How To Get Real Estate Appraisal License In Ohio?

    To get a real estate appraisal license in Ohio, you move through stages: start as a State Registered Appraiser Assistant (trainee), then qualify and apply for a Licensed Residential (or higher) appraiser credential with the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing.

    1. Understand the Ohio credential path

    In Ohio, you generally follow this sequence:

    • State Registered Appraiser Assistant (trainee)
    • Licensed Residential Appraiser
    • Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser (optional upgrades later)

    Each higher level requires more education, experience hours, and passing a national exam that meets Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) criteria.

    2. Step 1 – Become a State Registered Appraiser Assistant

    This is the first formal step if you have no prior appraisal credential.

    1. Complete required qualifying education
      1. At least 82 hours of approved appraisal qualifying education, including core topics like Basic Appraisal Principles, Basic Appraisal Procedures, and the 15‑Hour USPAP course.
      1. Complete the Ohio‑required Supervisory Appraiser–Trainee course before working under a supervisor.
    2. Take the new Fair Housing/valuation bias course (from 2026)
      1. For any new appraiser credential applications received on or after January 1, 2026, Ohio requires an 8‑hour “Valuation Bias & Fair Housing Laws and Regulations” course as part of qualifying education.
    3. Apply for State Registered Appraiser Assistant
      1. Submit the State Registered Appraiser Assistant Application to the Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing.
      1. Complete BCI/FBI fingerprint background checks as directed by the Division.
      1. Wait for approval and issuance of your registration number before performing appraisal work.
    4. Register your supervisor relationship
      1. After you are registered, you and your supervisory appraiser submit the Supervisor/Appraiser Assistant Notification form to the Division before you start logging experience hours.

    3. Step 2 – Gain supervised experience

    You must log qualifying experience hours under a certified supervisory appraiser before you can apply for a license.

    • Experience must meet AQB criteria (type of assignments, scope of work) and Ohio’s logging rules; only work done while both your and your supervisor’s credentials are active counts.
    • The exact hours depend on which level you are targeting (Licensed Residential vs Certified levels), but expect at least 1,000 hours over a minimum of 6 months for a basic license under AQB minimums, with Ohio aligning to those standards.
    • Keep detailed logs using forms or formats accepted by the Division so they can verify your experience when you apply.

    4. Step 3 – Complete all required qualifying education for the license level

    To move from trainee to a Licensed Residential Appraiser in Ohio, you must finish all qualifying education for that level before applying to test.

    Typical Licensed Residential requirements include:

    • 150 hours of appraisal‑specific qualifying education total (the original trainee hours can count toward this, plus additional courses such as Residential Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use, Residential Appraiser Site Valuation & Cost Approach, Residential Sales Comparison & Income Approaches, and Residential Report Writing).
    • College‑level education or alternative options as defined in the current AQB criteria (e.g., certain college credits, degrees, or equivalents), which Ohio adopts as minimums.
    • For applications on or after January 1, 2026, inclusion of the 8‑hour Valuation Bias & Fair Housing Law course within that education package.

    5. Step 4 – Apply, test, and get your license

    Once experience and education are complete, you apply to become a Licensed Residential Appraiser.

    • Submit the Appraiser License/Certificate Application
      • Use the Ohio “Appraiser License or Certificate Application” form (available from the Division’s website) and choose Licensed Residential or another level you qualify for.
      • Attach proof of education (course completion certificates), experience logs, and the valuation bias/fair housing course if your application date requires it.
    • Pass the national licensing exam
      • Ohio requires you to pass the AQB‑approved national Licensed Residential exam for that credential level.
      • The testing vendor and scheduling instructions are provided after your application is processed.
    • Complete background checks and pay fees
      • If not already current, you must complete BCI/FBI fingerprint checks and pay the application and exam fees set by the Division.

    After you pass the exam and the Division finalizes your file, they issue your Ohio Licensed Residential Real Estate Appraiser credential, which allows you to perform appraisals within that license’s scope independently (subject to USPAP and state law).

    6. Ongoing education and renewals (brief)

    Ohio appraisers must renew and complete continuing education regularly.

    • Historically, Ohio required 14 hours of continuing education per year, including a 7‑hour USPAP update every two years.
    • Starting with 2026–2027 cycles, Ohio is shifting to two‑year terms and adding a 7‑hour “Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws & Regulations” course requirement for renewals, aligning with the 2026 AQB Criteria.