Get Your Pennsylvania Real Estate Appraiser License

Learn about the Pennsylvania appraisal education requirements for licensing and renewal.

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

Pennsylvania Appraisal Licensure Levels:

• Appraiser Trainee 
• Certified Residential Appraiser
• Certified General Appraiser 

Pennsylvania Appraisal Licensure Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Must meet the educational requirement for the applying level of appraiser licensure
• Must meet the experience requirement for the applying level of appraiser licensure
• For Certified Residential level, one of the following is required:
• Bachelor degree in ANY field
• Associate's Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Real Estate
• Completion of 30 hours of (1) relevant coursework, or (2) College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams (3) or some mix of both
• For Certified General level:  A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree OR 30 college semester hours in specific subject matters is also required. An alternative to the education requirement is also available: 5 years of experience, 5 years without any disciplinary action and completion of specific additional education
• Satisfactory completion of the state examination
• Submit application, required documents, and associated fees

Appraiser School Education Requirements:

• 75 hours for the Trainee Appraiser coursers which include: Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours), Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours), 15 Hour National USPAP Course or its equivalent (15 hours) and 4 hours of Supervisor/Trainee education.
• 200 Hours for the Certified Residential Appraiser which consist of the same 150 hours of Licensed Appraiser education AND: Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours), Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours), 15 Hour National USPAP Course or its equivalent (15 hours), Residential Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use (15 hours), Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach (15 hours), Residential Report Writing and Case Studies (15 Hours), Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approach (30 hours) Statistics, Modeling and Finance (15 hours), Advanced Residential Application and Case Studies (15 hours), Appraisal Subject Matter Electives (20 hours)
• 300 hours for the Certified General Appraiser which includes the same 200 hours for the Certified Residential Appraiser education AND: Income Property Appraisal (60 hours), General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies (10 hours), General Appraiser Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use (15 hours)

Experience Requirements:

• Appraiser Trainee – No experience required
• Certified Residential Appraiser – 1500 hours in 12 months
• Certified General Appraiser – 3000 hours in 18 months with at least 1500 hours of experience in non-residential appraisals

Pennsylvania Appraisal Continuing Education Requirements:

• Certificates expire June 30th of odd number years 
• All licensees must complete 28 hours of continuing education appraiser classes during the two year cycle 
• 7 hours must include the USPAP Update course or its equivalent  
• 2 hours must include the Real Estate Appraisers Certification Act or Assessors Certification Act and the Board’s regulations and policies