Difference in Appraisal Licenses & Certifications

FCS Financial appraisers specialize in agriculture appraisal. Our appraisers have taken the time to receive additional education and licensing to provide our customers with accurate information. The differences in appraisal licenses and certificates can be confusing. This article strives to clarify some of the differences between the types of appraisal license and certifications, as well as what each can do.

There are three types of appraisal licenses/certifications.

1. State Licensed Appraiser


2. State Certified Residential Appraiser


3. State Certified General Appraiser

Each dictates the types of property that can legally be completed by the individual. Each license/certification requires a different level of education and training.

What can each license/certification appraise?

• State Licensed Appraiser:  One residential unit properties.


• State Certified Residential Appraiser:  Improved or vacant land for 1-4 family residential units, not real estate which is primarily for agricultural use.


• State Certified General:  All types of properties including but not limited to residential, commercial, and agricultural.

Education and Training Requirements

• State Licensed Appraiser:  150 classroom appraisal education hours and 2,000 supervised experience hours with another State Licensed, State Certified Residential, or State Certified General Appraiser.  Must pass state exam and have work samples reviewed by a commission.

• State Certified Residential Appraiser:  Earned an associate’s degree or higher, completed 200 classroom appraisal education hours and 2,500 supervised experience hours with a State Certified Residential or State Certified General Appraiser.  Must pass state exam and have work samples reviewed by a commission.

• State Certified General:  Earned a Bachelor of Science degree or higher, completed 300 classroom appraisal education hours and 3,000 supervised experience hours with another State Certified General Appraiser.  Must pass the state exam and have work samples reviewed by a commission.

All licensed or certified appraisers must meet minimum requirements for continuing education annually.

What makes an FCS Financial appraiser different?

All FCS Financial appraisers are State Certified General Appraisers. We do have registered trainees on staff but they are supervised by an approved State Certified General appraiser while they work towards their State Certified General certification.

Any appraiser conducting appraisals on agricultural property must be State Certified General. FCS Financial staff focuses primarily on agricultural appraisals so they are experts in their field. They cover a specific area and counties so they are often seen as the “go to” source for sales data and analysis within their area.

Our appraisers are part of our Risk Management Department and are subject to external reviews to insure that we meet quality standards. FCS Financial appraisers must follow Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and meet internal report requirements on each assignment.

FCS Financial appraisers go the extra mile to be experts in their field. This is part of our mission to help our member-customers make sound financial decisions.

To find an appraiser in your area, visit our Locations map or learn more about owning rural property in our 10 Points to Consider Before Purchasing Rural Property eBook.