How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in Texas (2026)

Want to become a real estate appraiser in Texas? Appraisers play a critical role in every real estate transaction — providing unbiased property valuations that protect buyers, sellers, and lenders. Here is exactly what you need to do, step by step.

Appraiser licensing is federally standardized through the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB), with four credential tiers from Trainee to Certified General. Texas has requirements that exceed the federal minimums in some areas. For the complete requirements breakdown, see our Texas real estate appraiser license requirements page.

What Does a Real Estate Appraiser Do?

Real estate appraisers determine the fair market value of properties. Their work is essential for:

• Mortgage lending — lenders require appraisals before approving loans
• Property tax assessments
• Estate planning and divorce proceedings
• Insurance claims and litigation
• Investment analysis and portfolio management

Appraisers must be independent and impartial — their valuations protect all parties in a transaction. To perform appraisals for federally related transactions, you must hold a credential and be listed on the ASC National Registry.

Appraiser License Tiers in Texas

The AQB establishes four credential tiers. Each tier allows you to appraise different property types and requires progressively more education and experience:

Step 1: Meet Basic Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum age: 18 years old
• Background check: Required (fingerprinting required) — Applicants must satisfy TALCB as to honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity through a background history review. Fingerprints must be submitted to Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). A pre-application fitness determination is available for candidates with criminal or disciplinary history.
• USPAP: 15-hour National USPAP Course required for initial licensing. 7-hour USPAP Update Course required every 2 years for renewal.

Appraiser licensing in Texas is overseen by the Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (TALCB).

Step 2: Complete Qualifying Education

Start with the Trainee tier, which requires 83 hours of qualifying education. As you advance through tiers, you will need additional coursework — up to 300 hours for Certified General.

Trainee qualifying education typically includes:

• Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours)
• Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
• 15-Hour National USPAP or Equivalent (15 hours)
• Appraiser Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser Course (4 hours, Texas-specific)
• Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Regulations Course (8 hours, effective 1/1/2026)

Step 3: Find a Supervisory Appraiser

As a Trainee, you must work under a Certified Residential or Certified General appraiser. Your supervisor will guide your fieldwork and sign off on your appraisal reports while you accumulate the required experience hours.

• Maximum trainees per supervisor: 3 without a supervision plan; up to 5 with a submitted trainee supervision plan
• Supervisor requirements: Must hold a Certified Residential or Certified General license in good standing. Must complete the Board-approved Appraiser Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser (ATSA) course.
• Must work under a supervisory appraiser. Trainees may have more than one supervisor. Supervisor must provide active, personal, and diligent supervision.

Step 4: Gain Supervised Experience

Experience requirements increase with each tier. You must log hours under your supervisor's direction:

Note: For Certified General, at least 1,500 hours must be in non-residential appraisal work.

Step 5: Pass the Licensing Exam

Each tier (except Trainee in most states) requires passing a licensing exam. Exams are administered by Pearson VUE.

Passing score: Scaled score of 75 out of 110

Step 6: Apply for Your License

Submit your application to the Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (TALCB).

Fees by Tier

ASC National Registry fee: $40 annually — required for all federally related transactions.

How Long Does It Take?

Appraisers have the longest licensing path of any real estate profession due to the supervised experience requirement:

• Trainee: A few weeks (education only, no experience required)
• Licensed Residential: 6+ months (1,000 experience hours)
• Certified Residential: 12+ months (1,500 experience hours)
• Certified General: 18+ months (3,000 experience hours)

Continuing Education & Renewal

All appraiser credentials must be renewed on a regular cycle with continuing education:

• 28 hours of CE per 2 years
• 7-hour USPAP Update course required each renewal cycle
• Renewal fee: $250–$560 (varies by license level: Trainee $250, Licensed Residential $400, Certified Residential $460, Certified General $560)
• 28 hours of approved appraiser continuing education (ACE) during each 2-year license period. Must include a 7-hour National USPAP Update course and a 7-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course (effective 2026).

Career Progression

Most appraisers follow a clear progression through the tiers:

Texas-Specific Notes

• Texas requires 83 hours of qualifying education for trainees, exceeding the AQB minimum of 75 hours due to the 8-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Regulations course.
• Texas requires 158 hours for Licensed Residential, exceeding the AQB minimum of 150 hours.
• Texas requires college-level education for Licensed Residential appraisers (Bachelor's, Associate's, or 30 semester hours), which exceeds the AQB minimum that does not require a degree at this level.
• Texas offers PAREA (Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal) as an alternative to traditional supervised experience.
• Exam administered by Pearson VUE. Candidates have 3 attempts; failing 3 times requires 15 additional hours of qualifying education.
• Texas allows up to 5 trainees per supervisor, but supervisors with more than 3 must submit a supervision plan.
• Fee schedule effective December 15, 2025.
• Fee Schedule Effective December 15th, 2025

Texas Real Estate Appraiser: Quick Reference

For the complete, detailed requirements, visit our Texas real estate appraiser license requirements page.

Frequently Asked Questions