How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in State: Louisiana
5-Step Guide

How to Become a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Louisiana

Now let's take a more in-depth look at the steps recommended to really start your appraisal career as a certified residential real estate appraiser.

1. 1. Obtain Your Louisiana Real Estate Appraiser Trainee License

   NOTE: Your state may accept PAREA or Practicum as an alternative to Trainee license with Trainee/Supervisory model.

   Qualifying Education. Before you can become a real estate appraiser trainee in Louisiana, you’ll need to complete 75 hours total of Louisiana Appraier Qualifying Education (QE), broken up as follows:

   • 30 hours of appraisal principles
   • 30 hours of appraisal procedures
   • The 15-hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course, or an equivalent course

   You’ll also need to complete Louisiana’s 4-hour Training Course for Supervisory Appraisers and Trainee Appraisers. Before signing up for the course, you need to find a supervisory appraiser who will act as your mentor through completion of your experience hours (Step 3).

   All Qualifying Education must be approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) and the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board. You must complete all Qualifying Education prior to submitting your real estate appraiser trainee application.

   Before applying for your license, take a moment to read Louisiana’s Trainee license requirements.

   Once you’ve met all of the above requirements, you can apply using Louisiana’s Trainee Appraiser license application. There is a $245 application fee.

2. 2. Complete Your Appraiser Education

   After becoming a Louisiana real estate appraiser trainee, it’s time for the next step toward becoming a licensed residential real estate appraiser: 150 total hours of Appraisal Foundation-approved appraiser education. Take a look at the breakdown of coursework. (Please Note: You’ve already satisfied 75 of these hours through your Real Estate Appraiser Trainee license – nice work!)

3. 3. Conduct Your Appraisal Work Experience

   Once you’ve finished your education, you must conduct and log at least 1,000 hours of actual appraisal experience.

   • Under the supervision of a certified appraiser; and
   • In no fewer than 6 months.

   There are many ways to find a supervisory appraiser. You can use Louisiana’s appraiser search portal to find certified residential and general appraisers who are approved to work with trainees. You can also search the list of active certified appraisers in Louisiana found in the Appraisal Subcommittee’s National Registry of Appraisers.

   Once you’ve completed your appraiser education and experience requirements, you’ll need to submit proof of completion to the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board for verification. Once approved, the board will notify you that you can schedule your certification exam.

4. 4. Pass the National Uniform Licensing & Certification Examination

   After the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board approves your education and experience, you can take the National Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam. You will receive a candidate handbook and instructions for contacting the testing company to schedule your exam. The Appraisal Foundation publishes tips on the exam structure that can help you prepare. Here’s an overview:

   • The exam is four hours long. The Licensed Residential Examination can take up to four hours to complete.
   • There are 125 questions on the test. The National Uniform Licensing and Certification exam is composed of 125 total questions. Fifteen of these questions are considered practice, and answering those questions wrong does not negatively affect your score.
   • A score of 75 points is passing. Scores for the National Uniform Licensing and Certification exam range between 0 and 110 points. Each question carries an equal weight of 1 point. In order to pass, you must earn a minimum of 75 points.
   • You can take the test more than once. The Appraisal Foundation allows you to take the test up to three times.

5. 5. Submit Your Application for Louisiana Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser

   After passing your exam, it’s time to apply for your license. Generally, candidates can expect this process to take up to a month, but it may vary.

   You'll need to complete the application and submit it to the Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board along with proof of your passing exam score, completed education requirements, and completed experience hours. There is a $245 application fee.

   You’ll also need to complete a criminal history record and background check as part of your application. More info on this process can be found here.

   Louisiana Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser licenses are valid for two years. Continuing Education (CE) must be completed every other year.

Appraiser License Types in Louisiana

It’s important to understand how Louisiana classifies real estate appraisers across four separate categories, each with their own qualifications for licensure:

• Real Estate Appraiser Trainee
• Licensed Residential Real Estate Appraiser
• Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser
• Certified General Real Estate Appraiser

Many Louisiana appraisers begin their careers as real estate appraiser trainees, gaining experience in the field. Then, they can “upgrade” to a licensed residential appraiser once they meet the education and experience requirements. Today, we’ll focus on how to become a Louisiana licensed residential real estate appraiser. But first, here’s a quick overview of the eligibility requirements for all licensing levels.

Find extra details here regarding Louisiana’s background check process.

Real Estate Appraiser Trainee

Louisiana recommends a pilot program for potential appraisers to begin their path toward becoming fully licensed. Known as a real estate appraiser trainee, this first level of licensure is recommended before you can become fully licensed and start appraising real estate on your own.

Here's a quick overview of everything you’ll need to become a real estate appraiser trainee:

Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser

Certified residential real estate appraisers may appraise:

• 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity
• All other complex and non-complex real property (transaction value < $500,000)

Licensed Appraiser

The next level up is the licensed real estate appraiser. At this level, you can provide appraisal services in transactions with:

• Non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties (transaction value < $1,000,000)
• Complex 1-4 unit residential properties (transaction value < $250,000)

Here's a quick overview of everything you'll need to become a licensed appraiser:

Certified General Real Estate Appraiser

Certified general real estate appraisers are the highest level of appraiser professionals in Louisiana. They can appraise all types of residential or commercial property without regard to value or complexity.