Going to take the AQB USPAP Course

[amacinnes]

Looks like everyone going to Dallas is now engrossed in the course materials - good luck and with the advice from those who experienced the process before maybe we will only have reunions for recertification!!

 

[JSmith43]

I scanned the posts, but I didn't see anyone question why USPAP shouldn't be limited to the general principles that instructors are taught.

Does anyone agree there is something suspiciously elitist about the whole thing?

Maybe elitist is the wrong word. I realize that everyone has to play with the cards dealt to them, including ASB members.

 

[George Hatch]

Roger,

I scanned the posts, but I didn't see anyone question why USPAP shouldn't be limited to the general principles that instructors are taught.

The ASB could have just stuck to training and testing instructors to pass along just the nuts-n-bolts applications. There'd be nothing really wrong with sticking to the "what" of USPAP. However, the ASB decided that it would be better for everyone for the instructors to be able to go a little deeper into the "why" of the various standards as well. The idea was that getting the instructors on the same page in terms of the underlying concepts and principles would minimize the amount of drift that occurs in the instruction of the applications.

Your question seems to imply that training everyone on the "why" to the exclusion of the "what" would make everything simpler for everyone. I disagree, and in support of that disagreement I cite the high failure rate for the instructor course. Not everyone who is qualified to take that course is capable of passing it - even with multiple attempts.

 

[amacinnes]

Prior to enrolling for the instructor certification, my impression was that the the course would be focussed on the "nuts and bolts" of USPAP which appraisers apply every day in our work - however, since reading the course materials and doing the practical tests, pass or fail, I believe I have a better understanding of what underlies USPAP in general. Although I must admit that I feel at times a lot of symantecs are involved- there must have been some lawyers involved in the wording -in 2 weeks it will be all over and I can back to getting a life again!

 

[JSmith43]

Part of the high failure rate of instructors might have something to do with the lack of consensus as to what should be embodied in professional appraisal standards.

I think that if a principle is worthy of adoption, it should be able to be communicated clearly to competent peers in the profession.

Sure, there is an argument that not everyone has the talent to be a worthy surgeon, appraiser, etc. This strikes me as giving the masses fishing regulation, while keeping the principles of successful fishing to the....fishing pros, I guess

 

[George Hatch]

Part of the high failure rate of instructors might have something to do with the lack of consensus as to what should be embodied in professional appraisal standards.

"Instructor activism" is exactly what TAF is trying to mitigate. Our role as instructors of the course is to present the course material as written and to support the party line. It's not our job to editorialize to course participants on what should be. As with appraisal standards themselves, half of the benefit of getting everyone on the same page is that it promotes uniformity and continuity. Even if there are some sour notes on that page.

As has been stated in a couple posts in this thread, would-be instructors need to have a strong grasp of the course material in order to pass, and they need to set aside whatever pre-conceptions they had about USPAP that might interfere with that course material.

Like most course participants, I had my share of expectations coming into that course and I found that my expectations were different than the material itself. I believe that the reason I passed was because I had a reasonable grasp of the semantics to begin with and I was willing to go with the flow instead of with my own perceptions. I might not have had as many areas of disconnect as some instructor applicants have had but I still wouldn't have passed had I not kept an open mind to the material.

 

[amacinnes]

The materials certainly opens one's mind and as most of us are probably involved in real estate appraisals we tend to forget that there are other disciplines who also apply USPAP so the net has to be cast fairly broadly to encompass all who ply their trade in the profession and operate under the rules. Thanks for the advice to keep an open mind and go with the flow - I'll try to remember that next week!

 

[JSmith43]

I'm still left hanging as to why the principles aren't also the emphasis of what is taught to the hungry masses of seasoned appraisers.

Why should the teaching methods be different?

Wait until the No Appraiser Left Behind interest group gets a load of this!

 

[George Hatch]

An individual appraiser can always exert the effort on their own behalf and learn about the material on their own. The material isn't a secret and the ASB members who teach the course don't wander off the script to provide instructor-applicants with special sauce recipes.

As for the teaching methods, I don't think making everyone take the instructor's course would be productive. That is, unless you think the membership of the entire profession needs to be winnowed down by 50% or more.


One thing I forgot to mention is that the participation of the various AQB Instructors and other USPAP geeks on this forum have advanced the general level of comprehension among the members here. If one has been following these threads here for any length of time they'll see some familiar material by the time they get into sitting for the course. The trickle down theory has worked quite well over the years, in my estimation.

 

[JSmith43]

I am far more attuned to how a USPAP instructor might answer a USPAP related question thanks to the contributions of George & other USPAP instructors that post here.

Apparently I'd flunk the test, perhaps repeatedly. I wonder if Steve S, a notable USPAP junkie and not part of the official priesthood would do?

If it is such a killer test, and there are no agendas beyond USPAP, why not a challenge option? After all, we are talking about subject matter that the ASB is trying to get out there.

Imagine, thousands of USPAP certified instructors. With enough promotion, and with enough access, it could be done. Most wouldn't want to teach, I assume. But they might want that snappy USPAP certified instructor signature line.

I'd like the option to fly somewhere and take the test, based upon my own study of USPAP. Of course, there are pre-conditions that one has to have the desire and opportunity to have taught for a few years, before being allowed to take the test.

What if that gauntlet screens out the most promising future instructors? You know the old saying.....Those that can, do:icon_mrgreen: