Most of the other appraisal organizations offer a "fast track" to reciprocity if you have an MAI designation, but it usually doesn't go both ways. The "panache" is largely very effective marketing. But it is like any other designation, no matter how hard an appraiser worked to get it, taking classes, writing demonstration reports, case studies, and taking comprehensive exams, you have to send them over $1000 every year to keep the designation you earned. If I earn another designation, it will probably be a IRWA, which has reciprocity with 2 of my other designations.MAI is a brand sold for years and no one else's designation is truly of the same level of salesmanship.
There are other designations. The ASFMRA offers an ARA for rural appraisers. The ASA offers the ASA designation. While these are comparable in terms of obtaining, none have the panache of the MAI. All the other designations are nothing burgers that have very little recognition in the banking industry.
I've never run across any other designations at banks, smaller community banks usually have a schmuck in place ordering appraisals and that's where non-designated commercial appraisers get most of their bank business. Other designations are a big nothing burger because MAI's at banks hire other MAI's. And I witnessed the MAI club politics up close. A commercial guy with the bank for 15 years wasn't even considered for a promotion by the MAI chief appraiser, an MAI with no banking experience was hired at 25% higher salary and he placed him in a leadership position over the non-designated guy. The cherry on top was the titles and perks that were given on day one despite bank policy stating certain experience requirements were to be met for those titles/perks. Anyway, nothing new under the sun.MAI is a brand sold for years and no one else's designation is truly of the same level of salesmanship.
There are other designations. The ASFMRA offers an ARA for rural appraisers. The ASA offers the ASA designation. While these are comparable in terms of obtaining, none have the panache of the MAI. All the other designations are nothing burgers that have very little recognition in the banking industry.
I like IRWA a lot for their education and networking. Only quip is they are not the best about filing the CE documents with the state. I was told that this is a responsibility for the local chapter, so you might have no trouble with this. But I took 14 hours this year to keep my designation active, and won't be getting any CE credit for itIf I earn another designation, it will probably be a IRWA, which has reciprocity with 2 of my other designations.
All you have to do, in my state anyway, is send the board the syllabus and course content description and your continuing education form (and a $25 fee) and the board will approve it for continuing education. I always did this on my IAAO designation or any appraisal conferences. You just have to pay for the course to be approved since the IRWA didn't but the chapter here does get some classes approved here since we have the busiest TDOT region.I like IRWA a lot for their education and networking. Only quip is they are not the best about filing the CE documents with the state. I was told that this is a responsibility for the local chapter, so you might have no trouble with this. But I took 14 hours this year to keep my designation active, and won't be getting any CE credit for it![]()
I have witnessed this as well. Many years ago, I applied for a commercial review appraiser job at a major bank. The Chief Appraiser (who was not an MAI) knew my appraisal work (a copy of my appraisal report went directly to him every time I did a commercial narrative), but he told me he wanted an MAI for the job. We were both "MAI Candidates" at the time. You are right, most of my commercial and farm appraisal work was done for small community banks in outlying counties. In retrospect, I hate review work, I can't imagine what I was thinking then. The MAI also required a 4 year degree unless you were already a "made man", and many of the other designations do not require a 4 year degree. You will see jobs in the Assessment field that require the CAE (from IAAO) or MAI interchangeably. You can also challenge the required classes by challenging the class exams, if you're a good test taker to get credit for classes.I've never run across any other designations at banks, smaller community banks usually have a schmuck in place ordering appraisals and that's where non-designated commercial appraisers get most of their bank business. Other designations are a big nothing burger because MAI's at banks hire other MAI's. And I witnessed the MAI club politics up close. A commercial guy with the bank for 15 years wasn't even considered for a promotion by the MAI chief appraiser, an MAI with no banking experience was hired at 25% higher salary and he placed him in a leadership position over the non-designated guy. The cherry on top was the titles and perks that were given on day one despite bank policy stating certain experience requirements were to be met for those titles/perks. Anyway, nothing new under the sun.