How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser

The California path

California licenses appraisers through the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA). BREA names four license levels: Trainee, Licensed Residential, Certified Residential and Certified General (brea.ca.gov).

BREA publishes the requirements for each level, including qualifying education, experience criteria and examination requirements, in its licensing handbook. Start there, not with a course ad: BREA licensing requirements.

BREA also says that anyone renewing a California appraiser licence on or after January 1, 2026 must complete the 7-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course to be eligible for renewal (BREA home page).

For the experience requirement, BREA lists a supervisor route, PAREA, and practicum programs (BREA home page).

The career in general terms

Anywhere in the country you start as a trainee under a licensed or certified appraiser, take required appraisal courses, log supervised experience and pass a state exam. Higher levels take more education and experience, and which properties you may appraise depends on your level. The ASC lists every state's appraisers in a national registry: ASC National Registry, Find an Appraiser.

What an appraiser does all day

• Inspects the property. Walks the inside and outside, notes condition, age, quality of construction, renovations and any issues that could affect value.
• Researches the market. Pulls public records and real estate databases, then studies recent sales, listings and local conditions.
• Compares similar properties. Sets the subject property against comparable sales in the area.
• Writes the report. The report covers the property, the method used, the comparables, photographs and the appraiser's opinion of value.
• Talks to clients. Lenders, buyers, sellers and attorneys ask questions, and the appraiser explains the result.

Kinds of value you will work with

• Market value: the price between a willing buyer and a willing seller on the open market. It is the most commonly used value.
• Assessed value: the value a government body assigns for property tax. It may not match market value.
• Replacement cost: what it would cost to replace the property, counting materials, labour and current market conditions. Insurance policies commonly use it.
• Liquidation value: what the property would fetch in a quick sale, often at a discount.
• Insurance value: the amount needed to replace or repair the property after damage or loss.
• Investment value: worth based on an investor's expected return, including rental income and appreciation. It varies from one investor to another.

Why people choose the work

Appraisers are needed whenever property is bought, sold, refinanced, insured or inherited, so there is steady demand for the work. Many appraisers work independently or choose their own clients; others work with appraisal firms or lenders. What you earn depends on your experience, location and specialty. This page doesn't quote an income figure, so look at current figures from a source you trust.

If you're a homeowner and not a future appraiser

BREA's Search for an Appraiser lets you check any California appraiser before you hire one: search the name and confirm the licence. The ASC registry does the same nationally. If you need an appraisal for an estate, probate, divorce, IRS or other purpose, see how we handle residential appraisals, then call or send us the address, the purpose, the valuation date and your deadline for a quote.