Get your license: State-registered real estate appraiser trainees

Learn what you need to get an appraiser trainee license including the training requirements and how to apply.

Who needs a license?

Anyone who wants to become an appraiser to provide appraisal services for all types of real estate property.

How to apply

Follow the steps below to apply for an appraiser trainee license.

1. Meet the education requirements

Complete 79 classroom hours of approved real estate appraisal courses:

 
Subject Hours required
Basic appraisal principles 30 hours
Basic appraisal procedures 30 hours
National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course or equivalent 15 hours
Supervisory appraiser/Trainee appraiser course 4 hour

2. Find a training supervisor

Find an appraiser that meets the supervisor qualification requirements (see below) to supervise your training hours.

Have your supervisor complete the supervisor registration form. They must mail or upload the form along with a copy of their completed certificate for the 4-hour supervisory/trainee course.

Supervisor qualification requirements

  • You must train under an appraiser that meets all of the following requirements:
    • Be certified as a general or residential appraiser for a minimum of 3 years
    • Be in good standing for the 3 years immediately preceding their supervisor registration
    • Have no more than 3 trainees with less than 1 year experience
    • Have successfully completed a 4-hour supervisory/trainee course
  • You can't begin gaining experience hours until we have approved a certified appraiser as a supervisor for you.
  • If we discipline your supervising appraiser, the experience hours gained under them may not qualify when you apply to take the appraiser exam.

3. Complete the necessary documents

Complete a Real Estate Appraiser Trainee Registration Application.

Gather:

  • Copies of all your appraiser education course completion certificates for the 4 required courses.
  • Documents to support answers to legal background questions.

4. Submit your application

Submit your application online

You'll receive your license faster by applying and paying online.

Log into SecureAccess Washington (SAW) or create an account to apply, upload your paperwork, and pay the licensing fee.

Submit your application by mail

Mail your form(s) and a check or money order (payable to the Department of Licensing) for the non-refundable license fee to:

Real Estate Appraiser
Department of Licensing
PO Box 3777
Seattle, WA 98124-3777

Allow at least 2 weeks for processing.

Your supervisor must send you an invitation after you have applied and you will need to accept it before experience training can begin. In order for them to invite you to work under them, they will need your license number. If you apply by mail, we will email your license number for you to give to your supervisor. We'll notify you and the supervisor when you're approved to begin experience training.

After you and your supervisor are approved

1. Keep an experience log

2. Complete qualifying education

  • Take the real estate appraiser specific qualifying education needed to take the exam for the type of licensure/certification you want.
  • See Approved appraiser courses for information on required courses for each licensure/certification type.

3. Renew trainee license (if necessary)

  • Your initial trainee license will expire on your second birthday from the date issued and every 2 years afterward.
  • Renew your trainee license as needed (no more than 2 times) to complete your training.
  • You must take a minimum of 28 hours of approved continuing education courses, including the 7-hour Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) update, for each renewal.

Related information

Need additional help? Here's how to contact us:

call Phone: 360-664-6504
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