To get started as an appraiser, applicants must first obtain an Associate license. There is currently no substitution for this step, nor any way to expedite the process. The requirements are as follows:
Associate
- Secure a Kentucky-licensed appraiser to serve as the applicant’s Supervisor
- Complete the 97 hours of Qualifying Education (QE)
- Complete a fingerprint background check through Identogo
- Submit the completed Associate application, Supervisor application, QE certificates, and $200 licensing fee
Please note that the Board cannot recommend appraisers to act as an applicant’s Supervisor. To locate a Supervisor, applicants can utilize the License Directory tool to search for appraisers in their area. QE course names can be found on page 7 of the “How to Enter the Real Property Appraiser Profession in Kentucky” document linked below.
After their Associate license has been issued, applicants can begin logging experience hours under their Supervisor. The requirements for upgrade, based on the desired license type, are as follows:
Licensed Residential
- 1,000 experience hours in no less than 6 months
- 60 hours of additional QE
Course names for the upgrade QE requirement are listed on page 7 of the “How to Enter the Real Property Appraiser Profession in Kentucky” document linked below.
Certified Residential
- 1,500 experience hours in no less than 12 months
- 110 hours of additional QE
- Bachelors degree or equivalency
Equivalencies for a 4-year college degree can be found on page 2 of the “How to Enter the Real Property Appraiser Profession in Kentucky” document linked below. Course names for the upgrade QE requirement are listed on page 7 of the “How to Enter the Real Property Appraiser Profession in Kentucky” document linked below.
Certified General
- 3,000 experience hours in no less than 18 months
- 210 hours of additional QE
- Bachelors degree
Equivalencies cannot be used in place of a 4-year college degree for this license type. Course names for the upgrade QE requirement are listed on page 7 of the “How to Enter the Real Property Appraiser Profession in Kentucky” document linked below.
Once all upgrade requirements have been met, licensees should submit their entire experience log, bachelor’s degree or equivalency, and upgrade QE certificates to bcreech@ky.gov. Staff will then review the experience log and select either 2 or 4 appraisal reports to submit for further inspection.
Once the appraisal reports pass inspection, licensees can then pay for and take the Certified Residential or Certified General exam. There is no limit to how many times the exam can be taken, but please note that each exam attempt is $200 and must be paid for prior to testing.
Upon passing the exam, licensees should submit their passing document to the Board and pay the $240 fee for their upgraded license.
