Cart (0)

Your cart is currently empty.
All Products
Don't forget these...
2024 7-Hour Course Bundle – Digital
2024 7-Hour Course Bundle – Digital
Regular price $145.00
$145.00
View options
2024 7-Hour National Course Bundle – Print
2024 7-Hour National Course Bundle – Print
Regular price $145.00
$145.00
2024 15-Hour Course Bundle – Digital
2024 15-Hour Course Bundle – Digital
Regular price $155.00
$155.00
View options
2024 15-Hour National Course Bundle - Print
2024 15-Hour National Course Bundle - Print
Regular price $155.00
$155.00

This store requires javascript to be enabled for some features to work correctly.

  • About
    • LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE
      • Boards
      • Councils
      • Panels
      • Staff
    • ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
      • Who We Are
      • What We Do
      • How We Work
      • Partners
      • FAQs
  • Standards & Qualifications
    • HOW TO BECOME AN APPRAISER
      • Real Property Appraisal
      • Personal Property Appraisal
      • Business Valuation
      • Mass Appraisal
    • CRITERIA
      • PAREA®
      • Practicum
      • National Exam
      • Degree Review Program
    • USPAP®
    • Yellow Book
    • Courses
  • Resource Center
    • EXPLORE BY FOCUS
      • Practicing Appraisers
      • USPAP® Instructors & Course Providers
      • State Regulators
      • Consumers
    • RESOURCES & TOOLS
      • Lookup Tools
      • Podcast: Appraiser Talk
      • Brochures
      • Valuation Advisories and Briefs
    • OTHER
      • FAQs
      • Request a Speaker
  • Get Involved
    • Contact Us
    • Exposure Drafts
    • Join Us
    • Newsletter Signup
  • Store
    • BY CATEGORY
      • USPAP® and the Guidance and Reference Manual
      • 7-Hour Student Manuals
      • 15-Hour Student Manuals
      • Course Bundles
      • Course Approval Program (CAP)
    • GENERAL
      • All Products
      • Ordering Information & Policies
  • Events
  • News
    • Media Inquiries
    • Newsletters
    • Press Releases
  • Log in
The Appraisal Foundation
  • About
    • LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

      • Boards
      • Councils
      • Panels
      • Staff
    • ABOUT THE FOUNDATION

      • Who We Are
      • What We Do
      • How We Work
      • Partners
      • FAQs
  • Standards & Qualifications
    • HOW TO BECOME AN APPRAISER

      • Real Property Appraisal
      • Personal Property Appraisal
      • Business Valuation
      • Mass Appraisal
    • CRITERIA

      • PAREA®
      • Practicum
      • National Exam
      • Degree Review Program
    • USPAP®

    • Yellow Book

    • Courses

  • Resource Center
    • EXPLORE BY FOCUS

      • Practicing Appraisers
      • USPAP® Instructors & Course Providers
      • State Regulators
      • Consumers
    • RESOURCES & TOOLS

      • Lookup Tools
      • Podcast: Appraiser Talk
      • Brochures
      • Valuation Advisories and Briefs
    • OTHER

      • FAQs
      • Request a Speaker
  • Get Involved
    • Contact Us

    • Exposure Drafts

    • Join Us

    • Newsletter Signup

  • Store
    • BY CATEGORY

      • USPAP® and the Guidance and Reference Manual
      • 7-Hour Student Manuals
      • 15-Hour Student Manuals
      • Course Bundles
      • Course Approval Program (CAP)
    • GENERAL

      • All Products
      • Ordering Information & Policies
  • Events
  • News
    • Media Inquiries

    • Newsletters

    • Press Releases

  • 0
About
Standards & Qualifications
Resource Center
Get Involved
Store
Events
News
The Appraisal Foundation
Search 0 Cart

Criteria / Practicum

Practicum

A pathway for aspiring appraisers to fulfill experience requirements.

Overview

Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

A practicum is a structured course that allows aspiring appraisers to apply the knowledge gained in their qualifying education through supervised, real-world appraisal assignments. Practicum courses are designed to provide experience, not additional education, and serve as an alternative pathway to the traditional supervisor/trainee model and Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA®) for meeting appraisal experience.

The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) developed the practicum option to expand access to meaningful experience opportunities in a controlled and instructional setting.

A practicum course:

  • Counts as experience, not qualifying education
  • Is a structured and approved course 
  • Covers pre-approved content aligned with the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria (Criteria)
  • Results in the individual gaining experience credits for successfully completing the approved content
  • Must be delivered by a qualified instructor or instructional team

While the term “practicum” is not explicitly defined in the Criteria, the requirements and expectations for these courses are clearly outlined. In practice, an appraiser practicum is an approved course that provides experience credit by allowing participants to complete instructor-guided appraisal assignments that simulate actual practice.

Appraiser Qualifications Board Course Approval Program (CAP) →

Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria →

Practicum Course: Board-Issued Q&As →

Frequently Asked Questions

Practicum Courses and Earning Experience Hours

How does a practicum course differ from other ways to gain experience?

Appraiser candidates have three primary pathways to gain the experience hours required for licensure:

  1. Supervisor/Trainee Model: Work under the supervision of a certified appraiser.
  2. Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA®): Complete experience in a fully virtual, technology-based environment.
  3. Practicum Course: Participate in a structured, instructor-led course with pre-approved content.

    What makes the practicum format unique is that, although it counts as experience, it is delivered in a course format. Like qualifying education, practicum courses follow a defined schedule, are taught by qualified instructors, and often include multiple students progressing through the same assignments at the same time.
Where can I find an approved practicum course?

Because states vary in how they recognize practicum experience, you should contact your state appraiser regulatory agency to confirm whether a specific course is approved for use in your state.

Does a practicum course count toward experience hours?

Yes. According to the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria (Criteria):

Experience credit shall be granted for the actual classroom hours and hours of documented research and analysis as awarded through the practicum course approval process.

The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) permits practicum courses to count toward 100% of required experience hours. However, it is ultimately up to each individual state to decide whether to accept this option for experience credit toward licensure.

How many experience hours can I earn through a practicum course?

There is no fixed number of hours required for a practicum course. Each course provider sets the total number of hours when applying for course approval. The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) allows up to 100% of required experience hours to come from one or more practicum courses—as long as they are approved and meet the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria (Criteria).

Is the practicum course a new option?

No. Practicum courses have been an approved pathway to gain experience hours since 2008.

Developing & Approving a Practicum Course

Who approves a practicum course?

A practicum course may be approved in one of two ways:

  • Through the Appraiser Qualifications Board’s (AQB) Course Approval Program (CAP)
  • Directly by a state appraiser regulatory agency that chooses to approve practicum courses on its own

States have the option to:

  • Accept a CAP-approved practicum course as-is, or
  • Conduct their own approval process based on their individual requirements
What must a practicum course include to meet the Criteria?

To qualify for experience credit under the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria (Criteria), a practicum course must:

  • Be designed around generally applicable appraisal methods for the intended credential level (e.g., Licensed or Certified Residential)
  • Include problem-solving assignments covering a variety of property types relevant to that credential level

The course must also require students to:

  • Produce credible appraisals using an actual subject property
  • Conduct market research and sales analysis
  • Apply and report applicable appraisal approaches in compliance with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP®)
Is there additional guidance for course developers?

Yes. The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) has published Guide Note 4 (GN-4) to assist:

  • Course developers in designing practicum offerings
  • State agencies in reviewing and approving practicum courses

GN-4 is available in the Criteria booklet. 

Do I need both AQB and state approval?

A practicum course can be submitted for approval to:

  • A state appraiser regulatory agency,
  • The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) through the Course Approval Program (CAP), or
  • Both, depending on your goals and the requirements of the state(s) where the course will be offered.
What is the AQB approval process through CAP?

To seek AQB approval:

  1. Review the CAP Policies and Procedures, especially Section 13: Practicum Course Approval.
  2. Follow the Practicum Submission Instructions.
  3. Submit the required Practicum Submission Documents, ensuring all practicum-specific content and policies are included.
  4. Once received, AQB reviewers will estimate the review timeline and issue an invoice.
  5. Upon approval, a CAP approval letter will be issued.
Will a CAP-approved practicum be accepted by all states?

Not necessarily. While the Course Approval Program approval confirms a course meets Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) qualifications, each state decides whether to accept the course for experience credit. Contact the relevant state agency before developing or offering a practicum course.

Related Content

How to Become an Appraiser

How to Become an Appraiser

Learn More
PAREA®

PAREA®

About PAREA®
Learn More

Learn More

Learn More

Authorized by Congress as the Source of Appraisal Standards and Appraiser Qualifications

The Foundation
  • Who We Are
  • What We Do
  • How We Work
Resources
  • Become an Appraiser
  • USPAP®
  • Courses
Get Involved
  • Exposure Drafts
  • Events
Store
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Contact Us

1155 15th Street NW, Suite 1111, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone: 202-347-7722

  • Copyright ©2021-2025, The Appraisal Foundation®
  • Data Privacy Policy

Stay up-to-date

with monthly emailed news from
The Appraisal Foundation®!

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.