How to Become an Appraiser in Florida

Becoming a real estate appraiser is a great option, especially if you want to operate your own business, have a flexible schedule, and earn a reliable income. But you probably have questions about how to get started. To help you get on the path to your new career, we’re walking you through how to become an appraiser in Florida.

Want more information on becoming a real estate appraiser? Explore our free career guide.

What does a real estate appraiser in Florida do?

Real estate appraisers determine the fair market value of a property. This service is typically needed when a buyer has put in an offer on a property and the mortgage company wants to verify that the property is worth at least what the seller is asking. However, people also need an appraisal to determine a property’s value when they want to refinance or get a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or during a divorce or estate planning.

The appraiser performs a comprehensive on-site inspection that includes an assessment of:

• The condition of the interior and exterior
• The materials used in the building
• Property amenities (such as a pool, outbuilding or auxiliary dwelling unit, or finished basement)
• Lot size
• Building square footage

The property-specific details are just one factor of the appraisal. The appraiser also researches the current real estate market and comparable local properties, weighing their findings against these factors. With their on-site inspection and off-site research complete, they can draft their appraisal report.

Types of Florida real estate appraisers

In Florida, there are three licensing levels that determine the parameters of your work:

• Trainee Appraisers are at the beginning of their careers and only allowed to perform appraisal-related tasks under the supervision of a Certified Residential or Certified General Supervisory Appraiser.
• Certified Residential Appraisers can appraise 1-4 unit residential properties (such as single-family houses, duplexes, and triplexes) of any value or complexity.
• Certified General Appraisers can appraise any type of property, including both residential and commercial properties, of any value or complexity. This is the highest level of certification.

How to become an appraiser in Florida

You’ll begin your career as a Trainee Appraiser. To become one, you need to be 18 years of age, hold a valid high school diploma or its equivalent, and complete these steps:

1. Complete 100 hours of appraisal qualifying education.
   • This includes 30 hours of appraisal principles, 30 hours of appraisal procedures, the 15-hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (or USPAP) course, and 25 hours of appraisal electives.
2. Take a 4-hour Supervisor/Trainee Course.
3. Connect with a Certified Supervisory Appraiser.
4. Apply with the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board to become a Registered Trainee Appraiser.
   • This involves paying a fee and having a fingerprint scan and background check completed.

Once you receive your Trainee license, you can begin working with your Supervisory Appraiser to accrue the on-the-job appraisal experience you need to become a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser.

How long does it take to become a Florida real estate appraiser?

Most people can complete the process to become a Trainee Appraiser in Florida in just a few weeks or months—especially with McKissock’s self-guided, on-demand qualifying education packages. You can search for a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser who will agree to be your supervisor while completing your 104 hours of required education. The background check and the state board’s processing of your application may take a few weeks or longer, but once you have those, you can start working as a paid Trainee.

After you become a Trainee, the next steps to become a certified appraiser in Florida will take an additional 1 to 2 years, depending on which license level you choose to pursue. The process to become a Certified Residential Appraiser can be done in a little over 12 months. The process to become a Certified General Appraiser can be completed in a little over 18 months.

For even more details on how to get your appraisal license in Florida, take a look at our Florida appraiser requirements page!

Benefits to becoming an appraiser in Florida

Becoming a property appraiser in Florida offers a variety of opportunities. With the option to own your own business, an appraisal career gives you greater control over your schedule and your income. Florida is continually growing, which means it also has a stronger, more stable housing market than other states. This provides more demand and security for real estate appraisers throughout the Sunshine State.

Even if the housing market slows down, appraisers are still needed to perform valuations for things like foreclosures, estate planning, and land acquisition. Plus, there are other “side hustles” you can offer, such as expert witness testimony and tax assessment. We recommend obtaining the Certified General Appraiser license, as this offers more opportunities to grow your business.

How much do appraisers make in Florida?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage of Florida property appraisers and assessors is $72,540.¹ Salary.com states that most residential real estate appraisers in Florida make between $49,017 and $98,760, and most commercial appraisers in Florida make between $43,036 and $130,718.^2-5

Glassdoor gives higher salary estimates for Florida property appraisers, listing the average salary of Florida home appraisers as $121,231 per year and the average salary of Florida commercial real estate appraisers as $112,220 per year.^6,7

It’s important to note that several factors will affect the salary for real estate appraisers in Florida:

1. License level: The more advanced your certification, the more you’re likely to make. For example, trainees typically don’t earn as much as a Certified Residential or General Appraiser.
2. Location: Appraisers in Merritt Island, Miami Dade County, and other higher cost-of-living areas are more likely to earn more than appraisers in rural or lower cost-of-living areas in the state.
   • The Florida cities with the highest average salaries for real estate appraisers include:⁸
     • Merritt Island ($96,167)
     • Miami Dade County ($93,468)
     • Port Saint Lucie ($91,769)
     • Key West ($90,778)
     • Miami Beach ($90,625)
     • Jupiter ($89,737)
3. Experience:  More experience typically translates into a higher income because you’ll have a larger network, will be more efficient so you can finish jobs more quickly, and take on more projects.

How to Maximize Your Appraisal Salary in Florida

There are a few ways you can increase your salary as a full-time appraiser:

• Move into commercial real estate. If you’re in the early stages of your appraisal career, residential real estate is a great way to gain experience. However, earning your Certified General Appraiser license will allow you to appraise commercial properties, which gives you more opportunities to expand your business and earn higher fees.
• Work as an independent appraiser. While the stability of working as an in-house appraiser at a firm is alluring, working for yourself means you can select only those appraisal jobs you want, meaning you have the flexibility of focusing on high-paying assignments.
• Appraise luxury units. The luxury market is more complex and offers higher property values, meaning you can charge more per appraisal.

Florida appraisal license reciprocity

If you’re licensed out-of-state, you can appraise real estate in Florida, so long as you meet a few criteria:

You also have the option of applying for a Temporary Practice Permit with which you can practice in Florida so long as you are certified elsewhere and are in good standing with their state board. Just submit an application and a $50 fee prior to your assignment. This permit is only good for a single appraisal assignment, although this may be comprised of multiple property appraisals.

Take the first step to become an appraiser in Florida

Now that you know how to become an appraiser in Florida, it’s time to get started, and McKissock will be with you every step of the way. We offer convenient, comprehensive Qualifying Education for appraisers in Florida that meet state requirements and prepare you for success. And when you’re ready to upgrade your license, we have the appraisal classes, exam prep, and Florida continuing education to keep you on track.

Have questions? McKissock’s Education Specialists can help you understand all of the requirements to become a real estate appraiser in Florida. Call us at 877.204.1039.

Sources cited

1. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Property Appraisers and Assessors (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)  
2. Appraiser (Residential Real Estate) Salary in Florida (Salary.com) 
3. Appraiser Sr. (Residential Real Estate) Salary in Florida (Salary.com) 
4. Appraiser I (Commercial Real Estate) Salary in Florida (Salary.com) 
5. Appraiser IV (Commercial Real Estate) Salary in Florida (Salary.com) 
6. Residential Real Estate Appraiser Salaries in Florida (Glassdoor) 
7. Commercial Real Estate Appraiser Salaries in Florida (Glassdoor) 
8. Real Estate Appraiser Salary in Florida (ZipRecruiter)