Getting Started in the Appraisal Field

Once an application is submitted to the Board, staff will review the application for completeness and your fitness for registration. Applicants with a completed application and who have been determined fit for registration will receive their trainee registration in the mail.

Generally, candidates can expect the entire application process to take two to four weeks. Factors that affect the processing time are the completeness of the application when filed and the number and nature of any character issues or questions with respect to fitness for licensure.

A character issue is anything in which you answer “yes” to under the character questions within the application or anything that may show up on your background check. For example, the following are typical character questions. 1) “Have you ever been denied any other professional license of any other type in any state?” 2) “Are there currently any charges pending against you in connection with any professional license in NC or any other state?” 3) “Have you ever been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to any criminal offense in NC or any other state?”.

Yes. In lieu of reviewing any character matters/criminal history at the time of application, an individual with a criminal history may petition the Board prior to submitting an application, for a predetermination of whether their criminal history would likely disqualify them from becoming registered.

Once your trainee number has been assigned to you, you are eligible to begin working as a registered trainee with your declared supervisor. Note: Refer to FAQ, "How do I declare a supervisor?"

There are many ways to find a supervisor. One way is to network in your community and talk to real estate professionals or appraisers who are friends of yours and friends of your family to see if they know anyone who would agree to become your supervisor. If you don’t know anyone personally, seek out people you do know and see if they know any appraisers and would personally put in a good word about you with them. Search job ads, national registry, or request a list of appraisers from the Board and inquire about openings or submit a resume and sell your qualities to them. Be persistent and professional.

Experience hours are counted as the actual hours worked on an eligible assignment (appraisal or review appraisal). Reports must have been transmitted to the client (with the exception of demonstration reports) with the applicant either signing the report or being listed as providing significant assistance within the report to count as experience credit. Additional information is published within each application under the "Forms" section of the Board's website. The following is a brief synopsis of the types of properties you can receive credit for appraising. You must keep track of the actual hours you spend on each appraisal. Residential Category includes but is not limited to: Residential Single-Family/with inspection Residential Single-Family/Drive-By or Desktop Residential Single-Family (Mega home – Greater than 5,000 SF) Residential (1-4 Unit) Vacant Lot Residential 2-4 Family Residential Tract (10-50 acres/improved) General Category includes but is not limited to: Land: Undeveloped tracts, residential multi-family sites, commercial sites, agricultural tracts, industrial sites, land in transition, etc. Subdivision Analysis: Residential Multi-Family (5-12 Units): Apartments, condominiums, town- houses and mobile home parks Residential Multi-Family (13+ Units): Apartments, condominiums, town- houses, and mobile home parks Commercial Single-Tenant: Office building, retail store, restaurant, service station, bank, day care center, mini-storage, etc. Commercial Multi-Tenant: Office building, shopping center, hotel, etc. Industrial: Warehouse, manufacturing plant, etc. Institutional: Rest home, nursing home, hospital, school, church, government building, etc. Miscellaneous: Improved mixed use (Residential/Commercial) Golf courses/recreational facilities Improved agricultural tracts NOTE: You must document your work file to substantiate the number of hours spent on an assignment.

This varies from trainee to trainee and depends on how quickly you find and declare a supervisor and how many hours you are able to work with your supervisor on eligible experience to meet the minimum months of experience required for the level of licensure or certification being sought. A trainee may remain a trainee as long as the required continuing education is satisfied and renewal fees are paid. There is no requirement to upgrade. Please carefully review the information contained herein to upgrade from trainee to the license level you are seeking.

No, only registered trainees must work under a supervisor. Once you upgrade to a status above trainee, you will automatically be disassociated from your supervisor. Note: You may still work for or with your supervisor; however, they would only be considered your boss or co-worker and no longer your supervisor by the Board.