals applying for a real estate appraiser license or certification as of January 1, 2008. The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and Interpretations of the Criteria provides in depth information on the new criteria and may be accessed by clicking the hyperlink or is available on The Appraisal Foundation website. The educational hour requirements for CA are:

• 150 hours for the Trainee which consist of the following courses:
  • Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours)
  • Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
  • The 15 Hour National USPAP course or its equivalent (15 hours)
  • Residential Report Writing and Case Studies (15 hours)
  • Residential Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use (15 hours)
  • Residential Appraiser Site Valuation & Cost Approach (15 hours)
  • Residential Sales Comparison & Income Approach (30 hours)
• 150 hours for the Residential Licensed Appraiser which include the same hour requirements as the trainee level
• 200 hours for the Certified Residential Appraiser
• 300 hours for Certified General Appraiser

Experience Requirements:

• Trainee - No experience requirement
• Residential Licensed Appraiser - 2000 hours in not less than 12 months
• Certified Residential Appraiser - 2500 hours in not less than 30 months
• Certified General Appraiser - 3000 hours in not less than 30 months with at least 1500 hours of experience in non-residential appraisals

Continuing Education Requirements:

• The current term of a California real estate appraiser license is two years. Although proof of completion of the 7-hour National USPAP Update Course is required every two years and must be submitted with each renewal application, proof of completion of the remaining continuing education courses is required every four years. Applicants for license renewal must complete a total of 56 hour of continuing education during the four year cycle.
• Continuing education requirements for a real estate appraiser include:
  • An average of 14 hours of continuing education per year of the license term; and
  • Coverage of the required topics
• Although all licensees must complete an average of 14 hours for each calendar year, continuing education is not required to be completed in each specific year
• Required topics for all licenses:
  • USPAP — Each licensee must complete the 7-hour National USPAP Update Course or its equivalent as determined by the AQB) every two years.
  • Laws and Regulations —Licensees must complete the four-hour course entitled Federal and State Laws and Regulations, or licensees may certify that they have read and understand all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. However, the certification does not provide 4-hour “credit” towards the required hours of continuing education.