- Option 1: Bachelor’s degree in any field of study;
- Option 2: Associate's degree in a field of study related to Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Real Estate;
- Option 3: Successful completion of 30 semester hours of college-level courses in each of the following specific topic areas:
- English Composition (3 hours)
- Microeconomics (3 hours)
- Macroeconomics (3 hours)
- Finance (3 hours)
- Algebra, Geometry, or Higher Math (3 hours)
- Statistics (3 hours)
- Computer Science (3 hours)
- Business Law or Real Estate Law (3 hours)
- Two elective courses in any of the above topics or in Accounting, Geography, Agricultural Economics, Business Management, or Real Estate (3 hours each);
Complete Experience Requirement
- Gain 1,500 hours of acceptable and verifiable appraisal experience acquired over a minimum of 12 months;
- Complete the AQB approved Certified Residential PAREA training module; or
- Complete (1) the AQB approved Licensed Residential PAREA training module and (2) 500 hours of acceptable and verifiable appraisal experience acquired over a minimum of 6 months.
Pass the Background Check
- Satisfy TALCB as to the applicant’s honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity through a background history review.
- Applicants are required to submit fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). If a background investigation is required, there may be a delay in processing the application.
- Applicants will be required to submit relevant documents for the background history review, including final orders, judgments, and a written explanation.
- Before applying, individuals may submit a preapplication fitness determination to see if their criminal or disciplinary history may keep them from becoming licensed. More information on this can be found in this article Will Your Criminal Record or Disciplinary History Keep You from Getting Licensed?
Pass the National Examination
Applicants must pass the National Certified Residential Real Property exam (exam), which is developed and maintained by the AQB. TALCB does not have any involvement in the development or content of the exam.
An applicant may sit for the exam once education and experience requirements have been satisfied and TALCB issues an exam clearance.
The exam is administered by Pearson VUE. The Pearson Vue Candidate Handbook can be found on the Pearson VUE website.
Resources for individuals preparing for the exam include:
- Information on exam design, content, timing, and practice questions can be found on the Appraisal Foundation’s website and the AQB Criteria Q&As.
- Information on exam topics and success rate for each topic can be found on the TALCB Website. Applicants may find this information helpful in studying for the exam and determining areas of focus.
Individuals who fail the exam three times will be required to complete additional appraiser qualifying education before reapplying.
Successful completion of an exam is valid for 24 months.
File Your Application
Apply Online or By Mail
Submit an application to become a Certified Residential Appraiser using TALCB Online Services. Once you have applied and paid the fee, submit your course completion certificates, experience log, experience certification, PAREA certificate, and any supporting background documents via email.
You can also apply by mail, although processing will take longer. To apply by mail, send the completed the Certified Residential paper application and supporting documents to Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, TX 78711-2188.
Application Status
Track the status of your application using the
Certified Residential Appraiser to Certified General Appraiser
Additional Education Requirements
- A Bachelor’s Degree or higher from an accredited college or university and
- Additional 100 hours of qualifying education:
- General Appraiser Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use (15 hours)
- General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach (15 hours)
- General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach (15 hours)
- General Appraiser Income Approach (Part I and II) (45 hours)
- General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies (10 hours)
Additional Experience Requirements
- Satisfy the experience requirements for a certified general certification. More information on experience requirements for this license type can be found on the Become Licensed page for a Certified General Appraiser.
Pass the National Examination
- Pass the National Certified General Real Property exam.
Background History
- Satisfy TALCB as to the applicant’s honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity through a background history review.
