Learn what you need to get an appraiser trainee license including the training requirements and how to apply.
Who needs a license?
Anyone who wants to become an appraiser to provide appraisal services for all types of real estate property.
How to apply
Follow the steps below to apply for an appraiser trainee license.
1. Meet the education requirements
Complete 79 classroom hours of approved real estate appraisal courses:
| Subject | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Basic appraisal principles | 30 hours |
| Basic appraisal procedures | 30 hours |
| National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course or equivalent | 15 hours |
| Supervisory appraiser/Trainee appraiser course | 4 hour |
2. Find a training supervisor
Find an appraiser that meets the supervisor qualification requirements (see below) to supervise your training hours.
Have your supervisor complete the supervisor registration form. They must mail or upload the form along with a copy of their completed certificate for the four-hour supervisory/trainee course.
Supervisor qualification requirements
- You must train under an appraiser that meets all of the following requirements:
- Be certified as a general or residential appraiser for a minimum of three years
- Be in good standing for the three years immediately preceding their supervisor registration
- Have no more than three trainees with less than 1 year experience
- Have successfully completed a four-hour supervisory/trainee course
- You can't begin gaining experience hours until we have approved a certified appraiser as a supervisor for you.
- If we discipline your supervising appraiser, the experience hours gained under them may not qualify when you apply to take the appraiser exam.
3. Complete the necessary documents
Complete a Real Estate Appraiser Trainee Registration Application.
Gather:
- Copies of all your appraiser education course completion certificates for the four required courses.
- Documents to support answers to legal background questions.
4. Submit your application
Submit your application online
You'll receive your license faster by applying and paying online.
Log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW) or create an account to apply, upload your paperwork, and pay the licensing fee.
Submit your application by mail
Mail your form(s) and a check or money order (payable to the Department of Licensing) for the non-refundable license fee to:
Real Estate Appraiser
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3777
Seattle, WA 98124-3777
Allow at least two weeks for processing.
Your supervisor must send you an invitation after you have applied and you will need to accept it before experience training can begin. In order for them to invite you to work under them, they will need your license number. If you apply by mail, we will email your license number for you to give to your supervisor. We'll notify you and the supervisor when you're approved to begin experience training.
After you and your supervisor are approved
1. Keep an experience log
- You must keep an experience log for your assignments in chronological date order and keep a separate log for each supervisor you work under. You won't get credit for restricted or appraisal review reports.
- For non-mass appraisal experience, use Real Estate Appraiser Applicant Experience Log.
- For mass appraisal experience, use Real Estate Assessors Mass Appraisal Experience Log.
2. Complete qualifying education
- Begin to take the real estate appraiser specific qualifying education needed to take the exam for the type of licensure/certification you want.
- See Approved appraiser courses for information on required courses for each licensure/certification type.
3. Renew trainee license (if necessary)
- Your initial trainee license will expire on your second birthday from the date issued and every two years afterward.
- Renew your trainee license as needed (no more than two times) to complete your training.
- You must take a minimum of 28 hours of approved continuing education courses, including the 7-hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) update, for each renewal.