How to Get a Real estate appraiser License in California (2026)

California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers

California Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers

Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://brea.ca.gov/html/lic_hdbk.html

Licensing Handbook

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://brea.ca.gov/html/lic_hdbk.html

How to become Trainee Appraiser

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Trainees may appraise property their supervisor is permitted to appraise, under direct, personal and diligent supervision.

Trainees may appraise property their supervisor is permitted to appraise, under direct, personal and diligent supervision.

Any property which the supervising appraiser is permitted to appraise under direct, personal, and diligent supervision of supervisory appraiser(s).

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Certified residential: 200 qualifying hours plus an approved college/CLEP pathway or five-year licensed-residential alternative; initial applicants also complete two-hour elimination of bias, one-hour cultural competency and four-hour California law courses.

Certified residential: 200 qualifying hours plus an approved college/CLEP pathway or five-year licensed-residential alternative; initial applicants also complete two-hour elimination of bias, one-hour cultural competency and four-hour California law courses.

A minimum of 200 hours of basic/qualifying education ... Holding a Licensed Residential credential for a minimum of five years with no record of disciplinary action within the five years immediately preceding the application date. ... Elimination of Bias course 2 Hours ... Cultural Competency course 1 Hour ... Laws and Regulations course 4 Hours

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Certified residential: 1,500 hours over at least 12 months, or approved PAREA/practicum alternative.

Certified residential: 1,500 hours over at least 12 months, or approved PAREA/practicum alternative.

minimum of 1,500 hours of real property appraisal experience obtained cumulatively over a period of not less than twelve (12) months. ... Certified Residential PAREA program or AQB and/or BREA approved Certified Residential Practicum program shall be accepted for 100% of the experience requirement.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Initial trainee application fee: $930.

Initial trainee application fee: $930.

Initial Trainee Application Fee ... A total of $930.00 non-refundable fee must be submitted along with the application.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Initial licensed-residential application fee: $1,035.

Initial licensed-residential application fee: $1,035.

Initial Licensed Residential Application Fee ... A total of $1035.00 non-refundable fee must be submitted along with the application.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Initial certified-residential application fee: $1,110.

Initial certified-residential application fee: $1,110.

Initial Certified Residential Application Fee ... A total of $1,110.00 non-refundable fee must be submitted along with the application.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal fees: trainee $850, licensed residential $955, certified residential $1,030. Submit REA 3012 with completed CE; online renewal is encouraged, subject to exclusions.

Renewal fees: trainee $850, licensed residential $955, certified residential $1,030. Submit REA 3012 with completed CE; online renewal is encouraged, subject to exclusions.

For Appraiser Trainee license renewal: $850 ... For Licensed Residential license renewal: $955 ... For Certified Residential license renewal: $1,030 ... Applicants must submit the REA 3012 License Renewal Application ... Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit the renewal applications online

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewed licenses are valid for a maximum of two years from prior expiration if the application, fees and evidence of compliance arrive before midnight on the prior license's last day.

Renewed licenses are valid for a maximum of two years from prior expiration if the application, fees and evidence of compliance arrive before midnight on the prior license's last day.

The renewed license shall be valid for a maximum of two years from the date of expiration of the prior license, provided the Renewal Application is received by the Bureau before midnight of the last day of the period for which the previous license was issued, accompanied by the applicable renewal fees and evidence of good faith compliance with the provisions of this article.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

18 years old

18

18 years of age or older

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Trainee: 83 hours qualifying education plus four-hour supervisor/trainee, one-hour cultural competency and four-hour California law courses, all within five years before application.

Trainee: 83 hours qualifying education plus four-hour supervisor/trainee, one-hour cultural competency and four-hour California law courses, all within five years before application.

A minimum of 83 hours of basic/qualifying education ... Supervisor/Trainee Appraiser course 4 Hours ... Cultural Competency course 1 Hour ... Laws and Regulations course 4 Hours ... All qualifying and additional California education must be completed within the five (5) year period immediately preceding the date of application

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Licensed residential: 158 qualifying hours; initial applicants also complete one-hour cultural competency and four-hour California law courses.

Licensed residential: 158 qualifying hours; initial applicants also complete one-hour cultural competency and four-hour California law courses.

A minimum of 158 hours of basic/qualifying education ... Additional California Education Requirements for Initial Applicants ... Cultural Competency course 1 Hour ... Laws and Regulations course 4 Hours

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Licensed residential: 1,000 hours over at least six months; approved PAREA or practicum may satisfy 100%.

Licensed residential: 1,000 hours over at least six months; approved PAREA or practicum may satisfy 100%.

minimum of 1,000 hours of real property appraisal experience obtained cumulatively over a period of not less than six (6) months. ... Licensed Residential PAREA program or AQB and/or BREA approved Licensed Residential Practicum program shall be accepted for 100% of the experience requirement.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Licensed and certified residential applicants receive eligibility to take the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination; five attempts within one year of the eligibility letter.

Licensed and certified residential applicants receive eligibility to take the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination; five attempts within one year of the eligibility letter.

National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination ... Applicants are allowed five attempts to pass the examination within one year from the date the Bureau issues the eligibility letter.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

56 hours

56

Four-year Renewal Cycle: A total of fifty-six (56) hours.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal CE covers USPAP, valuation bias and fair housing, appraisal law, cultural competency and elimination of bias. Course hours and overlaps differ for initial and later cycles; review the detailed source.

Every two-year cycle: seven-hour USPAP and valuation bias/fair housing (seven hours initially, four thereafter). Four-year 56-hour cycle includes four hours law, one cultural competency and two elimination of bias; the four-hour valuation-bias course satisfies the latter.

Two-year Renewal Cycle: a. 7-hour National USPAP Continuing Education course. b. 7-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course for the first time and 4-hour ... thereafter. ... Minimum four (4) hours course on federal and California appraisal related statutory and regulatory law. ... One hour course on cultural competency ... Two-hour (2) course on elimination of bias ... the 4-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course should satisfy this requirement

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

A valid out-of-state credential with requirements meeting or exceeding BREA's may qualify. Submit REA 3025, consent to service, license evidence, fingerprints and the required California law, cultural competency and eight-hour valuation-bias education.

A valid out-of-state credential with requirements meeting or exceeding BREA's may qualify. Submit REA 3025, consent to service, license evidence, fingerprints and the required California law, cultural competency and eight-hour valuation-bias education.

Appraisers who hold a valid credential from another state may apply for reciprocity in California provided that the credentialing requirements of the applicant’s credentialing state meet or exceed those of BREA. ... Application for reciprocal license (REA 3025) ... Consent to Service of Process (REA 3006) ... Evidence of a valid license ... four (4) hours ... statutory and regulatory law and one (01) hour ... cultural competency ... Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations (8 Hours) ... Request for Live Scan service

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Submit renewal at least 90 days before expiration. Applications are not accepted more than 180 days in advance.

Applications for renewal of licenses should be submitted to the Bureau at least 90 days prior to the license expiration date. However, applications for renewal shall not be accepted by the Bureau more than 180 days prior to the expiration of the existing license. Applies to: California appraiser license renewals; renewed licenses are valid for a maximum of two years

Applications for renewal of licenses should be submitted to the Bureau at least 90 days prior to the license expiration date. However, applications for renewal shall not be accepted by the Bureau more than 180 days prior to the expiration of the existing license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026