You can remain at this license level as long as desired provided you take the 45 hours of Post License education within your first two license cycles however you would always have to work with a supervisory appraiser who is state certified. There is, though, no requirement to advance to Certified.

 

To become "Certified" the following experience and education requirements apply:

 

Residential Experience Requirements:  Once registered as a trainee you may appraise real estate in Florida, but initially only under the direct supervision of a certified appraiser, in a similar capacity as medical interning or legal clerking.  The "apprenticeship" must be done for a miniumum of 24 months (at least one appraisal in 24 different months) to qualify to apply to take the State Exam to become a Residential Certified Appraiser.  During that time, trainees must accumulate at least 2500 hours of appraisal experience on their experience log (of all the work logged, at least 150 appraisals must be included). Then upon completion of 100 additional hours of specified qualifying education appraisal courses (for an accumulated total of 200 hours), individuals with an Associate Degree or higher may take the State Exam to become a Residential Certified Appraiser.  As an alternative those without such degrees can still become Certified Residential Appraisers by completing 21 hours of specific college level courses.  Once certified, you may stay with the company you worked for during your internship, or you can go out on your own if desired. It is up to the individual.

 

There is a "Licensed" category also, but that is being phased out and it is not possible to obtain that credential any more.

 

Certified General Requirements:  Certified General appraisers do all types of properties, not just residential.  The requirements are similar in structure as for residential above, but significantly higher for this category. You must have 3000 hours of experience over 30 months.  The education requires an additional

200 hours of appraisal education (over the initial 100 for trainee status) for an accumulated total of 300 hours.  In addition, you must have at least a Bachelors Degree, or if not, as an alternative one can take 30 hours of college courses covering specific topics.  Under "Links" on this website, see the Appraisal Foundation's website or the state website referenced below, for more information on this category.

 

 

There is also more information on becoming an appraiser at the state's website which you can reach via www.Myflorida.com, or for more comprehensive overall information, go to the "Links" page on this website - go back to the homepage on this site and click on "Links".

 

The school does not get into formal job placement.  From feedback of numerous students who attended recent classes, finding an office to work in within a reasonable time frame, has been achievable.  As part of the class we do a special session to discuss how to prepare a resume' and the methods useful in finding a place to work. How long it would take an individual to find a place to begin training is based upon that individual, where they go, and how aggressively they pursue the search.  Also, some people interview better than others, and some have backgrounds that are advantageous, but as with any job hunting procedure, sometimes it goes quickly and sometimes it takes longer.

 

As far as how much money can you make as an appraiser, most appraisal offices do a split of the fee type arrangement and the ratio of that split is a negotiated factor between you and that appraiser.  For example, if you were on a 50/50 fee split and the office's fees were $350 for an individual residential appraisal, your split would be $175 per appraisal.  It is possible to do two appraisal reports a day depending on how large a geographical area you work, and allowing a reasonable time for skill development.  It is not possible to give a usual or standard income figure, because the amount an individual makes depends on the office you work in, the arrangement you negotiate within the policies for that company, and your personal productivity.

 

Full time and part time opportunities have been available.  Although most appraisers start out in an appraisal office, there are many government positions as well as staff positions with financial institutions that are also available.  Trainees usually have taxes deducted like a payroll, and certified appraisers are often independent contractors, but that varies with the individual company.  There is no requirement to stay in the first office you work in as experience credit carries forward to any new place of employment.

 

Classes are offered on weekends and weekdays in a full day format.  The degree of difficulty is rated intermediate.  It is designed for the adult learner with light reading homework.  Supplies needed to start the course are a notebook (70 page spiral usually is adequate), highlighters, a pen, pencil, and the course texts. The HP-12C financial calcultor is strongly recommended unless you are already skilled with another financial calculator. The school does not discriminate.  Should you require special assistance, please notify the school in advance.

 

There is no requirement that one have a real estate license, have expperience as a professional home inspector, an any other such licensure or specific experience to take the course and enter the appraisal field.

 

Courses provided by:  Steven W. Vehmeier - Real Estate School Permit #ZH1000639.  To register with the courses offered at St. Petersburg College you may phone 727-341-4445 or 727-341-4425.  For additional general school or course information call 727-544-9350 or email swv123@gmail.com.