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Residential License — 2026

Licensed Residential Appraiser — Requirements & Exam Guide

The Licensed Residential Appraiser credential lets you independently appraise non-complex residential properties up to $1,000,000 and complex properties up to $400,000. Requires 150 hours of education and 1,000 hours of supervised experience over at least 6 months.

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Licensed Residential Requirements

150 hrs

Education

AQB-approved courses

1,000 hrs

Experience

Over 6+ months

125 Q

Exam

75% to pass

$1M

Property Scope

Non-complex residential

150-Hour Education Requirement

Complete these AQB-approved courses to qualify for the Licensed Residential exam

30h

Basic Appraisal Principles

Real property concepts, legal considerations, value influences, and economic principles.

30h

Basic Appraisal Procedures

Appraisal process overview, approaches to value, property description, and data collection.

15h

15-Hour National USPAP Course

Ethics, competency, scope of work, and reporting standards under USPAP.

15h

Residential Market Analysis & Highest/Best Use

Supply/demand analysis, market trends, comparable selection, and highest & best use.

15h

Residential Site Valuation & Cost Approach

Site valuation methods, cost approach mechanics, depreciation analysis.

30h

Residential Sales Comparison & Income Approaches

Paired sales analysis, adjustment techniques, income capitalization for residential.

15h

Residential Report Writing & Case Studies

URAR forms, narrative reports, compliance requirements, and practical case studies.

Compare Appraiser License Levels

See where Licensed Residential fits among all credential levels

LevelEducationExperienceProperty Scope
Trainee75 hrs0 hrsAs permitted by supervisor
Licensed Residential150 hrs1,000 hrsNon-complex up to $1M, complex up to $400K
Certified Residential200 hrs1,500 hrsAll residential, no value limit
Certified General300 hrs3,000 hrsAll property types incl. commercial

Frequently Asked Questions

What can a Licensed Residential Appraiser appraise?
A Licensed Residential Appraiser can appraise non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with a transaction value up to $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 unit residential properties with a transaction value up to $400,000. This covers the majority of single-family home appraisals in most markets.
How long does it take to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser?
After completing the 150 hours of qualifying education, you need 1,000 hours of supervised experience gained over at least 6 months. In total, most candidates take 12-18 months from starting education to obtaining their license, depending on how quickly they accumulate experience hours.
What education is required for a Licensed Residential Appraiser?
You need 150 hours of AQB-approved education including: Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hrs), Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hrs), 15-Hour National USPAP Course, Residential Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use (15 hrs), Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach (15 hrs), Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches (30 hrs), and Residential Report Writing (15 hrs).
What is the difference between Licensed and Certified Residential Appraiser?
The main differences are: (1) Licensed Residential has a $1M value limit for non-complex properties, while Certified Residential has no value limit. (2) Licensed requires 150 education hours vs. 200 for Certified. (3) Licensed needs 1,000 experience hours vs. 1,500. (4) Certified Residential requires an associate degree, while Licensed does not have a college degree requirement.
How hard is the Licensed Residential Appraiser exam?
The National Uniform Licensing Exam has 125 questions (110 scored) with a 4-hour time limit. You need a 75% score to pass. The exam covers valuation principles, property description, market analysis, appraisal math, USPAP, and report writing. With thorough preparation using practice questions, most candidates pass on their first attempt.

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Appraiser Exam Prep

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Exam Topics

All 6 AQB content areas

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