The certification required by Standard 2 must be signed by whom?
Correct Answer
B) Each appraiser who signs the report
Why this is correct: Under USPAP Standards Rule 2-3, the certification is a personal statement by each appraiser who signs the report, attesting to their own work, impartiality, and compliance with USPAP. Every signatory must sign the certification. Why the other choices are wrong: "The client and the appraiser jointly" is false; the client does not sign the appraiser's certification. "Only the supervisory appraiser present" is false; any signing appraiser, including trainees if permitted, must certify. "A reviewer at the state regulatory agency" is not involved in the original appraisal report. Exam tip: Certification is personal and required for every appraiser who signs the report.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option B is correct because an appraiser who signs any part of the appraisal report, including a letter of transmittal, must also sign a certification. The certification is a personal statement by each signing appraiser about their own work, impartiality, and compliance. Multiple signing appraisers each take on that responsibility.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: The client and the appraiser jointly
Option A, the client and the appraiser jointly, is wrong because the client does not sign the appraiser's certification; it is the appraiser's own statement.
Option C: Only the supervisory appraiser present
Option C, only the supervisory appraiser present, is wrong because any appraiser who signs the report, not only a supervisor, must sign a certification.
Option D: A reviewer at the state regulatory agency
Option D, a reviewer at the state regulatory agency, is wrong because a regulator is not part of preparing or signing the original appraisal report.
Sign any part, sign certification
If your signature touches the report, even the transmittal letter, your signature also belongs on a certification.
How to use: Use this when asked who must sign the Standard 2 certification.
Exam Tip
Certification is personal to each signing appraiser; clients and regulators do not sign it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- -Thinking only the supervisor signs the certification
- -Believing the client co-signs the certification
- -Forgetting that signing a transmittal letter triggers the certification requirement
Concept Deep Dive
Analysis
This question tests who must sign the real property appraisal certification. USPAP requires an appraiser who signs any part of the appraisal report, including a letter of transmittal, to also sign a certification. The certification is the appraiser's personal statement, not a joint client document or a regulator's sign-off.
Background Knowledge
SR 2-3 requires a signed certification as part of each written real property appraisal report. Signing it means accepting responsibility for the certification's statements, the assignment results, and the report contents. Appraisers who provide significant assistance but do not sign must be named in the certification.
Real-World Application
A trainee and a supervisory appraiser both sign a residential report where the trainee's state program permits it. Each signs a certification accepting responsibility, and any other appraiser who gave significant help without signing is named in the certification.
More USPAP Questions
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