State License In Mass/anyway To Grandfather To Certified?

[bnmappraisal]

I have been in the engineering field for years and wanted a change. I know, I know. Not that smartest move in the world but when I made the decision the appraisal industry was a 1000 times different then it is today and I thought I could start my own firm and be successful without a college degree. Which 1000's of people do everyday in 1000's of ways. Oh well. I'll just have to make some tough decisions. Just a shame all the work, hours, money and schooling to get my state license is for not. They should really just delete the "state license" because I have not met a bank yet that will accept it without a certified supervising which severely limits my options to make any real money.

Chris I wish you the best of luck. I'm sorry that you fall into the gap between Licensed and CR. I can understand your frustration b/c a good friend of mine in MN is in a similar boat.
Again, good luck

 

[Walter Kirk]

I doubt that you will ever be allowed to be certified without a BA degree. I suggest that you check on the possibility of obtaining a BA through a non traditional source. New Jersey has Thomas Edison College, New York has Empire State College these schools award degrees based on a combination of tests, work experience and courses which you can take at your local community college or online. I'm sure that Massachusetts has a similar program.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I know countless people with 4 year degrees who if the degree were not able to be verified, one would seriously question whether they even graduated high school.

I feel dumb enough at times to wonder how I ever got thru college myself

Most on line colleges have minimal class requirements if you can demonstrate "life experience" etc. I was told that writing a book will get you credits in some colleges. You can self publish these on line via Amazon and they are free if you do it yourself. I've made almost $400 in royalties for books. Now if your nom de plume is Rod AxleStud, you might have to take the degree in "creative writing"...

 

[Allen Moore]

I began my appraisal schooling in 2005 and set off to complete my training hours and schooling When things slowed dramatically due to the collapse I suspended my appraisal aspirations so that I could pay the bills. I returned to the engineering for three years. I resumed my appraisal schooling and training hours. I took and passed my state license test in Massachusetts in July of 2014. By that time an associates degree was required to apply to take the Certified Exam. Now, a Bachelors is required. I have neither. At 45 with 3 kids, a wife and household to support, obtaining a Bachelors Degree is not financially possible. I have been appraising for the better part of 10 years as a trainee and for the past 18 months as a state licensed appraiser in Massachusetts. If given the chance I feel extremely confident I would ace the Certified exam. The reason this is important to my family and I is due to the fact that a State License to appraise residential properties in the state of Massachusetts appears to be as useless as a toilet filled with cement. The fact is that the majority, if not all, lenders out there will not accept a state license even though Massachusetts Board Of Appraisers clearly states that I am eligible to appraiser single, 1-4 family and under a $1,000,000 properties.

So, now that I have that off my chest. Is there anyone out there in a similar situation? If so, are you aware of any "grandfather" type clause that may exist in order for me to take my certified exam without attending 4 years of college to learn a skill I have been practicing successfully for the better part of ten years. Any information will be greatly appreciated. I have calls into the Mass Board of Appraisals but so far no luck getting thru or getting any solid information. I am certain I can't be the only one who these ridiculous guidelines have stopped in there tracks.

Thanks Again,

Chris Porter
chrisporter49@comcast.net

Hello Chris,

I saw an email in November that stated TAF has fielded concerns about this and actually acknowledges the problem because those stuck at the "Licensed" level face a limited future if they are not a college graduate or don't have the time or resources to become one in view of the fact that the licensed appraiser has probably practiced ethically and competently for a number of years. Therefore, the AQB is considering some path for those who for have contributed to the profession over the years to become "Certified" absent a degree. The Board agreed that this is an issue they should
examine more closely, and will be performing more research to try and ascertain whether such a scenario could be facilitated. Nothing has been firmly established, but at least TAF acknowledges the problem.

 

[devin]

I was in a similar situation in CA, I was a trainee since 05, and just like you while obtaining my experience the market changed and slowed of course. So I let my license expire, then had to take the required continuing ed, plus late penalty courses to renew., by this time it was the end of 07, at the Beginning of 08 I was ready to upgrade from AT to AL, but when I contacted the Orea, I was told that since my application date had a calendar year of 08, that I had fell under the new additional education requirements, which required me to take 75 more hours of education, so I went and took those courses and over time, The years went by, and I had to take my CE courses again, by now it was 2012, and I was thinking about leaving this career as a whole.,but renewed again, however still a trainee, at the time, and hearing the News about the Major changes that were coming in Jan, 2015, I really had some serious decision making to do, pressed for time, In the beginning of 2014 decided to upgrade to AR instead of AL,
The difference at the time which was Pre 2015, was AL =2000hrs experience, no less than 12months, and pass the state . Which I already had my hours, or AR =2500 hours no sooner than 30 months, and an A/A degree or in lieu of an A/A they would've accepted 21 units from an accredited college or University, but they were 7 specific courses. So Since I already had college credit for 2 out of the 7 required courses ,which totaled 6 units, I went back to school online the take the remaining 15 units, which were 5 courses, finished the 5 courses, and while taking those courses I also was taking, my full CE courses in order to meet my renewal for 2014, all this while working another full time job, I got my renewal in by August, a seperate application fees education proof, etc, and Finally by October submitted a seperate application for my upgrade for A/R along with proof of all college education, 2500 hours logged, and appropriate fees, Wow, now it was a matter of waiting to received my admit letter from the state, which could've taken up to 90 days. Received my letter in November, took the state 4 times Finally Passes it on December 29, 2014, immediately after that same day overnited my original test results, along with my 2 work samples, application and fees, to the Orea, because all applications needed to be post marked before Jan 1, 2015 in order to be Grandfathered in with the 2014 requirements, that's my story, it was a roller-coaster ride for me, but I barley made it,

 

[devin]

From my understanding you need all that you experience you mentioned, plus an A/A degree, to upgrade to A/L, and you need a B/A degree if your upgrading to A/R or C/G. As far as experience hours each upgrade has their specific amount, on the OREA website it states all the requirements, I know it's 2000 hours no less than 12months for A/L, and 2500 hours no less than 30 months for A/R and 3000 hours no less than 30 months. There's also seperate requirements for basic education, for A/T and A/L it's 150 hours of specific courses, for A/R it's 200 hours of specific courses, and for C/G it's 300 hours of specific courses. It's all on the OREA website, but this is what I know for California, I know this without even looking at the website, because I've lived on it for the past 10 years, lol.

 

[devin]

Prior to Jan 2015, in California the Orea was accepting 21 units in lieu of an A/A degree, in order to upgrade to A/R, since then I haven't heard of any other alternatives, I know there are online more fast paced schools that offer degrees, which might help, also there are Clep courses you can test out of and receive full course college credits depending on which subjects they are, I know this, because it was an option I was considering in 2014 while deciding the fastest way to get college credits to beat the 2015 deadline, fortunately I found an online school which offered all the required 21 units at that time, which was Allied American University, it was part of Allied Schools, but a seperate University for college degrees, the courses were pricey, but at the time I felt my back was against the wall so I took the ones I needed. There's still hope to upgrade, you just gotta research ways to short cut the college courses.

 

[gotnoworrys]

I'm a little late to joining this conversation but here are my two cents. I went to college at 45. Finished at 49 as the oldest graduating student. I have $25,000 in debt now. It is now 3 years later. My degree is in business. I use a lot of what I learned in my daily work. But my degree is fresh. I wanted to get the degree and I didn't view it as a means to an end. For me, the added education is an accomplishment I am proud of. Maybe the requirement is catalysis for your degree but you may love going to school and learning about how business works, economics, writing, ethics, law etc.

I would say, based on my experience, Go For It! And get your money’s worth.

 

[bnmappraisal]

For me, the added education is an accomplishment I am proud of

And you should be! Good for you. Salut'

 

[devin]

Never too late to accomplish that, with hard work dedication, it can be done , the hardest things at times is making up your mind to do so, and you did congrats