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Real Estate Appraiser
Governing Authority
Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission (TREAC), under Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI)
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.
2,500 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 college or university
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 Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission with required fees
Complete fingerprinting and background check
Gain required experience hours under a certified supervisory appraiser
Pass the appropriate national Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam
Receive license and register on ASC National Registry
Minimum Age
18 years old
Background Check
Fingerprinting and background check required as part of the application process.
Fingerprinting
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.
Per TREAC Rule 1255-01
Online courses: Allowed
Trainees gain experience under supervision — no experience required to become a trainee. Trainee registration expires 2 years after the date of issuance per Rule 1255-01. A Registered Trainee may have more than one supervisory appraiser. Background check via fingerprints through Identogo. There is no examination prerequisite for trainee registration.
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 AQB-compliant 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
2,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience over a period of no less than 24 months. TN exceeds AQB minimums for Licensed (AQB requires 1,000 hours/6 months).
Exam: Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam — Licensed Residential
Provider: AQB-approved testing provider
Passing score: Pass/fail as determined by AQB exam standards
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
2,500 hours of acceptable appraisal experience over a period of no less than 24 months. TN exceeds AQB minimums for Certified Residential (AQB requires 1,500 hours/12 months).
Exam: Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam — Certified Residential
Provider: AQB-approved testing provider
Passing score: Pass/fail as determined by AQB exam standards
Associate degree or higher from an accredited institution, or equivalent as determined by AQB
Tennessee 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 acceptable appraisal experience over a period of no less than 30 months, with at least 1,500 hours in non-residential appraisal work. TN exceeds AQB minimums for Certified General (AQB requires 18 months).
Exam: Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam — Certified General
Provider: AQB-approved testing provider
Passing score: Pass/fail as determined by AQB exam standards
Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
Tennessee 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 | $125 (Trainee registration application fee per Rule 1255-01) | — | $75 | — |
| Licensed Residential | $405 (combined application + license/certificate issuance fee per TN Department of Commerce and Insurance) | — | — | $40 |
| Certified Residential | $405 (combined application + certification issuance fee) | — | — | $40 |
| Certified General | $405 (combined application + certification issuance fee) | — | — | $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
2 years
USPAP Update
7-Hour USPAP Update required each cycle
Renewal Fee
$250
28 hours of CE every 2 years per renewal period. Must include 7-hour National USPAP Update Course. Maximum 7 hours of online/distance education CE per renewal period. Same course (substantially similar subject matter, even if renamed) can only be taken once every 5 years for CE credit; the USPAP course is exempted (may be taken once per 2-year cycle). All CE must be received by TREAC office 30 days prior to expiration date for on-time renewal. CE taken within the 30-day window beyond what is needed for current renewal may be held and credited toward next renewal period. Effective January 1, 2026: 7-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course required (4-hour every 2 years thereafter); per TREAC guidance, 15-hour USPAP course is NOT approved for CE substitution for the 7-hour Update.
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Tennessee may grant credentials to appraisers holding current credentials in other states, provided qualifications meet or exceed Tennessee requirements.
Temporary practice: Temporary practice permits are available for out-of-state appraisers to perform appraisal assignments in Tennessee on a limited basis.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Tennessee 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 Tennessee
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Unique to Tennessee
Tennessee's Real Estate Appraiser Commission operates under the Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI), which is somewhat unusual in that it combines commerce and insurance oversight. The state's rapidly growing real estate markets have increased demand for qualified appraisers.
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RE Appraiser requirements in Tennessee verified against Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission (TREAC), under Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI), April 2026.
All data verified as of 2026-04-30. Sources consulted:
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