License Requirements

• An applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
• Candidates must be a citizen of the United States, or a legal resident alien. A license applicant may be subject to a background check, including fingerprinting.
• Representations may be checked against local, state and federal records. Conviction of a serious felony or serious civil judgments could cause a license or certificate to be denied.
• The school does not make this determination; for more information, contact the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions.

The Appraisal Foundation has also published a STUDENT APPRAISER GUIDE, understanding and Navigating the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria, which is available for download from The Appraisal Foundation’s website, www.appraisalfoundation.org. Appraisal students are strongly encouraged to download and review the entire guide.

• An applicant must be at least 18 years of age
• Arizona One Level Clearance Card – all applicants must undergo a criminal background check through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Application for original license or certificate; $400

Application for registration as a trainee appraiser: $300

Application for license or certificate by reciprocity: $400

Application for non-resident temporary license or certification: $150

Examination: The amount established by the AQB approved examination provider

DPS Clearance Card Fee: $67

College Level Education (if applicable)

Depending on the certification level the applicant is applying for proof of various college level education may be required.

Qualifying Education

Proof of completion in the required qualifying education courses for your certification will be required.

Courses must meet the AQB’s criteria. A course can be approved by the Department OR the Appraisal Qualification (AQB) Course Approval Program (CAP). Qualifying courses must be a minimum of 15 hours and a final examination for each course must be passed prior to issuing a completion certificate. 

15-hour USPAP courses must have been completed within two years preceding the date application is submitted to the department.

Background Check

All applicants must undergo a criminal background check through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Documentation of “Yes” Answers

If disclosing any disciplinary actions, civil matters, for criminal matters proper proof must be submitted with the application including a signed statement, and date/location.

Proof of U.S. Citizenship, U.S. National Status, or Alien Status

Applicant must submit evidence of U.S. Citizenship, U.S. National Status, or Alien Status,

per A.R.S. §41-1080.

Experience

Applicants and designated supervisor must complete and experience log providing information on the required number of experience hours needed for the certification that is being applied for.

Experience Criteria

• Experience must have been acquired within ten years immediately preceding the filing of the application.
• 75% of the experience must include work for which the applicant inspected the subject property.
• Experience shall be logged on the Experience Log form provided by the Department

For additional experience, criteria visit here.

Requested Reports for Review

As part of the application review, reports will be selected by staff from the Experience Log and requested

from the applicant.

1. A minimum of three (3) appraisal reports will be selected for review.
2. No information on the requested reports can be redacted or missing. 

National Examination

After the Department finds the application to be complete, you will be provided information to take the AQB-approved National Examination.

The Superintendent shall license or certify an individual by reciprocity in the same classification, as specified in R4-46-201(A) in which the individual is currently licensed or certified if the individual:

1. Is licensed or certified in a state that meets the standards established at ARS 32-3618
2. Submits a completed application form
3. Submits documentation of citizenship or alien status specified under ARS 41-1080(A) indicating the individual’s presence in the US is authorized under federal law
4. Has the state in which the individual is currently licensed or certified send a verification of credential directly to the superintendent that provides the following information
5. License or certification number
6. Classification as specified in R4-46201(A) in which the individual is currently licensed or certified
7. Statement of whether the license or certificate is in good standing; and
8. Statement of whether disciplinary proceeding are pending against the individual
9. Submits evidence that the individual has applied for a valid fingerprint clearance card pursuant to ARS 32-36020(B)
10. submits the application and biennial National Registry fees specified in R4-46-106

For detailed information on reciprocity requirements and/or licensing requirements please contact:

Arizona Department of Financial Institutions

100 N 15th Avenue, Suite 261, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phone: (602) 771- 2800 fax: (602) 381-1225

website: http//azdfi.gov/