The Appraisal Institute announced March 11 that it has analyzed and compiled all state licensing and certification statutes and regulations pertaining to background checks for applicants seeking appraiser credentials and published them in the special report, “State Requirements Regarding Background Checks for Real Estate Appraisers.”
The institute’s analysis shows that 42 states have enacted background check statutes or regulations of some form for real estate appraisers. Only 10 states had background check requirements in place prior to 2011, which is when the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) first included background checks as part of the minimum qualifications criteria. The AQB will consider additional changes to background check requirements at a public hearing March 20.
Most states require fingerprint-based formal background checks/criminal history records checks, but only a handful of states require an additional background check at each renewal period. However, many states require appraisers to submit new fingerprints and undergo new background checks when upgrading their credentials from trainee to licensed/certified, from licensed to certified residential/general, or from certified residential to certified general.
Additionally, 21 states require appraisers to undergo background check/criminal history record checks before obtaining a credential by reciprocity, but only nine states require background checks for temporary practice permits.
The 76-page report is free to Appraisal Institute professionals and available for purchase for $50 by others interested in receiving a copy.
Information on downloading or purchasing the report is available on the institute’s website.