AQB Releases Third Exposure Draft of Proposed Changes To Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria

The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) released its Third Exposure Draft of Proposed Changes to the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and is seeking public comment.

The Third Exposure Draft continues the AQB's multi-year review of the Criteria and incorporates feedback received through two previous exposure drafts and more than 1,000 public comment letters. The draft also reflects findings from the 2025 National Job Analysis, which examined the work performed at each appraiser credential level.

The proposed revisions address several areas of the Criteria, including education, experience, examinations, credential classifications, and pathways for obtaining appraisal experience.

Among the proposed changes, the Third Exposure Draft would:

• Add a "Demonstration Pathway" as an additional way to satisfy experience requirements at the licensed residential level.
• Add Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) at the certified general classification and allow approved PAREA programs to include "Program Segments" that provide partial experience credit.
• Revise the definitions of the appraiser classifications to clarify the minimum qualifications associated with each credential.
• Remove the college degree requirement for the certified residential and certified general classifications.
• Remove calendar minimums for completing experience requirements while maintaining the required total experience hours.
• Remove the time limit on trainee appraiser qualifying education.
• Allow candidates to take the national exam once qualifying education is complete rather than waiting until experience requirements are met.
• Eliminate expiration of passing exam scores, with a transition provision for scores earned under the current Criteria.
• Clarify the definition and requirements for practicum programs.
• Make other changes intended to clarify or simplify provisions of the Criteria.

These are proposed changes and are not currently in effect. The draft states that, if the proposed revisions are adopted as written, the AQB currently anticipates an effective date of July 1, 2027, and an implementation deadline of January 1, 2029.

Submit Comments by October 25

The AQB is accepting written comments on the Third Exposure Draft through October 25, 2026. Commenters are encouraged to reference specific line numbers, explain the reasons for their comments, provide examples where appropriate, and suggest alternatives or additional issues for the AQB to consider.

The AQB will also accept verbal comments during a webinar on October 8, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET. Registration is available through The Appraisal Foundation.

For more information, including the full Third Exposure Draft and comment submission, visit The Appraisal Foundation's Exposure Drafts page.