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How to become a real estate appraiser in Rhode Island. Trainee: 75 hrs education. Licensed Residential: 150 hrs + 1,000 hrs experience. All four tiers documented with fees, exams, and AQB comparison. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Appraiser
Governing Authority
Rhode Island Real Estate Appraisers Board (under Department of Business Regulation)
Official website →Some information on this page has not been fully verified.
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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 assist in appraisals under direct supervision. Cannot independently sign appraisal reports.
Degree: None required
Scope: Appraisal of non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 residential properties under $400,000.
Degree: Associate degree or higher, or equivalent CLEP/college coursework
Scope: Appraisal of 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to transaction value or complexity.
Degree: Bachelor's degree or higher required
Scope: Appraisal of all types of real property without restriction on value or complexity, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential.
Must also complete a 4-hour Supervisor/Trainee Course (not counted toward QE hours in some sources).
Online courses: Allowed
No experience required to obtain trainee license. Trainees gain experience under supervision.
No exam required at this level
Must work under direct supervision of a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser licensed in Rhode Island.
Max trainees per supervisor: 3
Must hold a Certified Residential or Certified General credential in good standing.
May assist in appraisals under direct supervision. Cannot independently sign appraisal reports.
Online courses: Allowed
1,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no fewer than 6 months.
Exam: National Uniform Licensing Exam - Licensed Residential
Provider: Pearson VUE
Passing score: 75%
Fee: $125
None required
No college degree required at this level
Appraisal of non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 residential properties under $400,000.
Online courses: Allowed
1,500 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no fewer than 12 months.
Exam: National Uniform Certification Exam - Certified Residential
Provider: Pearson VUE
Passing score: 75%
Fee: $125
Associate degree or higher, or equivalent CLEP/college coursework
Bachelor's degree, Associate degree, or 30 semester hours of CLEP college-level courses accepted
Appraisal of 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to transaction value or complexity.
Online courses: Allowed
1,500 hours must be in non-residential appraisal work
3,000 hours over at least 18 months, with minimum 1,500 hours in non-residential appraisal work.
Exam: National Uniform Certification Exam - Certified General
Provider: Pearson VUE
Passing score: 75%
Fee: $125
Bachelor's degree or higher required
Must be from an accredited college or university
Appraisal of all types of real property without restriction on value or complexity, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Background Check
Criminal background check required for all applicants. Must disclose any criminal convictions.
Fingerprinting
Required
USPAP Requirement
15-Hour National USPAP Course required as part of qualifying education. 7-Hour USPAP Update Course required every 2 years for renewal.
| Tier | Application | Exam | Background | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee | $200 | — | — | — |
| Licensed Residential | $200 | $125 | — | $40 |
| Certified Residential | $200 | $125 | — | $40 |
| Certified General | $200 | $125 | — | $40 |
The National Registry fee ($40/year) is paid to the federal Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) and applies to all appraisers performing federally-related transactions.
Complete 75 hours of AQB-approved qualifying education
Complete 4-hour Supervisor/Trainee Course
Submit Trainee Appraiser application with fee via online portal or paper
Pass criminal background check
Find a certified appraiser willing to serve as supervisor
Obtain Trainee credential and begin accumulating experience under supervision
Complete additional education for desired license/certification level
Pass the National Uniform Licensing/Certification Examination
Submit upgrade application with experience documentation and fee
Register with ASC National Registry
CE Hours Per Cycle
28 hours
(AQB minimum: 28 hrs)
Renewal Cycle
2 years
USPAP Update
7-Hour USPAP Update required each cycle
Renewal Fee
$195
Rhode Island recognizes credentials from other states under FIRREA Title XI. Out-of-state appraisers with equivalent credentials may apply for RI licensure.
Temporary practice: Temporary practice permits may be available for out-of-state appraisers.
Important: Federal Requirement for Appraisers
All licensed and certified appraisers performing federally related transactions must be listed on the ASC National Registry.
Unique to Rhode Island
Rhode Island follows AQB minimums closely at all tiers without significant state-specific additions. The state requires both an online portal and paper application options, and the $200 flat fee structure across tiers is straightforward.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Rhode Island.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#7 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate (SOC 13-2023)
Entry Level
$59,960
25th percentile
Median
$80,460
+23% vs. national avg ($65,420)Experienced
$115,400
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
130 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate" includes both appraisers and assessors. Tax assessors and other non-appraisal roles are included in this figure.
Source: BLS OEWS – Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate (May 2024)
Real Estate Career Ladder+45% salary growth potential
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
You are here
Real Estate Appraiser
$80,460
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$55,460
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
You are here
Real Estate Appraiser
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$80,460
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Estimated total: 60–166 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
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Already a licensed real estate agent? Many appraisers start as agents. Compare Rhode Island real estate agent requirements →