Frequently Asked Questions
Renewals
Q. What should I do to prepare for renewing my appraiser’s license?
A. Make sure to complete all 28 hours of continuing education, to include the most recent USPAP Update, before renewing. Also, be sure that you have claimed your free account in CE Broker (https://www.cebroker.com/sc/account/basic) BEFORE renewing your license on the LLR website. Your CE Broker account should show “Complete” if you have met all continuing education requirements for this renewal.
Q.I’m a non-resident licensee, do I have to report my continuing education to CE Broker?
A.NO, you do not have to report your continuing education to CE Broker, but you do have to claim your free account to claim an exemption. In CE Broker, click on the button to report CE and there is an option non-resident exemption. You can claim this exemption IF you have a license that is current and in good standing in your resident state.
Q. What should I expect after I submit my renewal online?
A. When renewing online, board staff will receive your online renewal the next day (or Monday if entered on Friday). The new pocket card will be printed and mailed. However, you can log in from online services and print a copy of your license if you need it prior to receiving the hardcopy by mail.
Q. I work in an office with several appraisers and our company will pay our renewal fees. What is the best way to do this?
A. The online renewal application process features a proxy payment link. This will enable the licensee to email a link to a third party (such as their employer) for payment. For privacy and security purposes, the third party will only have access to information such as name, license type and number and payment amount.
Q. What should I expect after I mail in a paper renewal form?
A. Once the paper renewal is received, the information will be verified and the renewal will be processed. The new pocket card will be printed and mailed, please allow 15 days for your new pocket cards to be received in the mail before calling board staff.
Q.What should I do if I have a disciplinary action against my appraiser license or any other license I hold (in this state or any other state)?
A. You must report disciplinary actions on your renewal. If the action has NOT already been reported and/or reviewed by board staff, you must answer “yes” to this question on the renewal and you will not be able to renew online. You will have to supply the information with a paper renewal form to include a check or money order for the renewal fee.
Q. What do I need to do if I want to place my license on inactive status?
A. If renewing online, you will be asked if you want to place your license on inactive status. The renewal system will charge the appropriate fee if you answer “yes” to this question.
Q. Can I renew if I have not quite completed my CE since I have already registered for the classes?
A. NO, you must complete all CE before renewing in an active status. If you have not completed your CE by June 30th, renew inactive and you can submit the paper active renewal form once the CE is complete. You can avoid the late fees, but you cannot practice until your license is back on active status.
Q.Will an audit be conducted on my license?
A.YES, we are now conducting a compliance audit on all licensees after renewals. CE Broker will assist in this audit. That is why it is very important to assure all your continuing education is reported to CE Broker. If you see a course that is not reported to CE Broker, contact your course provider first.
Q.Who do I contact if I have problems or questions with my renewal or I don’t receive my new pocket cards?
A.
Cory Griffin at cory.griffin@llr.sc.gov
Laura Smith at laura.smith@llr.sc.gov
or call (803) 896-4630.
General
Q. Does SC require a license to value real estate if I am licensed in another state?
A. Yes, anyone valuing real estate in SC must hold a valid license with this Board. Even if the appraisers assignment is for a desk review and requires an agreement or disagreement with the value.
Q. Are there any exceptions to being licensed?
A. Yes, real estate agents can conduct price opinions or market analysis as long as it is not referred to as an appraisal, concludes market value or prepared for lending purposes. Foresters can value timber without an appraiser’s license, but must be licensed to value land. Bank employees can complete evaluations for in-house loans that do not require an appraisal per federal guidelines, but cannot be performed by third parties outside the bank.
Q. How do I become an appraiser?
A. To begin the process for qualifying as an appraiser, you will have to start by taking the first 3 qualifying courses (QE1, 2 & 3) along with you and your supervisor completing a 4 hour Supervisor/Trainee course. Once you complete these courses you can apply for the apprentice license and you will have to work under a Certified appraiser for a minimum of 6-18 months depending which license you are upgrading to (see Licensure FAQs for further details). During this time you will take your remaining courses and gain your experience to upgrade to Licensed or Certified. The final step to upgrade will be a state exam.
Also review our SC Appraiser Classification, Criteria and Authorized Tasks SC Appraiser Classification. This document breaks down the requirements for the different types of appraiser licenses.
Q. Is a college degree required to become an appraiser?
A. There are college degree requirements for the Certified Residential and Certified General categories, but does not take the place of required appraiser courses. Mass appraiser designations do not require a degree, but do require all approved appraiser courses.
Q. How do I find courses for qualifying as an appraiser?
A. You can find the information on our Qualifying Education Course Calendar . This document supplies a list of the courses and the approved providers who offer the courses. You will have to contact the providers directly as to the cost of the courses.
Q. I have been working in an appraisal firm and would like to count the experience for upgrade now that I am apprentice. What experience counts for upgrade to Licensed or Certified appraisers?
A. Other experience prior to becoming an apprentice does not qualify towards experience credit. All experience must be logged while actively licensed by a state appraisal board.
Q. I work for a firm near the border of another state and my supervisor is licensed in both states. Can I claim experience from both states?
A. Yes, as long as you are properly licensed in both states. If you are an apprentice in SC, you must be licensed as an apprentice/trainee in the other state to claim experience.
Q. Does the Board require a background check for licensing?
A. The Real Estate Appraisers Board does not require a background check at this time. However, if you answer affirmative to the questions on an application, you must supply supporting documents and explanation. The Board will, in the near future, require background checks on all licensees.
Q. I want to teach an appraisal course. What are the requirements and how do I apply?
A. Qualifying courses require you to be licensed as an appraiser. Continuing education courses do not necessarily require you to be licensed as an appraiser, but you must have some documented instructor training. You can find the requirements for instructor and course approval under the Real Estate Appraisers Board’s laws and policies. You can also locate the required forms under applications and forms.
Q. Who can file a complaint against an appraiser or Appraisal Management Company and how is a complaint filed?
A. Anyone can file a complaint against an appraiser or Appraisal Management Company if there appears to be a violation of state laws or federal standards. The Real Estate Appraisers Board will not determine value or investigate complaints that are strictly value disputes. If an individual believes there are valid issues with the appraisal, a written complaint will be investigated. All complaints must be in writing, either through the Agency’s online complaint process or with a paper complaint form completed and mailed with supporting documents. A paper complaint form can be located under applications and forms.
Q. What can I expect when a complaint is filed against me?
A. Details about complaint process can be found here:
https://www.llr.sc.gov/AboutUs/MediaCenter/pidocs/ComplaintProcess.pdf