The information contained below is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience and examination requirements established by the Iowa Real Estate Appraisers Board.

The information can be found in the Board’s website. However, we recommend that you contact the Appraisal Board for more detailed information.

Levels of Licensure

• Associate Appraiser
• Certified Residential Appraiser
• Certified General Appraiser

Licensure Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• 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 (no exam requirement for Associate Appraiser)
• 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 IA are:

• 75 hours for the Associate Appraiser which consist of :
• Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours)
• Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
• The 15 Hour National USPAP course or its equivalent (15 hours)
• 200 hours for the Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser
• 300 hours for Certified General Real Property Appraiser

Experience Requirements:

• No experience requirement for the Associate Appraiser level
• Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser - 2500 hours in no less than 24 months
• Certified General Real Property Appraiser - 3000 hours in no less than 30 months with at least 1500 hours of experience in non-residential appraisals

Continuing Education:

• All licensees are required to complete 28 hours of continuing education during the two year renewal period.
• Licensees must complete a 7 hour USPAP update course or its equivalent once every two years
• Licensees must complete a 7 hours report writing course once every two years
• No more than 14 of the 28 hours may be taken by distance education