How to Earn or Upgrade Your New Jersey Appraiser License
If you want to know how to become an appraiser in New Jersey or upgrade an existing credential, learn the steps you need to take. And when you’re ready to start your qualifying education, Mckissock Learning provides the courses and support you need to succeed!

New Jersey Appraiser License: Trainee
How to become an appraiser in New Jersey
As a trainee, you can assess residential properties under the guidance of a Certified Appraiser Supervisor. Here are the steps you must take:
Step 1: Complete 75 hours of qualifying education plus the four-hour Supervisor-Trainee course.
Step 2: Find a licensed appraiser to guide you.
Step 3: Submit your application and background check.
What’s the Role of a New Jersey Real Estate Appraiser?
In New Jersey, real estate appraisers estimate the market value of a property, considering factors like size and condition as well as location and information about comparable properties.
New Jersey Trainee Appraiser (79 hours) – AQB recommended course order
- Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
- Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
- National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
- Supervisor/Trainee Course – 4 hours
Governing Agency
Good to Know: FAQs for how to become an appraiser in New Jersey
Should I get my New Jersey appraiser license?
Starting an appraisal business in New Jersey is affordable and low-risk, compared to other businesses. There’s always a steady demand for appraisers, especially for tasks like estate planning or divorce settlements. This gives you the freedom to manage your income and create a schedule that works for you.
How long does it take to become an appraiser in New Jersey?
Get going by completing 79 hours of the state-required education at your own pace, while you find a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser to act as your supervisor. You can handle both tasks together to make things easier. Once you’re done, just submit your application and go through a background check for approval.
McKissock offers livestreaming courses for interactive learning and self-paced options that you can access whenever they fit your schedule.
Helpful resources:
New Jersey Appraiser License: Licensed Residential
Total Hours Required: 150
Mandatory Hours: 150
Elective: 0
Becoming a Licensed Residential Appraiser in New Jersey
A Licensed Residential Appraiser in New Jersey may appraise:
- Non-complex 1-4 residential units with a transactional value of less than $1 million
- Complex 1-4 residential units with a transaction value less than $400,000
- Vacant or unimproved land with a transaction value of less than $1 million for which the highest and best use is for 1-4 family purposes
The following steps must be completed:
Step 1: 150 hours (an additional 75 hours to what you’ve earned as a trainee) of qualifying education plus the Supervisor-Trainee course.
Step 2: 1,000 hours of supervised appraisal experience in no less than six months.
Step 3: Pass the State Licensed Appraiser exam of the National Uniform Certification and Licensing Exam.
Step 4: Apply for your State Licensed Appraiser credential, including submitting proof of coursework completion and supervised experience.
New Jersey Licensed Residential Appraiser (154 hours) – AQB recommended course order
- Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
- Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
- National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
- Supervisor/Trainee Course – 4 hours
- Residential Market Analysis and Highest And Best Use – 15 hours
- Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach – 15 hours
- Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches – 30 hours
- Residential Report Writing and Case Studies – 15 hours
Frequently asked questions about your New Jersey appraisal license
Once I have my New Jersey appraiser license, then what?
After becoming a licensed or certified appraiser, you will need to maintain your credential with Continuing Education (CE). In New Jersey, this means you must take 28 hours of approved appraiser continuing education courses within your two-year license renewal period, including the 7-hour USPAP course.
New Jersey Appraiser License: Certified Residential
How to become a real estate appraiser in New Jersey: Certified Residential
In New Jersey, a Certified Residential Appraiser can evaluate any home with 1-4 units, no matter how complex or valuable. This also includes assessing empty land fit for 1-4 family use.
To become a Certified Residential Appraiser in New Jersey complete the following:
Step 1: 200 hours of required education (including trainee education).
Step 2: 1,500 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in a minimum of 12 months.
Step 3: Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified Residential Appraisers.
You must also meet one of the following college education criteria:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any field of study
- Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a focused field of study, such as economics or real estate
- Successfully complete 30 hours of college credit in specified topics
- Complete at least 30 semester units of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations that cover specified topics
- Any combination of college credit or CLEP credit in specified topics
New Jersey Certified Residential Appraiser (204 hours) – AQB recommended course order
- Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
- Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
- National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
- Supervisor/Trainee Course – 4 hours
- Residential Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use – 15 hours
- Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach – 15 hours
- Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches – 30 hours
- Residential Report Writing and Case Studies – 15 hours
- Statistics, Modeling or Finance – 15 hours
- Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies 15 hours
- Appraisal Subject Matter Electives 20 hours
Governing Agency
Good to Know – FAQs to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in New Jersey
Why become a Certified Residential Appraiser in New Jersey?
In New Jersey, Certified Residential Appraisers can assess properties with up to four units, regardless of their price or complexity. This opens up more job opportunities and more chances to earn income on your own time.
How much do residential appraisers earn in New Jersey?
Salary will depend on many factors, including location and experience, but the average residential appraiser in New Jersey earns between $56,000 and $76,5001.
New Jersey Appraiser License: Certified General
How to become a Certified General Appraiser in New Jersey
As a Certified General Appraiser in New Jersey, you’re free to appraise any type of property, from single-family homes to commercial spaces. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: Complete 300 hours of required education, including trainee education.
Step 2: Gain 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience within 18 months, with at least 1,500 hours in non-residential property.
Step 3: Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified General Appraisers.
Remember, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university to become a Certified General Appraiser in New Jersey.
New Jersey Certified General Appraiser (304 hours) – AQB recommended course order
- Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
- Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
- National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
- Supervisor/Trainee Course – 4 hours
- General Appraiser Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use – 30 hours
- Statistics, Modeling and Finance – 15 hours
- General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach – 30 hours
- General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach – 30 hours
- General Appraiser Income Approach – 60 hours
- General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies – 30 hours
- Appraisal Subject Matter Electives – 30 hours
Governing Agency
Good To Know- Frequently asked questions to become a Certified General Appraiser in New Jersey
Do I need a college degree to be a Certified General Appraiser?
Yes, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is necesary to become a Certified General Appraiser in North Carolina.
How much do Certified General Appraisers earn in New Jersey?
Certified General Appraisers’ median salary in New Jersey is around $99,0002.
Source: