AQB's latest dumbing down by 'Stakeholders' Dropping the College Degree Requirement

[Elliott]

ShareFile

appraisalfoundation.sharefile.com

"Be Sure to Check Out the Concept Paper Assessing the College Degree Requirements in the Criteria

"The AQB has released a concept paper assessing the college degree requirement in the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria along with reference material which informed the initial paper. This is the first step in the AQB's comprehensive study of all aspects of the qualification criteria.
Now, they are seeking public input on the concept paper. Public comments are critical to the development of new editions of the Criteria, and the Appraiser Qualifications Board values all input it receives.

"The Appraiser Qualifications Board is now accepting all public comments until July 27th. To submit a comment, click here, and the AQB will review your feedback.

"Appraiser Qualifications Board Chair Brad Swinney, Vice Chair Jerry Yurek, and Vice President of Appraisal Issues Lisa Desmarais will host a webinar to discuss this Concept Paper on June 6, 2024, at 1:00 PM ET. Register here to attend the webinar.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I have a degree. The only purpose of a degree is to limit the number of applicants. That applies to most things. Sure, you need a math degree to teach college math. You need an engineering degree to design a mechanical or electrical system. But more and more companies are dropping the college requirement and apply industry specific education...which is what the original intention was of appraisers. These were to be skilled technicians who earned their stripes in the field. Most appraisers were in the building trades or RE sales at some point in their lives and my work with civil engineers was far more valuable to me in those first years than knowing how to operate a chromatograph or identify rock formations from microscopic examination of drilling samples.

 

[alebrewer]

I agree WRT the opinion that a degree is not critical to performing valuation services at a very high level. That said, it seems the timing of it all is what is causing the rub... it seems the only reason the degree requirement is being dropped is to speed up the diversity initiatives, as there is a MUCH larger pool of willing participants without degrees than with degrees - which, if that is the case, is not a legitimate reason for dropping the requirement. IMHO.

 

[ucbruin]

What does it have to do with diversity....

 

[chad hampton]

Of course they have to drop it. No one with a college degree is going to work for CC of class valuation for $20/hr. The snake oil pushers have no choice but to push for more folks with GED's in this "profession".

 

[George Hatch]

It is not the function of licensing to act as brake on the supply of appraisers. I complain about PAREA flooding the market, but the reason includes the point that the program cannot emulate some of the critical functions of the experience of acting in the role of appraiser in real world appraisal practice such as dealing with the ethical challenges or being compelled to work their way through an off-script and new-to-them problem without the benefit of being provided with all 4 possible answers in the multiple choice exam.

I've seen MANY appraisal reports that were completely acceptable and which were performed by appraisers who never went to college, or who only went 2 years. We've had plenty of our own regulars who didn't ever get their 4yr degree prior to entering the profession. As just one example most regulars will remember, Dennis DeSaix was a fully formed and capable appraiser the day he joined this forum, years before he earned a college degree and his MAI. As well as others on this forum. NOBODY here is going to tell me these people were inadequately educated to perform. That they didn't know how to think or how to analyze or how to write.

Now I agree that the average HS grad in the 2000s might come up a bit short when compared to grads from the 1980s or into the 1990s. But some of them are just as capable.

Besides, nobody is getting in who can't pass the QE courses and the licensing exam (which to this day don't have a 50% pass rate); so if someone is sufficiently competent at the QE to get that far then we aren't talking about some illiterate who just got promoted to the next grade in school for showing up 61% of the time.

In my view the intermediate requirements back in 2008 were sufficient to purpose. AA degree or completion of 5 or 7 (can't remember the exact number TBH) specific and accredited college courses.

Which BTW, any aspiring appraiser can complete online for cheap while working on their experience hours. Or for almost free via CLEP (College Level Exam Program) testing.

 

[TN Pro]

Of course they have to drop it. No one with a college degree is going to work for CC of class valuation for $20/hr. The snake oil pushers have no choice but to push for more folks with GED's in this "profession".

Lots of people with a college degree work for $20 an hour.

 

[J Grant]

I have a degree. The only purpose of a degree is to limit the number of applicants. That applies to most things. Sure, you need a math degree to teach college math. You need an engineering degree to design a mechanical or electrical system. But more and more companies are dropping the college requirement and apply industry specific education...which is what the original intention was of appraisers. These were to be skilled technicians who earned their stripes in the field. Most appraisers were in the building trades or RE sales at some point in their lives and my work with civil engineers was far more valuable to me in those first years than knowing how to operate a chromatograph or identify rock formations from microscopic examination of drilling samples.

What kindof degree do you hold?

Lots of people with a college degree work for $20 an hour.

A college degree is about becoming educaitoned. it does not guarantee an income or employment. Hoever, overall, college grads tend to out earn on college grads.
i.
When the college degree was dropped from res appraising some years back and as soon as I saw that I knew the res end of the field was doomed. Then they dropped the AA degree, now it is down to some credits. College, despite those who like to mock it, college teaches people to think, and to reason. You can not be a complete idiot and graduate college. It shows a person can apply themselves, pass exams, and endure the pressure for four years—some drop out of college. Not everybody can do it. That is the point. It levels the playing field at the bottom, at the very least..

Some folks who do not attend college may be smarter than some college grads, or make more money. But that is besides the point. College exposes one to critical thinking and reasoning regardless fo the major.

The problem is not piling on more appraisal course work as the people here who passed the exam got licensed, even practiced for years yet as questions that are inrecuedlous to see, which as they don't understand or know how to apply a fundamental such as HBU or surplus vs. vacant land. Yet they memorized enough about it to pass a test, so three more courses on it won't matter; they simply are incapable of the reasoning required. Some don;t even realize we are giving market value opionns and not predicitoing sale prices. It is terrible

Now they want to dum down commercial? Good luck with it.

 

[J Grant]

Research Summary: Education and Lifetime Earnings

Social Security Administration Research, Statistics, and Policy Analysis

www.ssa.gov

 

[Zoe]

Let's think about the parties involved in PAREA.

Let's do that first.

Can you give me the primary parties involved?