Virginia Law

As used in this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Appraisal" means an analysis, opinion, or conclusion relating to the nature, quality, value, or utility of specified interests in, or aspects of, identified real estate or identified real property. An appraisal may be classified by subject matter into either a valuation or analysis. A "valuation" is an estimate of the value of real estate or real property. An "analysis" is a study of real estate or real property other than estimating value. The term "appraiser" or "appraisal" may be used only by a person licensed or certified by the Board.

"Appraisal report" means any communications, written or oral, of an appraisal.

"Board" means the Real Estate Appraiser Board.

"Certified general real estate appraiser" means an individual who meets the requirements for licensure that relate to the appraisal of all types of real estate and real property and is licensed as a certified general real estate appraiser. This designation is identified in Title 11, § 1116 (a) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. § 3345 (a)) as a "state certified real estate appraiser."

"Certified residential real estate appraiser" means an individual who meets the requirements for licensure for the appraisal of (i) all types of real estate and real property that a licensed residential real estate appraiser is permitted to appraise and (ii) such other real estate and real property as the Board, by regulation, may permit.

To the extent permitted by federal law and regulation, a certified residential real estate appraiser shall be considered a state certified real estate appraiser within the meaning of Title 11, § 1116 (a) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. § 3345 (a)).

"Department" means the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

"Director" means the Director of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation.

"Evaluation" means an opinion of the market value of real property or real estate that may be utilized in connection with a real estate-related financial transaction where an appraisal by a state-certified or state-licensed appraiser is not required by the state or federal financial institution's regulatory agency engaging in, contracting for, or regulating such real estate-related financial transaction or regulating the financial institution or lender engaged in or about to engage in such real estate-related financial transaction. An evaluation is limited in its scope and development to the requirements for evaluations as set forth in the Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines promulgated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency et al. (75 F.R. 77450).

"Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the National Credit Union Administration, the Resolution Trust Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.

"Federally related transaction" means any real estate-related financial transaction which:

1. A federal financial institutions regulatory agency engages in, contracts for or regulates; and

2. Requires the services of an appraiser.

"General real estate appraisal" means an appraisal conducted by an individual licensed as a certified general real estate appraiser.

"Licensed residential real estate appraiser" means an individual who meets the requirements for licensure for the appraisal of any residential real estate or real property of one to four family residential units as the Board, by regulation, may permit, and such other real estate and real property as the Board, by regulation, may permit.

This designation is identified in Title 11, § 1116 (c) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. § 3345 (c)) as a "state-licensed appraiser."

"Real estate" means an identified parcel or tract of land, including improvements thereon, if any.

"Real estate-related financial transaction" means any transaction involving:

1. The sale, lease, purchase, investment in or exchange of real property, including interests in property, or the financing thereof;

2. The refinancing of real property or interests in real property; or

3. The use of real property or interests in real property as security for a loan or investment, including mortgage-backed securities.

"Real property" means one or more defined interests, benefits or rights inherent in the ownership of real estate.

"Regulation" means any regulations promulgated by the Real Estate Appraiser Board pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

"Residential real estate appraisal" means an appraisal conducted by a licensed residential real estate appraiser or a certified residential real estate appraiser.

1990, c. 459; 1995, c. 327; 2018, c. 644.

A. The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to:

1. A real estate broker or salesperson licensed in the Commonwealth who, in the ordinary course of business, provides a valuation or analysis of real estate for a fee; however, such person shall not hold himself out as a real estate appraiser, and the valuation shall not be referred to as an appraisal and shall not be used in lieu of an appraisal performed by a licensed appraiser.

2. An officer or employee of the United States of America, or of the Commonwealth or a political subdivision thereof, where the employee or officer is performing his official duties, provided that such individual does not furnish advisory service for compensation to the public or act as an independent contracting party in the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof in connection with the appraisal of real estate or real property.

3. Any person who, in the ordinary course of business, provides consulting services or consultative brokerage for a fee, which services may include a valuation or analysis of real estate or standing or severed timber; provided such consulting services or consultative brokerage shall not be referred to as an appraisal and shall not be used in connection with obtaining a loan to finance or refinance real property or standing or severed timber or in connection with any federally related transaction.

4. Any person who, in the regular course of business, provides services to his employer, which services may include a valuation or analysis of real estate, provided such services shall not be referred to as an appraisal and shall not be used in lieu of an appraisal performed by an appraiser licensed hereunder.

5. Any person, including (i) a licensed residential real estate appraiser, certified residential real estate appraiser, or certified general real estate appraiser or (ii) an employee of a financial institution or lender, who provides an evaluation of real estate or real property in connection with a real estate-related financial transaction where an appraisal by a state-certified or state-licensed appraiser is not required by the state or federal financial institution's regulatory agency engaging in, contracting for or regulating such real estate-related financial transaction or regulating the financial institution or lender engaged in or about to engage in such real estate-related financial transaction. The evaluations provided by such persons shall comply with any standards imposed by the state or federal financial institution's or lender's regulatory agencies for evaluations prepared by nonstate-certified or nonstate-licensed appraisers.

B. Nothing contained herein shall proscribe the powers of a judge to determine who may qualify as an expert witness to testify in any legal proceeding.

1990, c. 459; 1992, c. 68; 1995, c. 327; 1999, c. 259; 2017, cc. 258, 269.

A. After December 31, 1992, except as provided in § 54.1-2010 and in subsections C and E of this section, it shall be unlawful to engage in the appraisal of real estate or real property for compensation or valuable consideration in this Commonwealth without first obtaining a real estate appraiser's license in accordance with Board regulations promulgated pursuant to the Administrative Process Act (§ 2.2-4000 et seq.).

B. After December 31, 1992, except as provided in § 54.1-2010, it shall be unlawful for any person who is not licensed pursuant to this chapter to perform an appraisal in connection with a federally related transaction.

C. Notwithstanding subsections A and B of this section, an individual who is not a licensed residential real estate appraiser, a certified residential real estate appraiser, or a certified general real estate appraiser may assist in the preparation of and sign an appraisal if:

1. The assistant is under the direct supervision of a licensed residential real estate appraiser, a certified residential real estate appraiser, or a certified general real estate appraiser; and

2. The appraisal is reviewed, attested to be accurate and complete, and signed by such licensed residential real estate appraiser, certified residential real estate appraiser, or certified general real estate appraiser in accordance with this chapter.

D. This chapter shall not prevent or affect the practice of any profession or trade for which licensing, certification, or registration is required under any other Virginia law.

E. A corporation, partnership, or other business entity may provide appraisal services if each appraisal is prepared and signed by an individual licensed in accordance with this chapter and such corporation, partnership, or other business entity has registered with the Board. However, any appraisal management company that is required to be licensed under § 54.1-2021.1 shall not be required to have an additional license under this section.

F. An appraiser engaged by an appraisal management company to perform appraisal services shall disclose the actual fee paid to the appraiser by the appraisal management company as part of the appraisal report. The disclosure of such fee shall not be prohibited by the appraisal management company as otherwise provided in § 54.1-2022.

1990, c. 459; 1992, c. 338; 2012, c. 405.

A. The Real Estate Appraiser Board shall be composed of 10 members as follows: (i) six members shall be licensed as real estate appraisers, provided that, at all times, at least two of the appraiser members on the Board shall be certified general real estate appraisers and one shall be a certified residential real estate appraiser, and provided further, that all six appraiser members have been licensed for a period of at least five years prior to their appointment; (ii) one member shall be an officer or employee familiar with mortgage lending of a financial institution as defined in § 6.2-100 or an affiliate or subsidiary thereof; (iii) one member shall be an officer or employee of an appraisal management company; and (iv) two members shall be citizen members. The terms of Board members shall be four years.

The appointment of appraiser members may be made from lists of at least three names each, submitted by Virginia affiliates of professional appraisal organizations that are members of the Appraisal Foundation. The appointment of the bank or savings institution member may be made from lists of at least three names each, submitted by the Virginia Bankers Association and the Virginia Association of Community Banks. The appointment of the appraisal management company member may be made from lists of at least three names each, submitted by the Virginia Bankers Association. Nominations for appointments to regular terms shall be submitted to the Governor on or before June 1 of each year. The Governor may notify the above organizations of any vacancy other than by expiration and like nominations may be made for the filling of the vacancy. In no case shall the Governor be bound to make any appointment from among the nominees.

Notwithstanding § 54.1-200, all members of the Board, including the citizen members, shall be eligible to participate in all matters, including decisions regarding the examination of applicants for licensure and decisions regarding the professional competence of licensees.

The Board shall elect a chairman and a vice-chairman from its membership, provided that the chairman shall be an appraiser member.

The Board shall meet at least once each year, and additional meetings may be called by the chairman or, if the chairman is incapacitated, by the vice-chairman, as deemed necessary.

The Board shall adopt a seal by which it shall authenticate its proceedings.

B. As soon as practicable, the Board shall determine the anticipated availability of licensed and certified appraisers to perform appraisals in Virginia. If, at any time, the Board determines that there is, or will be, a scarcity of certified general real estate appraisers, certified residential real estate appraisers, or licensed residential real estate appraisers to perform appraisals in connection with federally related transactions in any part of Virginia that leads, or will lead, to significant delays in the performance of such appraisals, the Board, subject to federal approval, shall extend the effective date of the licensing requirements of this chapter to the extent permitted under any temporary waiver granted under the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989, as amended (12 U.S.C. § 3301 et seq.).

1990, c. 459; 1992, c. 68; 1999, cc. 208, 505; 2010, c. 91; 2012, cc. 405, 522.

The Board shall have all of the powers of a regulatory board under Chapter 2 (§ 54.1-200 et seq.). The Board may do all things necessary and convenient for carrying into effect the provisions of this chapter, Chapter 20.2 (§ 54.1-2020 et seq.), and all things required or expected of a state appraiser certifying and licensing agency under Title 11 of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. § 3331 et seq.). The Board shall promulgate necessary regulations.

The Board shall include in its regulations educational and experience requirements as conditions for licensure, provisions for the supervision of appraiser practices, provisions for the enforcement of standards of professional appraiser practice, and provisions for the disposition of referrals of improper appraiser conduct from any person or any federal agency or instrumentality. This paragraph shall not be construed to limit the powers and authority of the Board.

The Board may set different education and experience requirements for licensed residential real estate appraisers, certified residential real estate appraisers, and certified general real estate appraisers. All applicants for licensure under this chapter shall meet applicable educational and experience requirements prior to licensure.

Applicants for licensure as a certified residential real estate appraiser or a certified general real estate appraiser shall successfully complete an examination administered or approved by the Board prior to licensure. The Board may set different examination requirements for certified residential real estate appraisers and certified general real estate appraisers. The Board may require that licensed residential real estate appraisers successfully complete an examination administered or approved by the Board prior to licensure or prior to the renewal of an initial license.

All regulations established by the Board shall satisfy any minimum criteria that are necessary in order that the federal financial institution's regulatory agencies recognize and accept licenses for licensed residential real estate appraisers, certified residential real estate appraisers, certified general real estate appraisers, and appraisal management companies issued by the Board.

1990, c. 459; 1992, c. 68; 1993, c. 539; 2010, c. 91; 2014, c. 210.

Expired.

A. For purposes of this section:

"Appraisal Foundation" means the foundation incorporated as an Illinois Not for Profit Corporation on November 30, 1987, to establish and improve uniform appraisal standards by defining, issuing, and promoting such standards.

"Appraiser Qualifications Board" means the board created by the Appraisal Foundation to (i) establish appropriate criteria for the certification and recertification of qualified appraisers by defining, issuing, and promoting such qualification criteria; (ii) disseminate such qualification criteria to states, governmental entities, and others; and (iii) develop or assist in the development of appropriate examinations for qualified appraisers.

"Certified Residential PAREA Program" or "Licensed Residential PAREA Program" means a Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal experience training program approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board that utilizes simulated experience training and serves as an alternative to the traditional supervisor and trainee method of achieving appraisal experience.

B. The Board shall accept evidence of the successful completion of a Licensed Residential PAREA Program or a Certified Residential PAREA Program to satisfy the experience requirements established in Board regulations promulgated pursuant to § 54.1-2013 as a condition of licensure as a licensed residential real estate appraiser, certified residential real estate appraiser, or certified general real estate appraiser.

C. Applicants completing a Licensed Residential PAREA Program shall receive credit for:

1. One-hundred percent of the experience required by Board regulations as a condition of licensure as a licensed residential real estate appraiser;

2. Sixty-seven percent of the experience required by Board regulations as a condition of licensure as a certified residential real estate appraiser; or

3. Thirty-three percent of the experience required by Board regulations as a condition of licensure as a certified general real estate appraiser.

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

1. One-hundred percent 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. Fifty percent of the experience required by Board regulations as a condition of licensure as a certified general real estate appraiser.

2023, c. 106.

The Board may establish in regulations requirements for continuing education as a prerequisite to renewal of a license issued under this chapter. If the Board requires continuing education, the requirements shall include a minimum of two hours of fair housing or appraisal bias courses.

1990, c. 459; 2022, c. 118.

In addition to all other authority to issue subpoenas, the Board or its designees shall have the authority to subpoena the records of any bank, savings institution, or credit union relating to real estate appraisals.

1990, c. 459.

A. The Board may establish in regulations other categories of licensure, as well as the conditions required for such licensure, in order to safeguard the public interest or as may be required to satisfy any additional qualification criteria adopted by any federal agency or instrumentality.

B. Unless expressly prohibited by federal law or regulation, an individual who is certified or licensed as a real estate appraiser in another jurisdiction may obtain a Virginia real estate appraiser's license if (i) the Board determines that the requirements for certification or licensure, as the case may be, in such jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure under this chapter, and (ii) the applicant meets such other requirements as may be established by the Board.

C. In accordance with Title 11, § 1122 (a) of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. § 3351 (a)), the Board shall adopt regulations that provide for temporary practice in Virginia by appraisers licensed or certified by another state.

1990, c. 459.

An individual who is not licensed by the Board as a certified general real estate appraiser, a certified residential real estate appraiser, or a licensed residential real estate appraiser shall not represent himself as being so licensed or use in connection with his name or place of business the term "real estate appraiser," "general real estate appraiser," "certified general real estate appraiser," "licensed residential real estate appraiser," "certified residential real estate appraiser," "state certified real estate appraiser," "state licensed real estate appraiser," or any words, letters, abbreviations, or insignia indicating or implying that he is licensed as a certified general real estate appraiser, a licensed residential real estate appraiser, or a certified residential real estate appraiser in this Commonwealth.

Each licensed residential real estate appraiser, certified residential real estate appraiser, and certified general real estate appraiser shall comply with the standards of professional appraisal practice and code of ethics adopted by the Board and shall authenticate all written appraisal reports with his signature, license designation and license number.

All appraisal reports rendered in connection with federally related transactions shall be written.

1990, c. 459; 1999, c. 57.

A. Any evaluation, as defined in § 54.1-2009, shall contain the statement: "This is not an appraisal performed in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice."

B. The evaluation report may be prepared in any reporting format, provided that (i) the reporting format meets the requirements as set forth in the Interagency Appraisal and Evaluation Guidelines promulgated by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency et al. (75 F.R. 77450) and (ii) the evaluation report contains sufficient information in clear and understandable language to allow a person to understand the opinion of the market value of real property or real estate.

2018, c. 644.

A roster showing the names and addresses of all licensed residential real estate appraisers, certified residential real estate appraisers, and certified general real estate appraisers shall be published annually and made available to all interested parties at a cost, as determined by the Director.

1990, c. 459.

A. Every nonresident applicant shall file with the Board an irrevocable consent that suits and actions may be commenced against such applicant in the proper court of any county or city of this Commonwealth in which a cause of action may arise or in which the plaintiff may reside, by the service of any process or pleading authorized by the laws of this Commonwealth on the Director of the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The consent shall stipulate that such service of process or pleadings on the Director shall be taken and held in all courts to be as valid and binding as if due service has been made upon the applicant in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

B. Any process or pleading served upon the Director shall be filed by the Director in his office and a copy thereof immediately forwarded by registered mail to the main office of the licensee at the last known address.

1990, c. 459; 1993, c. 499.