How to Become a Certified Residential Appraiser

A Certified Residential Appraiser is a person certified under the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act to perform residential real property appraisals.

Note: To be eligible to apply for a Residential Certification you must:

1. Be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien.
2. Be eighteen (18) years of age or older.
3. Provide 2500 hours of acceptable and verifiable appraisal experience acquired over a minimum of 24 months.
4. Satisfy the board as to the applicants honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity.
5. Applicants will be required to pay a National Registry fee after the exam is passed and the experience requirements are met to obtain an active license.

1. Education Requirement

   The following education is required to become a Certified Residential Appraiser:

   1. Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours)
   2. Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
   3. 15-Hour national USPAP or Equivalent (15 hours)
   4. Residential Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use (15 hours)
   5. Residential Appraiser Site Evaluation and Cost Approach (15 hours)
   6. Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches (30 hours)
   7. Residential Report Writing and Case Studies (15 hours)
   8. Statistics, Modeling and Finance (15 hours)
   9. Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies (15 hours)
   10. Appraisal Subject Matter Electives (20 hours)

   Total Hours Required – 200 Hours

   Plus an associates degree or higher OR 21 semester credit hours in the following courses:

   1. English Composition
   2. Principles of Economics (Micro or Macro)
   3. Finance
   4. Algebra, Geometry, or higher math
   5. Statistics
   6. Computer Science
   7. Business or Real Estate Law

   Evidence of successful completion shall be presented via credit transcript or course completion certificate when filing an application. DO NOT submit original transcripts and/or course completion certificates. Keep the originals for your personal files and send copies to the Board.

   ---

2. Filing Your Application

   After you have completed your education, you may file the Application for Certification (Certified Residential Appraiser) and pay the filing fee.

   The $354.00 application fee must be submitted at the time the application is filed. Please note that an application received without the appropriate fee will be rejected and the fee will be returned. The fee should be submitted in one check, cashiers check or money order payable to the TALCB. Cash will not be accepted. The application and fee should be mailed to:
   
   Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board
   P O Box 12188
   Austin, TX 78711-2188

   ALL FEES ARE NONREFUNDABLE.

   ---

3. Examination

   An examination is required and must be passed within 1 year of the application filing date. All requirements must be satisfied, including successfully passing the examination before a certification will be issued. An applicant is prohibited from taking the exam after three failed attempts. An applicant who fails the exam by one to five points must complete an additional 15 hours of education. An applicant who failed by six to ten points must take 30 hours, etc., with a maximum of 60 hours. After the education requirements have been met, an applicant will receive instructions on how to obtain a copy of the Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) which will provide instructions on how to make reservations to take the examination. The examination fee is $61.00 each time the exam is taken. 

• Request for Inactive Status

  Appraisers can request inactive status in one of two situations:

  1. If the certification is active, the renewal fee must be submitted along with the Request for Inactive Status form for CURRENTLY certified or licensed appraisers and the required $25.00 inactive fee. The current original certification must accompany the request for inactive status form. The request will be returned if all required documents are not submitted.
  2. If the certification is expired for one year or less, the Renewal of Appraiser Certification form must be submitted along with the renewal fee. An inactive license will issue if the box is checked to renew under inactive status.
  
  

• Request to Return To Active Status

  An appraiser who wishes to return to active status must:

  1. Satisfy 28 hours of appraiser continuing education for each two-year renewal period the certification has been inactive, which must include the 7-hour National USPAP Update course.
  2. Submit copies of education documents along with the Request for Active Status form.
  3. Pay the $80.00 National Registry fee and $50.00 active status fee ($130.00 total).

  ---

• Renewal Requirements for Residential Certification

  The license or certification issued by the board is valid for two years after the date of issue. Appraisers will receive a renewal notice approximately 90 days before the renewal filing deadline. Failure to receive the renewal notice does not relieve the appraiser of the responsibility of timely applying for renewal. The license or certification will expire if the renewal is not timely submitted.

  To renew your license you must:

  1. Go online to the TALCB website and pay the renewal fee of $370.00. If you file a paper renewal form, it must be postmarked no later than the expiration date of the certification. If you file by paper, the renewal fee will be $390.00 (includes a $20.00 paper filing fee).
  2. Satisfy the required 28 hours of appraiser continuing education, which must include completion of the 7-hour National USPAP Update course, unless renewing on inactive status. Submit copies of course completion certificates with the renewal. Credit will not be awarded for the same course taken within a 3-year period.

  A certified licensee who is unable to complete the 28 hours of continuing education may request an extension of education requirements by renewing the license AND submitting the ACE Extension Request form along with an additional $200.00 fee. An extension must be submitted by the expiration date. Persons granted a 60-day extension may not perform appraisals in federally-related transactions. The education must be completed within 60 days of the extension expiration date or the certification will automatically be placed on inactive status and sponsorship of any trainees will be terminated. Provide copies of course completion certificates to verify satisfactory completion of courses.

  ---

• To Renew an Expired Residential Certification

  Submit the Renewal of Appraiser Certification form with the appropriate filing fee.

  To Return on Active Status

  If Appraiser Continuing Education (ACE) is complete and the National Registry fee is paid, the license will be issued ACTIVE.

  To Return Under Inactive Status

  An inactive license will be issued if the box is checked to renew on inactive status. The National Registry fee or ACE is not required if renewing inactive.

  If the license is expired more than six months, the individual must re-apply and retake the examination.

Home Contact TALCB Disclaimer Privacy Policy Open Records   Texas.gov Statewide Search Texas Homeland Security Where the Money Goes Report Fraud