The information contained below is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience and examination requirements established by the Illinois Department of Professional Licensing
The information can be found in the Department’s website. However, we recommend that you contact the Department for more detailed information.
Levels of Licensure
- Associate Real Estate Appraiser
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- Certified General Appraiser
Licensure Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
- Submit proof of completion of the educational requirements for each level of licensure
- Submit proof of completion of the experience requirements for each level of licensure
- For Certified Residential level: Provide proof of satisfactory completion of either a 2 year associates degree or higher, OR a total of 21 semester hours consisting of: English Composition; Principles of Economics, (either Macro or Micro); Finance; Algebra; Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and either Business Law or Real Estate Law
- For Certified General level: Provide proof of satisfactory completion of either a 4 year bachelors degree or higher, OR a total of 30 semester hours consisting of: English Composition; Micro Economics, Macro Economics; Finance; Algebra; Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and either Business Law or Real Estate Law. Also must include any 2 or the following courses: Accounting; Geography; Agricultural Economics; Business Management. Or Real Estate
- Pass the state examination
- Submit application, required documents, and associated fees
Education Requirements:
On February 20, 2004, the Appraiser Qualifications Board of The Appraisal Foundation adopted changes to the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria that went into effect on January 1, 2008. These changes represent the minimum national requirements that each state must implement for individuals applying for a real estate appraiser license or certification as of January 1, 2008. The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and Interpretations of the Criteria provides in depth information on the new criteria and may be accessed by clicking the hyperlink or is available on The Appraisal Foundation website. The educational hour requirements for IL are:
- 75 hours for the Associate Real Estate Appraiser which consist of the following courses:
- Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours)
- Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
- The 15 Hour National USPAP course or its equivalent (15 hours)
- 200 hours for the Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser
- 300 hours for Certified General Real Property Appraiser
Experience Requirements:
- Registered Real Property Appraiser - No experience required
- Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser - 2500 hours in no less than 24 months
- Certified General Real Property Appraiser - 3000 hours in no less than 30 months with at least 1500 hours of experience in non-residential appraisals
Continuing Education:
- All licensees re required to complete 28 hours of continuing education every two year renewal cycle
- All licenses expire September 30 of odd number years
- In every two consecutive renewal periods, every appraiser must complete an AQB approved 7 hour USPAP course
- No more than 21 hours may be taken via distance education. The 7 hour USPAP update course may not be taken through distance education.