The Appraisal Foundation® (the Foundation) is not a government agency. It is a nonprofit organization formed by a group of appraisal membership organizations in the wake of the Savings and Loan Crisis of the 1980s. The Foundation was authorized by Co

The Appraisal Foundation&#xAE; (the Foundation) is not a government agency. It is a nonprofit organization formed by a group of appraisal membership organizations in the wake of the Savings and Loan Crisis of the 1980s. The Foundation was authorized by Congress in 1989 under Title XI of Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) to maintain standards and minimum qualifications for the real property appraisal profession. Congress granted this congressional authority because it wanted to emphasize appraiser independence in the wake of the Savings and Loan Crisis. The Foundation was established to provide private sector expertise that would not be swayed by political winds or changing administrations.

Is the Foundation a government agency?

At the time Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) was enacted into law, Congress was aware The Appraisal Foundation® (the Foundation) was charging for Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP®) and u

At the time Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) was enacted into law, Congress was aware The Appraisal Foundation&#xAE; (the Foundation) was charging for Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP&#xAE;) and understood that publication revenue is a major source of income. The Foundation uses this revenue to carry out its congressionally authorized duties given the Foundation does not have any congressional appropriation.

Does the Foundation receive direct federal funding through congressional appropriation?

No, The Appraisal Foundation® (the Foundation) is not a membership organization. Its stakeholders range from appraisers to consumers to regulators. As a 501(c)(3) organization and as an organization authorized by Congress to maintain standards and qu

No, The Appraisal Foundation&#xAE; (the Foundation) is not a membership organization. Its stakeholders range from appraisers to consumers to regulators. As a 501(c)(3) organization and as an organization authorized by Congress to maintain standards and qualifications, the Foundation does not lobby or advocate. The organization is a resource for federal and state government officials. You can see a full list of federal organizations that have asked the Foundation to assist in a wide range of projects relating to appraisal services here. In 2013, the Obama-Biden Administration also named the Foundation the White House&apos;s Valuation Resource.

Does the Foundation advocate on behalf of appraisers?

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Appraisal Foundation Home

The Appraisal Foundation

About The Appraisal Foundation®

Do the Foundation’s boards take input from the public or regulators when developing the standards and qualifications?

Do the boards use subject matter experts when making decisions regarding the standards and qualifications?

What is the difference between the Foundation’s 3 Boards?

Does the Board of Trustees direct what changes are made to the standards and qualifications?

About the Boards

How do I become an appraiser?

How can I find a supervisor?

Can states exceed the qualification criteria set by the AQB?

Aspiring Appraisers

Where can I find an appraiser?

How can I file a complaint against an appraiser?

What is the difference between the 7-hour and 15-hour USPAP® courses?

Consumers of Appraisal Services

Is the new Fair Housing and Valuation Bias Course in the 2026 Criteria still going to be required?

Where can I find and take courses to become an appraiser or maintain my credential/designation?

What materials/books do I need for USPAP® courses?

How do I file a complaint against a USPAP® Instructor?

Courses

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

Where can I find an approved practicum course?

Does a practicum course count toward experience hours?

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

Are practicum courses a new option?

Who approves a practicum course?

What must a practicum course include to meet the Criteria?

Is there additional guidance for course developers?

Do I need both AQB and state approval?

What is the AQB approval process through CAP?

Will a CAP-approved practicum be accepted by all states?

Practicum

Is USPAP® required for all types of appraisers?

Do PAREA® participants also need to follow USPAP®?

Does USPAP® control how appraisal reporting forms are developed and written, what they say, or how they should be used?

USPAP®

How much does the Instructor Certification Course (ICC) cost?

I have registered for the ICC. How do I obtain the Instructor ICC material?

What is the Foundation's ICC cancellation policy?

What if I am a business or personal property appraiser, can I apply to the program?

When will the ICC be offered?

After Attending the Instructor Certification Course

USPAP® Instructor Certification

Who do I contact about shipping and returns questions?

I accidentally entered the wrong shipping address. What do I do?

I never received my order, but the tracking details show that it was delivered. What can I do?

What if my organization is tax exempt, can that status be applied to our orders?

I ordered the wrong digital version. Can I return or exchange it?

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