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Real Estate Appraiser
Governing Authority
Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers (under DPL)
Official website →Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
75 hrs
TRAINEE ED.
150 hrs
LICENSED RES. ED.
1,500 hrs
CERT. RES. EXP.
3,000 hrs
CERT. GEN. EXP.
Real estate appraiser licensing follows a tiered path. Each level builds on the previous one with additional education and experience.
Scope: May appraise only those properties that the supervisory appraiser is permitted to appraise. Must work under direct supervision at all times.
Degree: No college degree required
Scope: Non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction value up to $1,000,000. Complex 1-4 unit residential properties up to $250,000. Non-residential properties with transaction value up to $250,000.
Degree: Associate degree or higher from an accredited institution, or equivalent as determined by AQB
Scope: All 1-4 unit residential properties regardless of value or complexity. Non-residential properties with transaction value up to $250,000.
Degree: Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution
Scope: All types of real property regardless of value or complexity, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties.
Complete required qualifying education (75-300 hours depending on tier)
Submit application to the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers with required fees
Complete background check
Gain required experience hours under a certified supervisory appraiser
Pass the national Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam
Receive license and register on ASC National Registry
Minimum Age
18 years old
Background Check
Background check required as part of the application process.
Fingerprinting
Not required
USPAP Requirement
15-hour National USPAP Course required for initial licensing. 7-hour USPAP Update Course required every 2 years for renewal.
Not sure if you need a appraiser license? Check whether your state requires one.
Online courses: Allowed
Trainees gain experience under supervision — no experience required to become a trainee
No exam required at this level
Must work under a certified supervisory appraiser. Supervisor must directly supervise trainee on each appraisal assignment. Supervisor must review and sign all trainee reports.
Max trainees per supervisor: 3
Must hold a certified license (Certified Residential or Certified General) in good standing. Must complete a Supervisory Appraiser/Trainee Appraiser course.
May appraise only those properties that the supervisory appraiser is permitted to appraise. Must work under direct supervision at all times.
Online courses: Allowed
1,000 hours of appraisal experience obtained over a minimum of 6 months.
Exam: Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam — Licensed Residential
Provider: Prometric or PSI
Fee: $100
No college degree required
AQB does not require a degree at this level
Non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction value up to $1,000,000. Complex 1-4 unit residential properties up to $250,000. Non-residential properties with transaction value up to $250,000.
Online courses: Allowed
1,500 hours of appraisal experience obtained over a minimum of 12 months.
Exam: Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam — Certified Residential
Provider: Prometric or PSI
Fee: $100
Associate degree or higher from an accredited institution, or equivalent as determined by AQB
Massachusetts follows AQB minimum: Associate degree for Certified Residential
All 1-4 unit residential properties regardless of value or complexity. Non-residential properties with transaction value up to $250,000.
Online courses: Allowed
1,500 hours must be in non-residential appraisal work
3,000 hours of appraisal experience obtained over a minimum of 18 months, with at least 1,500 hours in non-residential appraisal work.
Exam: Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam — Certified General
Provider: Prometric or PSI
Fee: $100
Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution
Massachusetts follows AQB minimum: Bachelor's degree for Certified General
All types of real property regardless of value or complexity, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties.
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| Tier | Application | Exam | Background | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee | $113 | — | $50–$75 | — |
| Licensed Residential | $350 (biennial) | $100 | — | $40 |
| Certified Residential | $350 (biennial) | $100 | — | $40 |
| Certified General | $350 (biennial) | $100 | — | $40 |
The National Registry fee ($40/year) is paid to the federal Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) and applies to all appraisers performing federally-related transactions.
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CE Hours Per Cycle
28 hours
(AQB minimum: 28 hrs)
Renewal Cycle
Biennial, birthday-based. License renews on registrant's birthday every 2 years. Trainees may renew up to 4 times (max 4 biennial periods) after original date of issuance.
USPAP Update
7-Hour USPAP Update required each cycle
Renewal Fee
$350 (Licensed/Certified) / $113 (Trainee)
Minimum 28 hours of Board-approved CE every 2 years, including 7-hour USPAP Update Course for each new edition of USPAP. Certified Residential: not more than 7 hours of courses designated as 'elective' may be credited toward renewal. Certified General: at least 14 hours must be in non-residential courses. Late renewal fee: $57 in addition to renewal fee. Effective January 1, 2026, the AQB Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course is required (7 hours first completion, 4 hours every 2 years thereafter).
Compare top-rated appraiser education providers in Massachusetts.
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Massachusetts allows out-of-state appraisers to practice via temporary practice permits. Appraisers must hold a valid credential in their home state.
Temporary practice: Temporary Practice Permits are available for out-of-state appraisers who hold a valid license or certification in their home state.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Massachusetts with other states →
See how requirements, costs, and timelines differ across all 50 states.
Important: Federal Requirement for Appraisers
All state-licensed and state-certified appraisers who perform appraisals in connection with federally related transactions must be listed on the ASC National Registry.
Real Estate Appraiser Schools in Massachusetts
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Unique to Massachusetts
Massachusetts follows AQB minimums for all tiers. The state's high property values, particularly in Greater Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard, create strong demand for experienced residential appraisers. The diverse housing stock (including historic properties) presents unique appraisal considerations.
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Already a licensed real estate agent? Many appraisers start as agents. Compare Massachusetts real estate agent requirements →
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Official Sources
RE Appraiser requirements in Massachusetts verified against Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers (under DPL), April 2026.
All data verified as of 2026-04-30. Sources consulted:
See full CE requirements in Massachusetts.
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