Virginia Law

Part II. Entry

18VAC130-20-20. Requirement for registration.

All business entities, both domestic (in-state) and foreign (out-of-state), providing appraisal services shall register with the board by completing an application furnished by the board describing the location, nature, and operation of their practices, and the name and address of the registered agent, an associate, or a partner of the business entity. Along with a completed application form, domestic corporations and limited liability companies shall provide a copy of the certificate as issued by the State Corporation Commission; foreign (out-of-state) corporations and limited liability companies shall provide a copy of the certificate from the State Corporation Commission; partnerships shall provide a copy of the certified Partnership Certificate; and other business entities trading under a fictitious name shall be authorized to conduct business in accordance with Chapter 5 (§ 59.1-69 et seq.) of Title 59.1 of the Code of Virginia. Every business entity providing appraisal services shall provide the name and license number of a board licensee who shall serve as the contact person for the board.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2013 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR583-01-03 § 2.1, eff. April 15, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 31, Issue 20, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 36, Issue 15, eff. May 1, 2020.

18VAC130-20-30. General qualifications for licensure.

Every applicant to the Real Estate Appraiser Board for a certified general, certified residential, or licensed residential real estate appraiser license shall meet the following qualifications:

1. The applicant shall be of good moral character, honest, truthful, and competent to transact the business of a licensed real estate appraiser in such a manner as to safeguard the interests of the public.

2. The applicant shall meet the current educational and experience requirements and submit a license application to the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation or its agent prior to the time the applicant is approved to take the licensing examination. Applications received by the department or the department's agent must be complete within 12 months of the date of the receipt of the license application and fee by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation or the department's agent.

3. The applicant shall sign, as part of the application, a statement verifying that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia real estate appraiser license law and the regulations of the Real Estate Appraiser Board.

4. The applicant shall be in good standing as a real estate appraiser in every jurisdiction where licensed or certified; the applicant may not have had a license or certification that was suspended, revoked, or surrendered in connection with a disciplinary action or that has been the subject of discipline in any jurisdiction prior to applying for licensure in Virginia.

5. The applicant shall possess a background that would not call into question the public trust. Each applicant shall submit to fingerprinting. A background investigation shall be conducted, which shall not reveal that the applicant has been convicted, found guilty, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to a crime that would call into question the applicant's fitness or suitability to engage in the profession. The applicant must disclose the following:

a. All felony convictions; and

b. All misdemeanor convictions except marijuana convictions in any jurisdiction that occurred within five years of the date of application.

Any plea of nolo contendere or finding of guilt regardless of adjudication or deferred adjudication shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision.

6. The applicant shall be at least 18 years old.

7. The applicant shall have successfully completed the following education:

a. Licensed residential classification - 150 hours of approved real estate appraisal courses, including the 15-Hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice course, from accredited colleges, universities, and junior and community colleges; adult distributive or marketing education programs; local, state, or federal government agencies, boards, or commissions; proprietary schools; or real estate appraisal or real estate related organizations. The required core curriculum for the certified general or certified residential real estate appraiser is a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university. The classroom hours required for the licensed residential classification may include the classroom hours required for the appraiser trainee.

b. Certified residential classification - 200 hours of approved real estate appraisal courses, including the 15-Hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice course, from accredited colleges, universities, and junior and community colleges; adult distributive or marketing education programs; local, state, or federal government agencies, boards, or commissions; proprietary schools; or real estate appraisal or real estate related organizations. The classroom hours required for the certified residential classification may include the classroom hours required for the appraiser trainee or the licensed residential classification. The applicant shall also meet one of the following options for the required core curriculum:

(1) A bachelor's degree in any field of study;

(2) An associate's degree in a field of study related to business administration, accounting, finance, economics, or real estate;

(3) Successful completion of 30 semester hours of college-level courses that cover each of the following specific topic areas and hours: English composition ( three hours); microeconomics ( three hours); macroeconomics ( three hours); finance ( three hours); algebra, geometry, or higher math ( three hours); statistics ( three hours); computer science ( three hours); business law or real estate law ( three hours); and two elective courses in any of the topics described in this subdivision or in accounting, geography, agricultural economics, business management, or real estate ( three hours each);

(4) Successful completion of at least 30 hours of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations that cover each of the specific topic areas in subdivision 7 b (3) of this section. For purposes of this option, the CLEP examination for college algebra ( three hours) may be applied to the topic area of algebra, geometry, or higher math; the CLEP examination for college composition ( six hours) may be applied to the topic area of English composition; the CLEP examination for college composition modular ( three hours) may be applied to the topic area of English composition; the CLEP examination for college mathematics ( six hours) may be applied to the topic area of algebra, geometry, or higher math or statistics; the CLEP examination for principles of macroeconomics ( three hours) may be applied to the topic area of macroeconomics or finance; the CLEP examination for principles of microeconomics ( three hours) may be applied to the topic area of microeconomics or finance; the CLEP examination for introductory business law ( three hours) may be applied to the topic area of business law or real estate law; and the CLEP examination for information systems ( three hours) may be applied to the topic area of computer science;

(5) Successful completion of at least 30 hours of any combination of college-level courses and CLEP examinations that includes all of the topics identified in subdivision 7 b (3) of this section; or

(6) No college-level education. This option applies only to applicants who have held a licensed residential credential for a minimum of five years and have no record of any adverse, final, and nonappealable disciplinary action affecting the licensed residential appraiser's legal eligibility to engage in appraisal practice within the five years immediately preceding the date of application for a certified residential credential.

c. Certified general classification - 300 hours of approved real estate appraisal courses, including the 15-Hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice course, from accredited colleges, universities, and junior and community colleges; adult distributive or marketing education programs; local, state, or federal government agencies, boards, or commissions; proprietary schools; or real estate appraisal or real estate related organizations. The applicant must complete an advanced level appraisal course of at least 30 classroom hours in the appraisal of nonresidential properties. The classroom hours required for the certified general classification may include the classroom hours required for the appraiser trainee, the licensed residential classification, or the certified residential classification. The required core curriculum is a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university.

8. The applicant shall, as part of the application for licensure, verify the applicant's experience in the field of real estate appraisal. All applicants must submit, upon application, sample appraisal reports as specified by the board. In addition, all experience must be acquired within the five-year period immediately preceding the date application is made and be supported by adequate written reports or file memoranda, which shall be made available to the board upon request.

a. The applicant for a licensed residential real estate appraiser license shall have a minimum of 1,000 hours of appraisal experience, in no fewer than six months. Hours may be treated as cumulative in order to achieve the necessary 1,000 hours of appraisal experience.

b. The applicant for a certified residential real estate appraiser license shall have a minimum of 1,500 hours of appraisal experience obtained during no fewer than 12 months. Hours may be treated as cumulative in order to achieve the necessary 1,500 hours of appraisal experience.

c. The applicant for a certified general real estate appraiser license shall have a minimum of 3,000 hours of appraisal experience obtained during no fewer than 18 months. Hours may be treated as cumulative in order to achieve the necessary 3,000 hours of appraisal experience. At least 50% of the appraisal experience required (1,500 hours) must be in nonresidential appraisal assignments and include assignments that demonstrate the use and understanding of the income approach. An applicant whose nonresidential appraisal experience is predominately in such properties that do not require the use of the income approach may satisfy this requirement by performing two or more appraisals on properties in association with a certified general appraiser that include the use of the income approach. The applicant must have substantially contributed to the development of the income approach in such reports and shall provide evidence or verification of such contribution.

d. Applicants completing a Licensed Residential Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Program shall receive credit for:

(1) 100% of the experience required by board regulations as a condition of licensure as a licensed residential real estate appraiser;

(2) 67% of the experience required by board regulations as a condition of licensure as a certified residential real estate appraiser; or

(3) 33% of the experience required by board regulations as a condition of licensure as a certified general real estate appraiser.

e. Applicants completing a Certified Residential PAREA Program shall receive credit for:

(1) 100% of the experience required by board regulations as a condition of licensure as a licensed residential real estate appraiser or certified residential real estate appraiser; or

(2) 50% of the experience required by board regulations as a condition of licensure as a certified general real estate appraiser.

9. Within 12 months after being approved by the board to take the examination, the applicant shall have registered for and passed a written examination developed or endorsed by the Appraiser Qualifications Board and provided by the board or by a testing service acting on behalf of the board. Successful completion of the examination is valid for a period of 24 months.

10. Applicants for licensure who do not meet the requirements set forth in subdivisions 4 and 5 of this section may be approved for licensure following consideration of their application by the board.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2013 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR583-01-03 § 2.2, eff. April 15, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 14, Issue 10, eff. March 4, 1998; Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 24, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2008; Errata, 25:15 VA.R. 2804 March 30, 2009; amended, Virginia Register Volume 31, Issue 3, eff. January 1, 2015; Volume 31, Issue 20, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 33, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 2017; Volume 35, Issue 1, eff. November 1, 2018; Volume 38, Issue 6, eff. December 8, 2021; Volume 40, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2024.

18VAC130-20-40. Qualifications for licensure by reciprocity.

Every applicant to the Real Estate Appraiser Board for a license by reciprocity shall have met the following qualifications:

1. An individual who is currently licensed or certified as a real estate appraiser in another jurisdiction may obtain a Virginia real estate appraiser license by providing documentation that the applicant has met educational, experience and examination requirements that are substantially equivalent to those required in Virginia for the appropriate level of licensure.

2. The applicant shall be at least 18 years of age.

3. The applicant shall, as part of the application, verify that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia real estate appraiser license law and the regulations of the Real Estate Appraiser Board.

4. The applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed or certified real estate appraiser in every jurisdiction where licensed or certified; the applicant may not have had a license or certification as a real estate appraiser which was suspended, revoked, or surrendered in connection with a disciplinary action or which has been the subject of discipline in any jurisdiction prior to applying for licensure in Virginia.

5. The applicant shall be of good moral character, honest, truthful, and competent to transact the business of a licensed real estate appraiser in such a manner as to safeguard the interests of the public.

6. The applicant may not have been convicted, found guilty or pled guilty, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or of any felony. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision. A certified copy of a final order, decree, or case decision, by a court with the lawful authority to issue such order, decree, or case decision shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction.

7. Applicants for licensure who do not meet the requirements set forth in subdivisions 4 and 6 of this section may be approved for licensure following consideration by the board.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2013 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR583-01-03 § 2.3, eff. April 15, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003.

18VAC130-20-50. Qualifications for temporary licensure.

An individual who is currently licensed or certified as a real estate appraiser in another jurisdiction may obtain a temporary Virginia real estate appraiser's license as required by Section 1121 of the Federal Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, 12 USCS § 1811.

The appraiser's permanent certification or license issued by another state shall be recognized as equivalent to a Virginia license provided that:

1. The appraiser's business is of a temporary nature, and is limited to one specific assignment not to exceed 12 months. A specific assignment may include multiple properties. The temporary assignment must be complete prior to the expiration date of the permanent certification or license issued by another state.

2. The applicant shall, as part of the application, verify that the applicant has read and understands the Virginia real estate appraiser license law and the regulations of the Real Estate Appraiser Board.

3. The applicant shall be in good standing as a licensed or certified real estate appraiser in every jurisdiction where licensed or certified; the applicant may not have had a license or certification as a real estate appraiser which was suspended, revoked, or surrendered in connection with a disciplinary action.

4. The applicant shall be of good moral character, honest, truthful, and competent to transact the business of a real estate appraiser in such a manner as to safeguard the interest of the public.

5. The applicant may not have been convicted, found guilty or pled guilty, regardless of adjudication, in any jurisdiction of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or of any felony. Any plea of nolo contendere shall be considered a conviction for purposes of this subdivision. A certified copy of a final order, decree, or case decision, by a court with the lawful authority to issue such order, decree, or case decision shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such conviction.

6. Applicants for licensure who do not meet the requirements set forth in subdivisions 3 and 5 of this section may be approved for licensure following consideration by the board.

Applicants for temporary licensure shall verify the above information on an application form provided by the board. A temporary license cannot be renewed. More than one temporary license may be issued per year.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2013 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR583-01-03 § 2.4, eff. April 15, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003.

18VAC130-20-60. Qualifications for licensure as an appraiser trainee.

An applicant for licensure as an appraiser trainee shall meet the following educational requirements in addition to those set forth in subdivisions 1 through 6 and 10 of 18VAC130-20-30.

1. Within the five-year period immediately preceding application for licensure, the applicant shall have successfully completed 75 hours of approved real estate appraisal courses from accredited colleges, universities, junior and community colleges; adult distributive or marketing education programs; local, state or federal government agencies, boards or commissions; proprietary schools; or real estate appraisal or real estate related organizations. The classroom hours shall include the 15-Hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice course.

2. Complete an Appraiser Qualifications Board approved course specifically oriented to the requirements and responsibilities of supervising appraisers and appraiser trainees.

3. There is no experience requirement for the appraiser trainee classification.

4. Responsibilities of supervising appraisers are described in this subdivision.

a. The appraiser trainee shall be subject to direct supervision by a supervising appraiser who completed an Appraiser Qualifications Board approved course specifically oriented to the requirements and responsibilities of supervising appraisers and appraiser trainees, has been state certified for at least three years, is in good standing, and has not been subject to any disciplinary action within the last three years that affects the supervising appraiser's legal eligibility to engage in appraisal practice.

b. The supervising appraiser shall be responsible for the training and direct supervision of the appraiser trainee by:

(1) Accepting responsibility for the appraisal report by signing and certifying the report is in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice;

(2) Reviewing the appraiser trainee appraisal report(s); and

(3) Personally inspecting each appraised property with the appraiser trainee until the supervising appraiser determines the appraiser trainee is competent in accordance with the Competency Provision of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice for the property type.

c. The appraiser trainee is permitted to have more than one supervising appraiser, but a supervising appraiser may not supervise more than three trainees, at one time, unless a state program in the licensing jurisdiction provides for progress monitoring, supervising certified appraiser qualifications, and supervision and oversight requirements for supervising appraisers.

d. An appraisal experience log shall be maintained jointly by the supervising appraiser and the appraiser trainee. It is the responsibility of both the supervising appraiser and the appraiser trainee to ensure the appraisal experience log is accurate, current, and complies with the board's requirements. At a minimum, the appraisal log requirements are (i) type of property, (ii) date of report, (iii) address of appraised property, (iv) description of work performed by the appraiser trainee and scope of the review and supervision of the supervising appraiser, (v) number of actual work hours by the appraiser trainee on the assignment, and (vi) the signature and state certification number of the supervising appraiser. Separate appraisal logs shall be maintained for each supervising appraiser, if applicable.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2013 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR583-01-03 § 2.5, eff. April 15, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 24, Issue 6, eff. January 1, 2008; Volume 29, Issue 19, eff. July 1, 2013; Volume 31, Issue 3, eff. January 1, 2015.

18VAC130-20-70. Requirement for the certification of appraisal education instructors.

Pursuant to the mandate of Title 11 of the Federal Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, and § 54.1-2013 of the Code of Virginia, instructors teaching prelicense educational offerings who are not employed or contracted by accredited colleges, universities, junior and community colleges, adult distributive or marketing education programs are required to be certified by the board. Effective January 1, 2003, all Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice courses taught for prelicense and continuing education credit must be taught by instructors certified by the Appraiser Qualifications Board. Applications received by the department or its agent must be complete within 12 months of the date of the receipt of the license application and fee by the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation or its agent.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-2013 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR583-01-03 § 2.6, eff. April 15, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 19, Issue 18, eff. July 1, 2003; Volume 24, Issue 23, eff. September 1, 2008.

18VAC130-20-80. Qualifications for the certification of instructors.

The applicant shall be in good standing as a real estate appraiser in every jurisdiction where licensed or certified; the applicant may not have had a license or certification which was suspended, revoked or surrendered in connection with a disciplinary action or which has been the subject of discipline in any jurisdiction prior to applying for licensure in Virginia, and shall have:

1. A baccalaureate degree in real estate, economics, finance or business, and have satisfied the state appraisal licensing educational requirements for the level being instructed; or

2. A baccalaureate degree, an appraisal license which has been in good standing for at least two years, and a current certified residential or certified general appraisal license appropriate for the level being instructed; or

3. Seven years of active experience acquired in the appraisal field in the past 10 years, an appraisal license which has been in good standing for at least two years, and a current certified residential or certified general appraisal license appropriate for the level being instructed.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-2013, 54.1-2014 and 54.1-2016 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR583-01-03 § 2.7, eff. April 15, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1995.

18VAC130-20-90. Application and registration fees.

There will be no pro rata refund of these fees to licensees who resign or upgrade to a higher license or to licensees whose licenses are revoked or surrendered for other causes. All application fees for licenses and registrations are nonrefundable.

1. Application fees for registrations, certificates and licenses are as follows:

Application fees for a certified general real estate appraiser, a certified residential real estate appraiser, a licensed residential real estate appraiser and an appraiser trainee include a $37.50 fee for a copy of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. This fee is subject to the fee charged by the Appraisal Foundation and may be adjusted and charged to the applicant in accordance with the fee charged by the Appraisal Foundation.

2. Examination fees. The fee for examination or reexamination is subject to contracted charges to the department by an outside vendor. These contracts are competitively negotiated and bargained for in compliance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act (§ 2.2-4300 et seq. of the Code of Virginia). Fees may be adjusted and charged to the candidate in accordance with this contract.

3. An $80 National Registry fee assessment for all permanent license applicants is to be assessed of each applicant in accordance with § 1109 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 USC §§ 3331–3351). This fee may be adjusted and charged to the applicant in accordance with the Act. If the applicant fails to qualify for licensure, then this assessment fee will be refunded.

Statutory Authority

§§ 54.1-201 and 54.1-2013 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR583-01-03 § 2.8, eff. April 15, 1992; amended, Virginia Register Volume 11, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 1995; Volume 13, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 1997; Volume 14, Issue 10, eff. March 4, 1998; Volume 28, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 2012; Volume 29, Issue 4, eff. January 1, 2013; Volume 31, Issue 20, eff. August 1, 2015; Volume 34, Issue 9, eff. February 1, 2018.