McKissock fees different for the same course

[Mike Kennedy]

As with everyone, I need to accumulate CE for my various state appraisal licenses as well as my state sales license. I have taken McKissock online courses and seminars before, and have been generally satisfied. I like to take courses that earn me credit hours for both my appraisal and sales licenses (two birds with one stone, so to speak).

I looked at McKissock's classes that are approved for appraisal CE and broker CE, and notice that the same courses that are approved for both cost different amounts depending on whether you get to the courses by requesting "real estate continuing education" or "appraisal continuing education". For example, the 7-hour "income capitalization" course costs $109 if you navigate to it as an appraisal CE class, but only $69 if you get to it as a real estate CE class.

I have two questions:

1. Why the different costs for the same course?

2. If I take it under the real estate CE, is there any reason I couldn't use the hours for my appraisal licenses?

I would appreciate any thoughts you all have on this. I see no reason to pay significantly more for the same course if I don't have to.

:icon_idea: ASK ....THEM?

McKissock Real Estate and Appraisal School
PO Box 1673
Warren, PA 16365
PHONE: (800) 328-2008
FAX: (814) 723-3016

 

[JoeGermade]

Has anyone else looked into this? I don’t think it would have anything to do with the state because a class is a class. Mckissock just charges different for the field you take it for. I spoke to them a while back and they said its no big deal but make sure you request duplicate certificates. Today I tries to sign up for a bunch of classes and they have an option to add an additional certificate for $10. Once you mark off your an appraiser the prices jump up to reflect the price of the appraisal class.

Has anyone taken the RE classes and than later requested a duplicate certificate. Or does the certificate state on it "Appraisal continuing education" or Real estate Continuing education"?

 

[Melissa Wilson]

Difference in Fees

Hello all!

The difference in fees for Appraisal courses versus Real Estate courses can be explained by the costs of the approvals. Obviously there is no additional cost of development since it's the same course. However, for Appraisal Approval, the course needs to be approved by IDECC, the AQB, and then the state Appraisal Boards - all which have associated approval and renewal fees, and sometimes licensing or roster fees as well. Not to mention USPAP courses in which the Foundation takes a percentage of every course for licensing eBooks, reporting tracking forms, etc.

To offer the same course for Real Estate approval, you pay an additional $50 (or something like that) per course for ARELLO approval and then get approval through the real estate commission.

So.. in general, there are much higher costs associated with acquiring and maintaining approval for online Appraisal courses than for Real Estate.

Also, there are a few Boards (both Appraisal & Real Estate) that require payment for each course completed and reported to them. I guess that's their way of keeping license renew fees lower for the individuals - they just pass the fee onto the providers. Then the providers must decide whether or not to pass the fee back to the licensees, so it's just a big vicious circle.

I hope that helps explain some of the differences. Thanks for listening.

Melissa Wilson
Mckissock, LP

 

[Farm Gal]

Thank you Melissa! Your time is appreciated!

Explanation makes a lot of sense to me. I know a few peopele who have developed courses and tried to get through just one or two states approval process... I can only imagine the headaches invovled in trying for all 50!

The cost increase seems a little out of what - but probably not too far.

 

[TC]

Melissa,

Any reason you don't offer Real estate CE and Appraisal CE that "double dip"? Most appraisers in PA have both licenses and it's nice to be able to take a 7 hour class that gives credit to both. The local AI chapter does it from time to time, it's always an incentive to take that kind of class.

TC

 

[Melissa Wilson]

2. If I take it under the real estate CE, is there any reason I couldn't use the hours for my appraisal licenses?

As for the second question, that varies by state. Some states will take a copy of your certificate, while others require a specific state format. Our certificates do include the provider and course approval numbers issued by the Appraisal Board or RE Commission, but again, some boards may accept just a copy of another board's certificate. I really is a question for your licensing board(s).

The other issue with this would be state rosters. We are required to issue electronic rosters of course completions in many states (with fees attached to some) and this is how the state knows that you have fulfilled your education requirements. Other states just require you to send them in with your renewal. If you do not request credit for the state and license type needed, then you would not be included on the roster.

If you have many licenses you need to satisfy, and would like to email me with your list of licenses, I will do a little research and tell you what your best bet would be based on your states.

 

[Melissa Wilson]

"Any reason you don't offer Real estate CE and Appraisal CE that "double dip"? Most appraisers in PA have both licenses and it's nice to be able to take a 7 hour class that gives credit to both. The local AI chapter does it from time to time, it's always an incentive to take that kind of class."

Hi TC!

Actually if you do a search for both appriasal and real estate continuing education in PA, you will see that all of our appraisal courses are approved for RE credit as well, so just request credit for the RE certificate for the ones you want to use for your RE education. Unfortunately, this doesn't always work in the opposite direction.

Hope that helps!