Trainee Signing The Report

[Henry Frank]

Hi people.
I was wondering. I recently hired a new trainee and at times I do the inspection and tell her to do a market analysis, fill out the legal stuff etc., and when I get back I remove some stuff, I add in some (most) stuff, explaining to her why one comp is acceptable while the other is not. The usual learning-the-ropes process.
My question is this: she wants to sign all reports that she was in any way involved in. Is there any minimum criteria required for her to be able to put her signature on? Does she need to do the inspection as well? WHAT? Thanks!

 

[Kate]

I do not believe there is a minimum to allow the trainee sign. I couldn't find anything in USPAP. I did find this though, look at the last sentence. For more look at ADVISORY OPINION 5 (AO-5). And I'm sure someone else will weigh in.

If the principal appraiser signs the certification alone, the contribution of the assistant must be acknowledged (Standards Rule 2-3, 6-8, 8-3, and 10-3), and the specific tasks performed by the assistant should be clearly stated as part of the scope of work disclosure required in Standards Rule 2-2(a)(vii), (B)(vii), or ©(vii); 6-7(j), Standards Rule 8-2(a)(vii), (B)(vii), or ©(vii), or Standards Rule 10-2(a)(vii), or (B)(vii); as applicable. If both the assistant and the principal appraiser sign the certification, the principal must accept full responsibility for all aspects of the appraisal process as evidenced by the contents of the report (See the Comment to Standards Rules 2-3, 6-8, 8-3, and 10-3, as applicable). In no circumstance is it appropriate for the principal appraiser to merely sign the certification in an appraisal report prepared by an assistant.

*****There's those cool faces in USPAP again. USPAP is so cool it's got secret codes in it for cool. :rofl:

 

[Steve Owen]

She wants to sign because the appraisal commission or board will then assume she did all the work and give her the maximum number of hours towards her certification or license. A better way to handle a new trainee would be to describe exactly what she did towards completing the assignment. I used to add a comment like:

"The appraiser had substantial assistance in completing the appraisal. (Assisiant's Name) helped measure the house, did initial comparable sale selection, determined land value, did the cost approach, and made initial adjustments in the sales comparison grid." (Change the comment, as needed, depending on what she does.)

IMHO she should not sign the report unless she is doing basically the whole job herself. When she gets to that point, you should still check over every line because you are entirely responsible.

 

[Chris Colston]

In my opinion...for whatever that might be worth.....the trainee should only sign when they have developed the final value opinion.

Otherwise "significant assistance" was provided that allowed YOU to develop the value opinion.

 

[JTip]

In PA, there is a form that goes with every appraisal that the assistant helps with. This form has 15 sections that goes from setting up the file with all the forms to packaging the final report. My boss just checks each element that I did or helped with. Then I sign on the left, he signs on the right. Only 997 more to go....

Hope I helped........

Shane Tipton

 

[Kate]

Shane what form is that? I would be interested in looking at it.

And Steve, I think, but I could be wrong, that the trainee can still claim some hours if their name is somewhere on the report regardless if they sign it. But I would imagine that would depend on the state. Technically we are not supposed to claim the FULL amount of time allotted for each appraisal anyway.

 

[wyecoyote]

Depends on your state. When I started for WA assignments I was mentioned in the report on what I did that was acceptable by the state. OR at that time had the pres of the board state that no trainiee can sign a form report. Because in her opinion it was misleading in that there was no trainiee number so if one put the trainiee number in the lic or cert line that was misleading. Additionaly at that time I belive OR did not recognise the deminumus. So based upon that I would say it depends on the state and how they want it done.

 

[Liz Mura]

In AZ there are no "trainee licenses" issued. They can start the experience training with a mentor at any time, the education hours at any time. Therefore, the trainee never signs the report, ONLY the certified appraiser. However, the usual blurb is included in each appraisal stating that the trainee contributed to whichever stage of the report (research, inspection, analysis, write-up, conclusion, etc) and a log is kept of the hours on each.

 

[Tawfik Ahdab]

In Oregon, only a licensed or certified appraiser may sign a report. The trainee may not sign anywhere anytime, until licensed or certified.

Naturally, that relegates the trainee's contribution to a description of the tasks performed.

 

[JTip]

Hi Kate,

I tried to find a copy on the website but that is the only one they don't have on there (of course).
I would be more than happy to fax it to you. Just pm or aolim me.
Pa is nice. All you have to do is call the board and give them your name and address and in 3 days you have a complete pack filled with all the forms and log book stuff you will need for your assistant training.

Shane Tipton