How to register
To qualify as a registered property appraiser under ORS 308.010, you must meet certain training and education criteria, then file an application and pass an exam.
Submit an Application for registered Appraiser online.
Examination
We'll review your application within 14 days and notify you by email whether or not you've met the qualifications to take the appraiser exam. The proctored exam is offered on the first and third Tuesday of each month. There is no charge to take the 100 multiple-choice question exam that covers:
- General appraisal concepts
- Principles, processes, and definitions
- Surveying and mapping
- Vocabulary
- Appraisal processes
- Valuation
The maximum time allowed to take the exam is three hours, and you must get a score of 70 to pass. Grade notification letters are sent to all examinees. If you pass, you'll receive a registered appraiser certificate. If you don't pass, you can retake the exam by contacting the site where you took the test.
Exam preparation resources
- Real estate appraisal courses at community or four-year colleges
- Private real estate appraisal courses [for example, International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), Appraisal Institute]
- Appraisal of Real Estate Manual from the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers.
- Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal from the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers
- Appraisal Methods of Real Property, 150-303-415
- Harrison's Illustrated Guide: How to Pass Any General or Residential Appraisal Examination
Continuing education requirements
After passing the county property appraiser exam, you must complete continuing education coursework to maintain your registration. You must complete 60 credit hours in the first two calendar years after becoming registered and 30 credits every two years after that.
Qualifying course work
Coursework that covers any of the following topics qualifies for continuing education credit:
- Basic and advanced mass appraisal
- Residential, rural, special assessment, commercial, or light-industrial appraisal
- Property tax exemptions
- Ratio analysis
- Computer applications for assessments and appraisals
- Farm or forest uses
- Property-specific appraisal
Reporting continuing education credits
Continuing education credits must be reported through your Appraiser Continuing Education Database (ACED) account. If you don't have an account, you'll need to set one up.
Recertification
Appraisers working for an Oregon county are recertified by the county assessor at the end of their two-year cycle. Department of Revenue and independent appraisers are recertified by the Department of Revenue.
Requesting a waiver
You can request a waiver of the continuing education requirements for:
- Illness, disability, accident, or other health problems
- Military service
To request a waiver, log into your ACED account and go to the "Credit Request" tab. Be sure to upload documentation to support your waiver request. For questions about continuing education requirements, email us at continuing.education@dor.oregon.gov.
About the appraiser trainee program
The appraiser trainee program is an on-the-job training program for county assessment staff. You may be able to work as an appraiser trainee while training to become a registered appraiser depending on the county you are employed by and their position qualifications.
Program objective
To meet the requirements to take the property appraiser examination. This is accomplished through on-the-job training, formal education, and other work-related experiences.
How to be an appraiser trainee
Please contact your local
county assessor's office. A county assessor must submit your name to the Department of Revenue for you to be an appraiser trainee. You will need to meet all requirements set forth by the county and assessor.
Program basics
Training is designed by the county assessor based on factors such as:
- Relevancy of completed college courses.
- Applicability of vocational education.
- Related work experience.
- Specific appraisal courses completed through education institutions and associations.
- Department of Revenue training courses attended.
- The program may not exceed two years from the date of enrollment.
It's the trainee's responsibility to complete all necessary education and training requirements. The assessor monitors and reviews the trainee's progress.
Upon completion of the program, the trainee is eligible to take the test to qualify as a registered appraiser. To take the test, the trainee must submit an application for registered appraiser online.