Certified General Appraiser — Requirements & Exam Guide
The Certified General Appraiser is the highest appraiser credential, authorizing you to appraise all property types — commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential — with no restrictions. Requires 300 hours of education, a bachelor's degree, and 3,000 hours of experience over at least 18 months.
Certified General Requirements
300 hrs
Education
+ bachelor's degree
3,000 hrs
Experience
18+ months, 1,500 non-res
125 Q
Exam
75% to pass
All types
Property Scope
Commercial + residential
300-Hour Education Requirement
Complete these AQB-approved courses plus a bachelor's degree
Basic Appraisal Principles
Real property concepts, legal considerations, value influences, and economic principles.
Basic Appraisal Procedures
Appraisal process overview, approaches to value, property description, and data collection.
15-Hour National USPAP Course
Ethics, competency, scope of work, and reporting standards under USPAP.
General Appraiser Market Analysis & Highest/Best Use
Commercial market analysis, feasibility studies, and highest & best use for all property types.
General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach
Commercial comparable selection, adjustment techniques, and reconciliation for non-residential properties.
General Appraiser Site Valuation & Cost Approach
Land valuation, commercial cost approach, depreciation methods for complex structures.
General Appraiser Income Approach
Direct capitalization, yield capitalization, DCF analysis, lease analysis, and commercial income valuation.
General Appraiser Report Writing & Case Studies
Narrative commercial reports, compliance requirements, and comprehensive case studies.
Appraisal Subject Matter Electives
Additional AQB-approved courses in specialized areas such as eminent domain, green buildings, or agricultural appraisal.
Bachelor's Degree Requirement
Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution, OR 30 semester hours covering: English composition, microeconomics, macroeconomics, finance, algebra/geometry/statistics, business or real estate law, plus two electives in accounting, geography, computer science, or business management.
Non-Residential Experience Requirement
Of the 3,000 total experience hours, at least 1,500 must be in non-residential appraisal work (commercial, industrial, agricultural, or vacant land). This is the most unique requirement of the Certified General credential and often the most time-consuming to fulfill.
Compare Appraiser License Levels
See where Certified General fits among all credential levels
| Level | Education | Experience | Property Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee | 75 hrs | 0 hrs | As permitted by supervisor |
| Licensed Residential | 150 hrs | 1,000 hrs | Non-complex up to $1M |
| Certified Residential | 200 hrs | 1,500 hrs | All residential, no value limit |
| Certified General | 300 hrs | 3,000 hrs | All property types incl. commercial |
Frequently Asked Questions
What can a Certified General Appraiser appraise?
Do I need a bachelor's degree to become a Certified General Appraiser?
How much experience is required for Certified General?
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Is the Certified General Appraiser exam different from the residential exams?
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