Problem with Qualifying Education. it's not offered!

[tim midgards]

I am a Registered Trainee Appraiser who planned on attaining my state certification by the third quarter of this year. I planned out all my courses, expecting a few to be cancelled (which they were), and currently have one course left to complete.

The problem is that nobody seems to offer it in this state. Am I the only one who has noticed this? Nobody I've consulted about this seems to offer any viable solutions or have an understanding of this problem...


Here is the outline, hopefully someone can help:


According to the state of Florida and the AQB, the following courses are now required for state certification:

National USPAP Course (15 hr)
Residential Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use (15 hr)
Residential Site Valuation and Cost Approach (15 hr)
Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approach (30 hr)
Residential Report Writing and Case Studies (15 hr)
Statistics, Modeling and Finance (15 hr)
Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies (15 hr)
Appraisal subject matter electives to include minimum of three hours
covering the roles and rules of supervisor and trainee appraisers (20hr)

Total: 140 hours


Those requirements are clear with the hours (if you add that to initial education it totals 200). The names are clear as well, until you get into "appraisal subject matter electives."

Three of those hours are comprised of the new Trainee/Supervisor Roles course, but what about the other 17? Continuing Education, I have been told by the DBPR, does not count.

In Florida, I have found two schools that covered this under the name of "Mastering Unique & Complex Property Appraisals." The catch, however, is that they cancelled the courses. So in effect, it doesn't look like anyone else is offering them.

The only equivalent I have found is offered by the Appraisal Institute, albeit not in Florida. They have a magic course entitled "Advanced Residential Report Writing Pt. 2," which they coupled with "Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies." The catch here is that you have to take both courses concurrently and the next course is offered in St. Louis in July. You're not allowed to take just Part 2, even if you've completed "Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies" (which I have).


Could anyone offer any help? Is there an equivalent class being offered in Florida that I have overlooked? Is the AI class the only way to fulfill my requirements and be eligible to take the state exam?

I am running out of time here, I really can't wait past July, nor do I want to pay for a course twice and then wait a month for AI's results to be mailed...

Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

 

[tim midgards]

Come on, someone tell me I am not living in a twilight zone where no one else has this problem :|

It's the only thing keeping me from exam eligibility...

 

[George Ellerman]

Come on, someone tell me I am not living in a twilight zone where no one else has this problem :|

It's the only thing keeping me from exam eligibility...

Have you considered online education?
Hondros,McKissock and several others offer online courses.

Hondros-http://www.hondrosonline.com/about_us/overview.cfm
McKissock-http://www.mckissock.com/McKissock/Home/Default.aspx

 

[JTip]

I dont think you can use online classes for certification purposes, at least in my state.

Call Lincoln (800) 531-5333 see if they have anything available in Flordia.

 

[Don Clark]

The Appraisal Foundation essentially killed pre-licensure courses with the 2008 criteria. I have not taught a single pre-license course all year. Last year I was teaching an average of 2 per month.

Try the Columbia Institute in San Antonio, TX at 1-800-460-3147

 

[tim midgards]

Thanks for the replies.

George, according to the DBPR, Florida Appraisal Board, and instructors that I have checked with, I cannot use online continuing education to fulfill pre-licensing requirements. So, Jtip is right.

The Hondros books, however, have been used as the material for some of my courses.

Don -- Surely that cannot be the way to end this problem, I doubt the state will accept it as an excuse, although they should, if there are no eligible offerings.

I will try calling those two schools.


Aside: I can't help but wonder if I am the only one going for certification in my state with these new courses. Doesn't seem like anyone else I've consulted with is in tune with, or cares about the requirements for this process. This is turning out to be a very stressfull and costly ordeal. I put off starting a master's degree for this :/

 

[tim midgards]

P.S. I've called Mckissock before and they were very clear when they said that their courses do not count as pre-licencing education, even though their website would you lead you to believe otherwise.

 

[Dennis J. Black ASA IFAS]

Tim,

I will try enlighten you and the other readers. If you had completed your education prior to January 1, 2008 you would not have had to meet the new criteria. Florida law would have allowed you then unitil December 31, 2008 to finish your experience, submit your application, get approved and pass your exam.

Unfortunately you waited, thus you are stuck with the far more comprehensive education requirements. Considering the state of the profession many education providers have not bothered to go through the process of seeking approval and holding the new courses because it just does not make economic sense.

This is a reality and will change the landscape. The new criteria requires a real committment on the part of the trainee to make the leap forward.

 

[tim midgards]

I understand your point exactly, however, I did have my reasons for waiting, as you have your reasons for doing whatever you do in your life.

And regardless of the former, why should I be penalized for not taking the easy way? I was registered for all courses since January, numerous cancellations (which I counted on) and scheduling changes have led me to this point.

I understand the comprehensive education requirements, essentiatlly they are the same as before, just with different course names. The only problem is with that last course -- a course which no one offers.

What is frustrating here is that when I bring up the issue, not a single person can offer me a straight answer... nor do they seem to know of this issue at all, which in translates this process into wasted time and money.

It seems to me that the Appraisal Institute is the only available option; they claim to have approval for Florida QE, and I have now confirmed it with them, but I'll believe it when I get the credit.

Since you are willing to offer help here, do you think you could explain what "Florida Specific Materials" consist of? Apparently that is another requirement not outlined in the Florida rules.

 

[Couch Potato]

Likely you will just have to wait a year or so for there to be adequate demand in the market for the classes. Most people getting certified this year will not need the classes, so it is unlikely they will be offered until next year. The criteria is national, so your best bet may be traveling to another state. Courses offered by national providers will likely be accepted without the evaluation fee.