Education Requirements

Consider taking qualifying education courses from the Appraisal Institute. Our courses are considered to be the best in the profession, featuring the most complete and accurate information, which is taught by our well qualified, experienced faculty of senior appraisers. When you take an Appraisal Institute course, quality and accuracy are guaranteed and you will learn from the finest appraisers in the country. Think about it. You are preparing for a challenging examination. Wouldn’t you feel better knowing that you are getting your education from the most respected organization in the profession?

The required introductory courses are offered through the Southern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute (SCCAI). Be sure to check our website www.sccai.org for the latest schedule.

In addition to courses and seminars, the Appraisal Institute offers a wide array of publications, including the authoritative textbooks used in our educational programs, specialty textbooks and videos focusing on timely topics, and practical handbooks on niche topics. All Appraisal Institute education offerings and publications are developed by experts in the field, who have deep practical knowledge based in real experience. Information on Appraisal Institute publications can be found on the web site www.appraisalinstitute.org.

Why should you consider joining the Appraisal Institute? The simple answer is: The Appraisal Institute has been the “association of record” in the real estate appraisal industry for over 70 years. Our 20,000 members are the leaders of the profession. No other appraisal association can connect you like we can to the heartbeat of real estate analysis and valuation. If you are truly serious about real estate appraisal and analysis, your clients will appreciate that you belong to the most prestigious appraisal education and information network in the world.

Basic Appraisal Principles. If you are considering a career in professional valuation services, your journey should begin with Basic Appraisal Principles. This four-day course will introduce you to real property concepts and characteristics, legal considerations, influences on real estate values, types of value, economic principles, real estate markets and analysis, highest and best use, and ethical considerations. The course will provide a solid foundation in basic appraisal principles no matter what appraisal specialty you pursue. By successfully completing the course and exam, you will have met most states’ education requirements in the content area identified as basic appraisal principles.

Basic Appraisal Procedures. In this four-day course, you will apply the principles and concepts you learned in Basic Appraisal Principles. The course will take you step-by-step through the valuation process including defining the problem, collecting and analyzing data, reaching a final opinion of value and communicating the appraisal. You will learn about the three approaches to reaching an opinion of value—income capitalization, cost, and sales comparison—and apply them in true-to-life case studies and problems. After examining income capitalization methods and formulas, you will learn how rates and multipliers are derived. Through case studies you will discover the steps and concepts involved in the cost approach—how appraisers estimate the cost of constructing a reproduction of or replacement for an existing structure; the three major components of depreciation and methods for estimating and allocating depreciation; and land and site valuation. The course will guide you through the sales comparison approach including researching the market, verifying information, selecting units of comparison, conducting a comparative analysis, making adjustments, and reconciliation. You also will complete key sections of an appraisal report. In addition, the course provides an introduction to property description and construction and design basics. By successfully completing the course and exam you will have met most states’ education requirements for content identified as basic appraisal procedures.

Residential Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use. This two-day course provides a fresh look at the relationship between market analysis and highest and best use. Discover where to find the information you need to make a highest and best use decision and how to interpret the information you find. Learn how to read and map a market area for a subject property and discover the essential links between market analysis, highest and best use analysis, and the three approaches to value (cost, sales comparison, and income capitalization). Gain practical experience by solving highest and best use problems similar to problems you might encounter in the real world. Theory is translated into practice through extensive and varied classroom activities encouraging you to become actively involved in applying concepts to real-world situation. Successful completion of the course and exam should satisfy most states’ education requirements in the content area identified as residential market analysis and highest and best use.

National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Course, 15-Hour. Using the National USPAP Course material developed by the sponsoring organizations of The Appraisal Foundation, this two-day course covers basic rules for ethical behavior and competent performance. The course is designed to comply with USPAP requirements for state certified appraisers and it highlights the role of the appraiser and the implied impartiality often associated with this role. Participants will learn how requirements of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice affect their appraisal businesses.

Go to the Course Calendar to see a list of events.

2005 Southern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. All rights reserved.
Terms of Website Use