Become a Licensed Residential Appraiser

Scope of Practice

Licensed Residential Appraisers may appraise:

• Non-complex 1–4-unit residential properties with a transactional value less than $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 residential units with a transaction value less than $400,000.  
• Vacant or unimproved land for which the highest and best use is for one-to-four family purposes.

Requirements

To become a Licensed Residential Appraiser, applicants must pass a background check; satisfy education requirements; satisfy appraisal experience requirements; and pass the National Licensed Residential Real Property examination.

Complete Qualifying Education

•  150 hours of qualifying appraisal education.  

Complete Experience Requirement

• Gain 1,000 hours of acceptable and verifiable appraisal experience acquired over a minimum of 6 months; or
• Complete the AQB approved Licensed Residential PAREA training module.

Pass the Background Check

• Satisfy TALCB as to the applicant’s honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity through a background history review.
• Applicants are required to submit fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). If a background investigation is required, there may be a delay in processing the application. 
• Applicants will be required to submit relevant documents for the background history review, including final orders, judgments, and a written explanation.
• Before applying, individuals may submit a preapplication fitness determination to see if their criminal or disciplinary history may keep them from becoming licensed.  More information on this can be found in this article Will Your Criminal Record or Disciplinary History Keep You from Getting Licensed?

Pass the National Examination

Applicants must pass the National Licensed Residential Real Property exam (exam), which is developed and maintained by the AQB. TALCB does not have any involvement in the development or content of the exam.

An applicant may sit for the exam once education and experience requirements have been satisfied and TALCB issues an exam clearance.

The exam is administered by Pearson VUE. The Pearson Vue Candidate Handbook can be found on the Pearson VUE website.

Resources for individuals preparing for the exam include:

• Information on exam design, content, timing, and practice questions can be found on the Appraisal Foundation’s website and the AQB Criteria Q&As.
• Information on exam topics and success rate for each topic can be found on the TALCB Website. Applicants may find this information helpful in studying for the exam and determining areas of focus.

Individuals who fail the exam three times will be required to complete additional appraiser qualifying education before reapplying.

Successful completion of an exam is valid for 24 months.

File Your Application

Apply Online or By Mail

Submit an application to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser using TALCB Online Services. Once you have applied and paid the fee, submit your course completion certificates, experience log, experience certification, PAREA certificate, and any supporting background documents via email.

You can also apply by mail, although processing will take longer. To apply by mail, send the completed the Licensed Residential paper application and supporting documents to Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, TX 78711-2188.

Application Status

Track the status of your application using the Application Status Tracker.

License Reinstatement

If your license has been expired more than six months, you may apply for reinstatement of the license by submitting the Application for Reinstatement and meeting the following education and experience requirements.

• Expired more than 6 months but less than 5 years
  • Complete 14 hours of appraiser continuing education for each year since the last active renewal of your previous license, including the most recent USPAP Update Course
• Expired more than 5 years
  • Complete 14 hours of appraiser continuing education for each year since the last active renewal of your previous license, including the most recent USPAP Update Course
  • Submit an experience log including at least 10 residential appraisals completed within 5 years from the date the application is submitted. You may apply for an Appraiser Trainee authorization to gain the minimum experience required.

Upgrading from a Licensed Residential Appraiser

Licensed Residential Appraisers holding a valid credential may upgrade to either Certified Residential or Certified General by satisfying a background check and completing additional education, examination, and experience requirements.