What Georgia requires to become a real estate appraiser

Georgia requires three steps: complete classroom hours, pass the state exam, and get your license from the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board. The path splits into three license levels — trainee, licensed, and certified — and each has different education and experience requirements. Most people start as a trainee appraiser while they build hours under a licensed or certified appraiser's supervision.

You do not need a real estate license to become an appraiser in Georgia, and you do not need to work for a company first. You can start the trainee process while you are still taking classes, as long as you complete the required hours before you sit for the exam.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia has three appraiser license levels — trainee, licensed, and certified — each requiring different classroom hours and supervised experience.
  • Trainee appraisers need 75 classroom hours and can begin working when ready while accumulating 2,000 hours of supervised experience over two years.
  • Licensed appraisers need 150 classroom hours, 2,500 hours of experience, and must pass the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) exam plus Georgia's state exam.
  • The Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board processes applications and licenses; you submit your exam results and experience log directly to them.
  • Classroom courses are offered by approved providers across Georgia, and exam dates are scheduled through Pearson VUE, the testing vendor.

Trainee appraiser: the entry point

A trainee appraiser license is the fastest way to start. You need 75 classroom hours in appraisal courses, which you can complete at any Georgia-approved education provider. These courses cover property valuation, appraisal principles, and market analysis. You do not have to finish all 75 hours before you start working — you can begin as a trainee while you are still taking classes, as long as you complete them before you take the state exam.

Once you have your 75 hours, you submit your education certificate to the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board along with your process. The board issues your trainee license, which lets you work under the direct supervision of a licensed or certified appraiser. You must log 2,000 hours of supervised appraisal work over at least two years. Your supervising appraiser signs off on your experience log as you complete each assignment.

Trainee licenses do not expire as long as you are actively accumulating hours and renewing your license every two years. If you stop working toward your licensed appraiser license, your trainee status lapses.

Licensed appraiser: the mid-level credential

A licensed appraiser can work independently on most residential properties. To reach this level, you need 150 classroom hours total — the 75 you completed as a trainee plus an additional 75 hours of advanced courses. These advanced courses cover residential market analysis, income approach to value, and cost approach to value.

You also need 2,500 hours of supervised appraisal experience. If you worked 2,000 hours as a trainee, you need 500 more hours under a licensed or certified appraiser before you can test. The experience must be documented in your log and signed by your supervisor.

After you complete your hours and classroom work, you take two exams: the national USPAP exam and Georgia's state appraisal exam. Both are offered through Pearson VUE. You must pass both before the board will issue your licensed appraiser license. Licensed appraisers renew every two years and must complete 28 hours of continuing education per renewal cycle.

Certified appraiser: the highest level

A certified appraiser can appraise any type of property, including commercial and complex residential. Georgia offers two certified levels: certified residential and certified general. Certified residential requires 300 classroom hours and 5,000 hours of experience. Certified general requires 300 classroom hours and 7,500 hours of experience.

The classroom hours include the 150 you completed for your licensed appraiser license, plus 150 additional hours in advanced topics like commercial property valuation and income analysis. You must also pass the national USPAP exam and Georgia's state exam, just as you did for the licensed level.

Certified appraisers renew every two years and must complete 36 hours of continuing education per cycle. This level is typically pursued after you have worked as a licensed appraiser for several years and want to expand into commercial or specialized work.

Finding approved classroom providers and registering for exams

Georgia-approved education providers offer appraisal courses both in person and online. The Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board maintains a list of approved providers on its website. Courses typically cost between $400 and $800 per course, depending on the provider and format. Most providers let you register directly on their websites and begin when ready.

Once you have completed your classroom hours, you register for the state exam through Pearson VUE, the testing vendor used by Georgia. Pearson VUE schedules exam dates at testing centers across the state. The exam costs approximately $150 to $200. You must also register for and pass the national USPAP exam through Pearson VUE before you take the Georgia state exam.

After you pass both exams, you submit your exam results, education certificates, and experience log to the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board. The board reviews your process and issues your license if everything is in order. This process typically takes two to four weeks.

Building your supervised experience hours

Your experience hours are the backbone of your license. As a trainee or licensed appraiser, every hour you spend on appraisal work — inspecting properties, analyzing comparable sales, writing reports — counts toward your requirement. Your supervising appraiser must sign off on your log regularly, usually monthly or quarterly.

You can work for an appraisal company, a bank's appraisal department, or as an independent contractor under a supervising appraiser. Many appraisers start by working part-time for an established firm while they complete their classroom hours, then transition to full-time work as they accumulate experience. Your supervisor does not have to be your employer — you can work independently as long as a licensed or certified appraiser reviews and signs off on your work.

Keep detailed records of every assignment: the property address, the date, the type of appraisal, and the hours spent. The Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board may request to see these records during your process review, so accuracy matters.

Renewing your license and staying current

All Georgia appraiser licenses renew every two years. Trainee licenses renew as long as you are actively working toward your next level. Licensed and certified appraisers must complete continuing education hours each renewal cycle — 28 hours for licensed, 36 hours for certified. These courses cover updates to appraisal standards, ethics, and market trends.

You renew through the Georgia Real Estate Appraisers Board. The renewal fee varies by license level but typically ranges from $150 to $300. You submit your renewal process, proof of continuing education, and the fee to the board. Licenses expire on your renewal date, so plan to submit your renewal at least 30 days before expiration to avoid a lapse.

If your license lapses, you can reactivate it by submitting a reactivation process and paying a fee, but you may need to complete additional continuing education depending on how long it has been inactive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as an appraiser without a license?

No. Georgia law requires anyone who performs appraisals for compensation to hold a trainee, licensed, or certified appraiser license. Working without a license is illegal and can result in fines and criminal charges. You can start the trainee process while you are still taking your first 75 classroom hours.

How long does it take to become a licensed appraiser in Georgia?

Most people take two to three years. You need 75 classroom hours (typically three to six months), then 2,500 hours of supervised experience (at least two years if you work full-time). Add time for the exam and board processing, and you are looking at roughly 30 months from start to licensed appraiser.

Do I need a bachelor's degree to become an appraiser?

No degree is required for any level of Georgia appraiser license. You need only the classroom hours, experience, and exam passage. Many appraisers have college degrees, but it is not a requirement to start or advance.

What is the difference between a licensed and certified appraiser?

Licensed appraisers can appraise most residential properties independently. Certified appraisers can appraise any property type, including commercial, and typically command higher fees. Certified requires more classroom hours (300 vs. 150) and more experience (5,000 to 7,500 hours vs. 2,500).

Can I take my appraisal courses online?

Yes. Many Georgia-approved providers offer online courses that count toward your classroom hour requirement. You still take the state exam in person at a Pearson VUE testing center, but the coursework can be completed remotely.