The information contained below is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience and examination requirements established by the North Carolina Appraisal Board.

The information can be found in the Board’s website. However, we recommend that you contact the Appraisal Board for more detailed information.

Levels of Licensure

• Registered Trainee
• Certified Residential Appraiser
• Certified General Appraiser

Licensure Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
• Possess good moral character
• 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 NC are:

• 90 hours for the Registered Trainee 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)
  • Residential Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use (15 hours)
• 200 hours for the Certified Residential Appraiser
• 300 hours for Certified General Appraiser

Experience Requirements:

• Registered Trainee - No experience required
• Certified Residential Appraiser - 2500 hours in no less than 24 months
• Certified General Appraiser - 3000 hours in no less than 30 months with at least 1500 hours of experience in non-residential appraisals
• NOTE: NC Point System Requirement is: 300 points in either the residential or general category, 50% must be 1-4 unit single family residential property where the sales comparison approach was used; for the General Certification - 360 points with at least 180 points in the general category

Continuing Education:

• Appraiser licenses expire annually on June 30 following the date of issuance
• All appraisers must complete 28 hours of continuing education in odd number years
• 7 hours must cover the USPAP Update course or its equivalent
• Only 14 hours may be taken via distance education
• All required education must be completed by May 31st of every odd numbered year