How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in West Virginia: Your
5-Step Guide

How to Become a Licensed Residential Appraiser in West Virginia

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

1. 1. Obtain Your Appraiser Apprentice Permit

   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 licensed residential appraiser in West Virginia, you’ll need to complete 75 hours total of West Virginia Appraiser 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 a 4-hour Appraiser Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser Course. Before signing up for this course, you need to find a supervisory appraiser who will act as your mentor through completion of your experience hours (Step 3). Finally, you will also need to take a 3-Hour WV Law Course.

   All Qualifying Education must be approved by either the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) or the West Virginia Real Estate Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (WVREALCB). You must complete all qualifying education prior to submitting your apprentice application.

   Before applying for your license, take a moment to read through the Board’s detailed application requirements and pay special attention to the background and character qualifications.

   Once you’ve met all of the above requirements, you will need to apply with the state for your Appraiser Apprentice permit, which requires a $120 application fee. Once your application is approved, you’ll pay the $150 permit fee.

2. 2. Complete Appraiser Education

   After getting your Appraiser Apprentice permit, it’s time for the next step toward becoming a licensed residential appraiser: 150 total hours of Appraisal Foundation-approved appraiser education. (Please Note: You’ve already satisfied 75 of these hours through your apprentice permit – 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. Those 1,000 hours must be completed over a period of at least six months. And 500 of those hours must be completed under the supervision of a certified appraiser.

   There are many ways to find and enter into a working relationship with a supervisory appraiser. A great way to begin your search is to use the list of active certified appraisers in West Virginia found in the Appraisal Subcommittee’s National Registry of Appraisers. 

4. 4. Submit Your Application for Your West Virginia Licensed Residential Appraiser License

   Now that you've completed your education and logged your experience, it’s time to apply for your license. Factors that affect processing time include the completeness of the application when filed and the number and nature of any character issues or questions with respect to fitness for licensure. It is crucial to ensure your application is complete before you submit it for these reasons.

   When you first apply for your license, you’ll complete and mail in part 1 before being directed to take your exam, with an admittance card given by the Board. Once you have passed the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam (the next and final step!), you will fill out part 2 of the application with a $120 application fee.

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

   In West Virginia, your education and experience must be approved by the board prior to receiving permission to take the national examination. After the WVREALCB receives your application and determines it’s complete, you’ll be directed to take the National Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam.

   In West Virginia, the test is administered by PearsonVUE. 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.

   Once you have passed, fill out part 2 of your application and submit it with the application fee to become licensed!

Appraiser License Types in West Virginia

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

• Appraiser Apprentice
• Licensed Residential Appraiser
• Certified Residential Appraiser
• Certified General Appraiser

After receiving your Apprentice permit, you can “upgrade” to any of the subsequent license levels. Today, we’ll be focusing on how to get to your Licensed Residential Appraiser license. But first, here’s a quick overview of the eligibility requirements for each licensing level.

Appraiser Apprentice

West Virginia, like many states, requires a pilot program for potential appraisers to begin their path toward becoming fully licensed. Known as an appraiser apprentice, this first level of licensure is required 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 an appraiser apprentice:

Licensed Residential Appraiser

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

• 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity
• Complex 1-4 unit residential properties (transaction value < $250,000)

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

Certified Residential Appraiser

In West Virginia, the next level of licensure is the Certified Residential Appraiser license. Certified residential appraisers may provide appraisal services in transactions with:

• 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity
• Commercial properties (transaction value < $250,000)

Certified General Real Estate Appraiser

Certified general appraisers are the highest level of appraiser professionals. They can provide appraisal services in transactions with all types of residential or commercial real property without regard to value or complexity.