Certified vs. Licensed

[Wayne Tomlinson]

When licensing began, there were two designations in Illinois'

Licensed, and Certified General. Nothing else.

At that time under Illinois law a newbie appraiser with 75 hours and a test could do all the things that a CR can do now.

Eventually the feds objected, the Certified Residential was invented, and things went on. Licensed and CR were essentially the same.

Then a trainee appraiser designation was created, which is now Associate appraiser-trainee was created.

The license designation was eliminated all prior licensed had to either upgrade or revert to trainee, no matter how long they had been appraising.

That was the motivation in Illinois.

Some of the dates above may be incorrect, but the story is essentially correct.

In the last renewal, only 54% of the trainee-associates renewed. I would expect that the AQB may move to tighter restrictions.

If I were licensed now I would look at what is happening elsewhere for thoughts of what might happen where ever you are.

With 1-1-2008, the state is also requiring the new education requirements including the degrees and stuff to upgrade.

Wayne Tomlinson

 

[Greg Bell]

I just received my Certified Residential designation after passing the test. Actually came in the mail Monday. Here in NY we dont get the results of our exam until 2-3 weeks after its taken so there is an emotional build up until you receive it. I do feel a sense of accomplishment now that I have it.
In my parts there aren't many 1,000,000+ homes either but I know some lenders prefer Certified Appraisers over Licensed. Even know of one that requires Licensed Appraisers to have a Certified sign off as of 2008. So in the end the its up to the banks anyway and if they want Certified over Licensed its good to be prepared.

Some WILL look at your resume.I have never experienced any differential between License or Certified , besides , I am to old to take another test , I might forget where to sit.Licensed appraisers unite , Quick buy some beans and ammo..

 

[Couch Potato]

Licensed appraisers unite.Don't let 20 years experience go down the drain.Stand you ground , defend the homestead , zowie , that does sound defensive.I am heartbroken that I will not be able to supervise someone that will eventually steal my accounts and work against me in later years.Oh ,and 5 years ago I actually turned down a 1 Million dollar home , bankruptcy here I come.Quick Buy some beans and ammo..

That's the spirit Greg. Don't let the b@st@rds get you down.

An often overlooked point Wayne. The facts show "Certified Residential" was a creation of the states, and fills the role intended for "Licensed" appraisers.

 

[Richard Carlsen]

License law in Michigan says that a State Licensed appraiser is qualified to appraise property up to and including $1,00,000 transaction amount. It also says that Certified Residential appraisers are qualified to appraise any residential property regardless of value.

What Michigan license law does not say is that below this $1,000,000 transaction amount, a Certified Residential appraiser is more qualified to do the appraisal than the State Licensed appraiser.

This, unfortunately, has been born out more than once by some of the review assignments that I have completed where the appraiser held a Certified Residential license.

The bottom line is that any given license level only means that the candidate has endured the required hours with a mentor, taken sufficient numbers of classes and managed to pass an examination.

LICENSE LEVEL ALONE IS NOT AN INDICATION OF SUPERIOR APPRAISAL COMPETENCE AT ANY GIVEN COMPARABLE VALUE.​

 

[Mike Garrett RAA]

Amen, I know many very well qualified licensed appraisers and a few incompetent certified ones too.

 

[airphoto]

Having never been 'licensed' or a form of trainee I have no background to compare that with. It's been 15 years since I was 'examined' but, recall at that time that the exam was the same for 'licensed' or 'certified' and the only difference was the completed hours of courses. What's the situation now? ..

 

[RustyLingerfelt]

This debate seems to pop up everytime business slows. Its always somebody defending a position so that they do not have to change their way of thinking. Being CG is not the finish it is the starting point to learning more about your abilities and skills. When I see people fighting over who is better thats like going to a race and say 1st and 3rd places are the same. A licensed appraiser and a Certified general are just not the same. Is more education better than less? Is more experience better than less. I know there are exceptions to every rule but what I find as the factor in all this is the desire not to change. I do very little review work because few are willing to pay $400 for a residential review, but what I see is crazy. Appraisers who do not know current USPAP changes, state law or fannie mae regulations. We have to really look at our business when outside forces are calling for more education and within our ranks we don't want change. We are all about increasing our fees but leave our requirements alone. I don't know what is required for your state but in this mad market time I don't think I want someone who just got their GED and gone through a two week course at Hack and sacks appraisal school and tanning to do the valuation on my largest investment.

I have been CG now for about four years, I allows me to take on more work and better work why would someone not want that choice. At this time I still feel that my skills and knowledge are not at their best and have started my path towards the AI's MAI program. I have found that one weekend a year is not enough investment for my business.

There is no fight here, your level is being looked at by more than your fellow appraisers. Soon the amount of write downs will not just go away and like every crisis more laws will be formed. FHA will be going through this same process two years from now. Having a CG is not the end but at least I can tell what color the sky is and show you the test of reasonableness to prove it. More education and more requirements make this akin to a profession less education and less requirements make this a trade. Each appraiser must pick their type of understanding in this process. I will one day be an MAI, unless you have taken some of their classes then you will not know what that means. I am not doing this for someone, I am doing this because I want to be the best I can be. I wish everyone good luck.
Rusty

CG in Georgia and Tenn.

 

[JJohnson1985]

With 1-1-2008, the state is also requiring the new education requirements including the degrees and stuff to upgrade.

Wayne Tomlinson

That is why I am working for associates and not just the minimal requirements. It just stinks for me that I was late to the party and have to. A humanities class about American history from the late 19th century to the present mixed with critiquing art is interesting, but it won't teach me how to appraise my own house.

 

[Kali the Boston Terrier]

The fallacies that fly around in this debate are hilarious, I have reviewed XYX licenses and they were garbage. Therefore all of that license level must be garbage too. Therefore I am not going to get that license...what a joke.

I got an idea how about we make broad generalizations about race and ethnic groups too. Its just as plausible as the logic being tossed around here.

This debate is about whether to better yourself or not, if a higher license level is not for you...so be it. But don't try to sell the world on whatever malarky you use to rationalize this decision in your own head. But not wanting to upgrade and thinking the status quo will be fine also strips any of you of the ability to complain when the invisible hand of the market sweeps right by you.

There are plenty of other industries that changed like this, many fought, most lost...

 

[Greg Bell]

This debate seems to pop up everytime business slows. Its always somebody defending a position so that they do not have to change their way of thinking. Being CG is not the finish it is the starting point to learning more about your abilities and skills. When I see people fighting over who is better thats like going to a race and say 1st and 3rd places are the same. A licensed appraiser and a Certified general are just not the same. Is more education better than less? Is more experience better than less. I know there are exceptions to every rule but what I find as the factor in all this is the desire not to change. I do very little review work because few are willing to pay $400 for a residential review, but what I see is crazy. Appraisers who do not know current USPAP changes, state law or fannie mae regulations. We have to really look at our business when outside forces are calling for more education and within our ranks we don't want change. We are all about increasing our fees but leave our requirements alone. I don't know what is required for your state but in this mad market time I don't think I want someone who just got their GED and gone through a two week course at Hack and sacks appraisal school and tanning to do the valuation on my largest investment.

I have been CG now for about four years, I allows me to take on more work and better work why would someone not want that choice. At this time I still feel that my skills and knowledge are not at their best and have started my path towards the AI's MAI program. I have found that one weekend a year is not enough investment for my business.

There is no fight here, your level is being looked at by more than your fellow appraisers. Soon the amount of write downs will not just go away and like every crisis more laws will be formed. FHA will be going through this same process two years from now. Having a CG is not the end but at least I can tell what color the sky is and show you the test of reasonableness to prove it. More education and more requirements make this akin to a profession less education and less requirements make this a trade. Each appraiser must pick their type of understanding in this process. I will one day be an MAI, unless you have taken some of their classes then you will not know what that means. I am not doing this for someone, I am doing this because I want to be the best I can be. I wish everyone good luck.
Rusty
Baloney , I have 20 years experience and plenty of education hours to upgrade .I am just stubborn and lenders , which as of today most probably won't be around much longer , don't give hoot as long as your licensed Besides it's all over and it's time to " Buy some beans and Ammo"
Licensed appraisers unite against Certified tyranny...:new_snipersmilie: