Loading...
Loading...
Real Estate Appraiser
Some details on this page are not yet confirmed against an official source. See sources below or contact the licensing board to verify.
83 hrs
TRAINEE ED.
158 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 only appraise properties that the supervisory appraiser is permitted to appraise and only under direct supervision.
Degree: No college degree required by AQB at this level; however, Texas requires one of: Bachelor's degree in any field, Associate's degree in Business/Accounting/Finance/Economics/Real Estate, or 30 semester hours in specified subjects
Scope: Non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with a transaction value less than $1,000,000. Certain vacant land intended for single-to-four family residential use.
Degree: One of: Bachelor's degree in any field, Associate's degree in Business/Accounting/Finance/Economics/Real Estate, 30 semester hours in specified subjects, CLEP exam equivalents, or no college for Licensed Residential appraisers with 5+ years experience and clean record
Scope: 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to transaction value or complexity. Vacant land intended for single-to-four family residential use. May not independently appraise subdivisions but may associate with a Certified General appraiser for non-residential work.
Degree: Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution
Scope: All types of real property without regard to complexity or transaction value, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties.
Complete required qualifying education (83–300 hours depending on tier)
Complete the Appraiser Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser (ATSA) course (4 hours)
Submit fingerprints to Texas DPS for background check
Submit application to TALCB online or by mail with required fees
Gain required experience hours under a supervisory appraiser (or via PAREA)
Receive exam clearance from TALCB after meeting education and experience requirements
Schedule and pass the national exam through Pearson VUE
Receive license and register on ASC National Registry
Minimum Age
18 years old
Background Check
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.
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.
Texas uses the term 'Appraiser Trainee' rather than 'Trainee Appraiser'
All qualifying education must be completed within the 5-year period immediately preceding the date of application.
Online courses: Allowed
Trainees gain experience under supervision — no experience required to become a trainee. TX allows up to 5 trainees per supervisor; supervising more than 3 requires submission of a supervision plan. Supervisor must complete an approved Appraiser Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser course every 4 years (within 4 years before current expiration date) to continue supervising. Trainee/Supervisor relationships terminate if supervisor doesn't complete course on time.
No exam required at this level
Must work under a supervisory appraiser. Trainees may have more than one supervisor. Supervisor must provide active, personal, and diligent supervision.
Max trainees per supervisor: 3 without a supervision plan; up to 5 with a submitted trainee supervision plan
Must hold a Certified Residential or Certified General license in good standing. Must complete the Board-approved Appraiser Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser (ATSA) course.
May only appraise properties that the supervisory appraiser is permitted to appraise and only under direct supervision.
Online courses: Allowed
1,000 hours of acceptable and verifiable appraisal experience acquired over a minimum of 6 months. Alternatively, may complete an AQB-approved Licensed Residential PAREA training module. TX also accepts approved Practicum Courses per §153.42 and §153.43 (effective November 2025), separate from PAREA. Practicum Courses are AQB-approved or TALCB-approved courses that count toward experience hours under Chapter 1103.
Exam: National Licensed Residential Real Property Exam
Provider: Pearson VUE
Passing score: Scaled score of 75 out of 110
Questions: 125
Time limit: 4 hours
Fee: $55
15 of the 125 questions are unscored pilot questions. Passing score valid for 24 months. Three failed attempts require 15 additional hours of qualifying education before reapplication.
No college degree required by AQB at this level; however, Texas requires one of: Bachelor's degree in any field, Associate's degree in Business/Accounting/Finance/Economics/Real Estate, or 30 semester hours in specified subjects
Texas exceeds the AQB minimum by requiring college-level education for Licensed Residential, which AQB does not mandate at this tier
Non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with a transaction value less than $1,000,000. Certain vacant land intended for single-to-four family residential use.
Online courses: Allowed
1,500 hours of verifiable appraisal experience over a minimum of 12 months. Alternative pathways available via PAREA: Licensed Residential PAREA + 500 hours over 6 months, or Certified Residential PAREA + reduced hours.
Exam: National Certified Residential Real Property Exam
Provider: Pearson VUE
Passing score: Scaled score of 75 out of 110
Questions: 125
Time limit: 4 hours
Fee: $55
Passing score valid for 24 months. Three failed attempts require additional qualifying education before reapplication.
One of: Bachelor's degree in any field, Associate's degree in Business/Accounting/Finance/Economics/Real Estate, 30 semester hours in specified subjects, CLEP exam equivalents, or no college for Licensed Residential appraisers with 5+ years experience and clean record
Texas offers multiple pathways including an experience-based waiver for Licensed Residential holders with 5+ years
1-4 unit residential properties without regard to transaction value or complexity. Vacant land intended for single-to-four family residential use. May not independently appraise subdivisions but may associate with a Certified General appraiser for non-residential work.
Online courses: Allowed
1,500 hours must be in non-residential appraisal work
3,000 hours over a minimum of 18 months, with at least 1,500 hours in non-residential appraisal. Alternative PAREA pathways available: Licensed Residential PAREA + 2,000 hours (1,500 non-residential) over 12 months, or Certified Residential PAREA + 1,500 non-residential hours over 6 months.
Exam: National Certified General Real Property Exam
Provider: Pearson VUE
Passing score: Scaled score of 75 out of 110
Questions: 125
Time limit: 6 hours
Fee: $55
Passing score valid for 24 months. Three failed attempts require additional qualifying education before reapplication.
Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution
Matches AQB minimum requirement for Certified General
All types of real property without regard to complexity or transaction value, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties.
Use code LicenseMap35 for 35% off at checkout
| Tier | Application | Exam | Background | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee | $250 ($258 total including $8 Texas Online Fee. No federal registry fee for Trainee tier.) | — | — | — |
| Licensed Residential | $400 ($490 total including $80 federal registry fee + $10 Texas Online Fee per fee schedule effective December 15, 2025) | $55 | — | $80 |
| Certified Residential | $460 ($550 total including $80 federal registry fee + $10 Texas Online Fee per fee schedule effective December 15, 2025) | $55 | — | $80 |
| Certified General | $560 ($650 total including $80 federal registry fee + $10 Texas Online Fee per fee schedule effective December 15, 2025) | $55 | — | $80 |
The National Registry fee ($40/year) is paid to the federal Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) and applies to all appraisers performing federally-related transactions.
Calculate your licensing ROI →
See how quickly your license investment pays for itself.
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
Trainee $258 ($250 + $8 Texas Online Fee); Licensed Residential $490 ($400 + $80 federal + $10 online); Certified Residential $550 ($460 + $80 federal + $10 online); Certified General $650 ($560 + $80 federal + $10 online). Per TALCB fee schedule effective December 15, 2025.
28 hours of Approved Continuing Education (ACE) per 2-year license period. Must include 7-hour National USPAP Update Course AND 7-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course (effective for licenses expiring January 2026 or later, regardless of when renewal is filed). Approved Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser course required every 4 years before current expiration date. After taking the initial 7-hour Valuation Bias course, subsequent renewals require a 4-hour version. Required education must be completed during the term of the license being renewed; hours cannot be carried over. Same course cannot be repeated within the CE cycle. Late renewal: late fee within 90 days of expiration ($200/$230/$280 depending on tier — 50% of base fee); additional late fee 91-180 days (doubles late fee). License may be renewed up to 6 months after expiration; after 6 months, reinstatement required.
Find approved RE Appraiser pre-licensing courses at The CE Shop →(affiliate link)See our discount
Use code LicenseMap35 for 35% off at checkout
Appraisers licensed in another state may register with TALCB for temporary practice in Texas if their home state program has not been disapproved by the ASC. Business in Texas must be of a temporary nature not to exceed six months.
Temporary practice: Available for out-of-state licensed appraisers. Valid for up to 6 months for temporary assignments. Extensions available if continuing the same assignment. Fingerprint requirements waived for temporary registrants.
Moving to another state? Use our Transfer Tool to see what you need →
Compare Texas 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 performing federally related transactions must be listed on the ASC National Registry. Texas collects an $80 Federal Registry Fee with the application.
Real Estate Appraiser Schools in Texas
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
Complete your qualifying education and continuing education from approved providers.
We may earn a commission if you enroll through links on our site. This does not affect our recommendations or the price you pay.
Unique to Texas
Texas exceeds AQB minimums in education for both the Trainee (83 vs 75 hours) and Licensed Residential (158 vs 150 hours) tiers due to the mandatory 8-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Regulations course. Texas also requires college-level education at the Licensed Residential tier, which exceeds the AQB standard. The TALCB collects an $80 Federal Registry Fee bundled with applications, which is higher than the standard $40 annual ASC fee.
Study guides for the real estate appraiser licensing exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Already a licensed real estate agent? Many appraisers start as agents. Compare Texas real estate agent requirements →
Not sure this is the right career? Take a 2-minute quiz →
Answer 6 quick questions and we'll match you with the best-fit licensed profession.
Official Sources
RE Appraiser requirements in Texas verified against Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (TALCB), April 2026.
All data verified as of 2026-04-30. Sources consulted:
See full CE requirements in Texas.
See CE requirements in Texas →GetLicenseMap.com has an advertising relationship with The CE Shop. Clicking links may result in GetLicenseMap.com receiving a commission. This does not affect the price you pay.