Chief Appraiser

Chief Appraiser Says

Reading the actual guideline text below — never a general AI guess

What California Appraiser Licensing Law Actually Says

Here's what we're looking at: California's appraiser licensing system, formally called the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA) Practice Act, is found in the state's Business and Professions Code and sets out the rules for who can practice as an appraiser in the state. The passages shown here cover only part of the full law—specifically they cut off partway through one section and are missing several final sections entirely—but they do indicate that the complete law addresses compliance with fair lending rules (Regulation B/ECOA) and other miscellaneous matters in those missing portions. What we can see demonstrates that California's licensing framework is part of a larger national system where appraisers must meet education and experience standards set by federal qualification boards, maintain an active license with their state, and conduct themselves according to professional standards.

Straight from California Appraiser Licensing Law (BREA — BP Code/CCR Title 10), IAAO Standards, and Fair Housing Law & Appraisal Bias — nothing added.

Read the actual documents:

→ IAAO-Glossary 3rd-Ed final (Chief Appraiser Document Library)

→ BP Codes Real Estate Appraisers (Chief Appraiser Document Library)

Did this answer your question? ✓ Answered ~ Partly ✗ Missed

Watch: Training Video for This Question Video Library →

How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in California? (License Requirement)

AI Search

General web information, outside Chief Appraiser’s vetted library — verify against the authoritative source before relying on it professionally

Searching the wider web…

Relevant News

Recent public coverage related to this topic — cited, not reproduced

Nevada AB 396 casita law effective July 1, 2026

Nevada Assembly Bill 396 requires Clark County and major cities to adopt ordinances authorizing accessory dwelling units on single-family residential lots, taking effect July 1, 2026.

Read full story at Nevada Legislature →

Recent California data shows 5-10% premium for owned solar homes

California-specific data shows owned solar panels add 5–10% to home value (about $39,500–$79,000 on median homes), while leased panels generally do not add appraised value.

Read full story at Open Door →

See all Relevant News →

Filter: All None

#1 IAAO Standards Page 16

0.158 ▼

— The estimate of the value of a property. See Value. Appraiser — The professionally skilled individual who estimates the monetary value of property. Appraiser Licensing and…

IAAO Standards · IAAO-Glossary_3rd-Ed_final.pdf · Page 16

— The estimate of the value of a property. See Value. Appraiser — The professionally skilled individual who estimates the monetary value of property. Appraiser Licensing and Certification — A procedure whereby appraisers gain permission from the United States, state, and territorial licensing agencies to practice without supervision by demonstrating appropriate (pre — licensing) experience and education skills and by agreeing to maintain and improve their skills and to conduct themselves in accordance with professional standards set by either The Appraisal Foundation’s Appraisal Standards Board or an appraisal organization. Appraiser Qualifications Board — The independent division of The Appraisal Foundation that establishes education, experience, and other criteria for licensing, certification, and reclassifi- cation of qualified appraisers. See Appraiser. Appreciation —

#2 California Appraiser Licensing Law (BREA — BP Code/CCR Title 10) Page 1

0.103 ▼

--- Source: California Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 3 -- "Licensing and Certification of Real Estate Appraisers" (Sections 11300-11425) Also known as the Bureau…

California Appraiser Licensing Law (BREA — BP Code/CCR Title 10) · BP_Codes_Real_Estate_Appraisers.txt · Page 1

--- Source: California Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 3 -- "Licensing and Certification of Real Estate Appraisers" (Sections 11300-11425) Also known as the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA) Practice Act. Official source (BREA-compiled copy): https://www.brea.ca.gov/pdf/bp_codes.pdf Retrieved: July 28, 2026 (BREA's own copy states "As of January 1, 2026") Public domain (government statute) -- no copyright restriction. KNOWN GAP: this pull cuts off partway through Section 11423 (the appraisal- notice-to-loan-applicant section) and is missing the rest of 11423 (subsections h-i), plus Sections 11424 and 11425 -- all part of Chapter 9 ("Miscellaneous"). Confirmed via California's official statute site (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) that 11423(h) covers Regulation B/ECOA compliance and 11423(i) is a savings clause; 11424/11425 not yet pulled. Flagging honestly rather

#3 California Appraiser Licensing Law (BREA — BP Code/CCR Title 10) Page 2

0.080 ▼

(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) that 11423(h) covers Regulation B/ECOA compliance and 11423(i) is a savings clause; 11424/11425 not yet pulled. Flagging honestly rather than…

California Appraiser Licensing Law (BREA — BP Code/CCR Title 10) · BP_Codes_Real_Estate_Appraisers.txt · Page 2

(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) that 11423(h) covers Regulation B/ECOA compliance and 11423(i) is a savings clause; 11424/11425 not yet pulled. Flagging honestly rather than presenting this as complete -- follow-up needed to fetch the missing tail. --- As of January 1, 2026 Page 1 Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers Practice Act California Business and Professions Code Division 4. Real Estate Part 3. Licensing and Certification of Real Estate Appraisers Sections 11300-11425 NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT WAS CURRENT WHEN ASSEMBLED; HOWEVER, STATUTES AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. BREA MAKES NO REPRESENTATION AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE READER TO CONSULT CURRENT CODE BOOKS. Preamble 11300-11301 Chapter 1: Definitions 11302 Chapter 2: Administration 11310-11319.2 Chapter

#4 Fannie Mae Selling Guide Page 540

0.129 ▼

assignments. The requirement for an appraiser to produce a high-quality work product must always outweigh fee or turnaround time considerations. develop and maintain a documented…

Fannie Mae Selling Guide · Selling Guide - 06-03-2026.pdf · Page 540 · View at official source (selling-guide.fanniemae.com) →

assignments. The requirement for an appraiser to produce a high-quality work product must always outweigh fee or turnaround time considerations. develop and maintain a documented process to monitor the appraisers it uses. The process (at a minimum) must include an annual review of an appraiser's state licensing or certification status and a procedure for suspending or terminating business with individual appraisers. Additionally, the lender must have a procedure for referring appraisers to the applicable state appraiser licensing and regulatory board. Delegating these responsibilities to a third party does not relieve the lender of its responsibilities related to the appraisal or the value, condition, and marketability of the property. See B4-1.3-12, Appraisal Quality Matters, for information related to ongoing review of

#5 Fannie Mae Selling Guide Page 58

0.135 ▼

services. The quality of an appraiser’s work is a key criterion that must be used in determining which appraiser the lender (or its authorized agent) uses for its assignments. The…

Fannie Mae Selling Guide · Selling_Guide_Supplement_UAD_3.6_Policy.pdf · Page 58 · View at official source (selling-guide.fanniemae.com) → · Last verified: 2026-09-30

services. The quality of an appraiser’s work is a key criterion that must be used in determining which appraiser the lender (or its authorized agent) uses for its assignments. The requirement for an appraiser to produce a high-quality work product must always outweigh fee or turnaround time considerations. • develop and maintain a documented process to monitor the appraisers it uses. The process (at a minimum) must include an annual review of an appraiser’s state licensing or certification status and a procedure for suspending or terminating business with individual appraisers. Additionally, the lender must have a procedure for referring appraisers to the applicable state appraiser licensing and regulatory board. Delegating these responsibilities to a third party does not relieve the

#6 HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 Page 103

0.075 ▼

the Appraiser to renew in a timely manner may result in removal from the FHA Appraiser Roster. e. Post-approval Requirements (11/17/2021) The Appraiser must comply with the…

HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 · Handbook_4000.1_Transmittal.pdf · Page 103 · View at official source (HUD.gov — SFH Handbook 4000.1) → · Last verified: 2026-10-01

the Appraiser to renew in a timely manner may result in removal from the FHA Appraiser Roster. e. Post-approval Requirements (11/17/2021) The Appraiser must comply with the following requirements and restrictions for its FHA business operations in addition to continuing to operate in full compliance with the eligibility requirements outlined in this Handbook 4000.1. Compliance with Law The Appraiser’s performance must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the Fair Housing Act and other federal, state, or local antidiscrimination laws. The Appraiser must adhere to all state and local laws relating to appraisal, licensing, and certification requirements. Appraiser Competency Requirement The Appraiser assigned to provide the appraisal must be able to complete an assignment for the property

#7 HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 Page 85

0.075 ▼

I. DOING BUSINESS WITH FHA B. Other Participants 1. Appraisers Handbook 4000.1 68 Effective Date: 09/14/2015 | Last Revised: 08/14/2019 *Refer to the online version of SF Handbook…

HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1 · Handbook_4000.1_-_Defective_Paint_Section.pdf · Page 85 · View at official source (HUD.gov — SFH Handbook 4000.1) → · Last verified: 2026-10-11

I. DOING BUSINESS WITH FHA B. Other Participants 1. Appraisers Handbook 4000.1 68 Effective Date: 09/14/2015 | Last Revised: 08/14/2019 *Refer to the online version of SF Handbook 4000.1 for specific sections’ effective dates d. Post-Approval Requirements The Appraiser must comply with the following requirements and restrictions for its FHA business operations in addition to continuing to operate in full compliance with the eligibility requirements outlined in this SF Handbook. i. Compliance with Law The Appraiser’s performance must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Appraiser must adhere to all state and local laws relating to appraisal, licensing and certification requirements. ii. Appraiser Competency Requirement The Appraiser assigned to provide the appraisal must be able to complete

#8 Fair Housing Law & Appraisal Bias (Fair Housing Act, ECOA, USPAP AO-39/40) Page 7

0.055 ▼

the race, ethnicity, or national origin of residents, as an analytic factor, and should be cautious with subjective or unverifiable neighborhood characterizations. The 2026…

Fair Housing Law & Appraisal Bias (Fair Housing Act, ECOA, USPAP AO-39/40) · Fair_Housing_and_Appraisal_Bias_Requirements.txt · Page 7 · View at official source (The Appraisal Foundation — USPAP) →

the race, ethnicity, or national origin of residents, as an analytic factor, and should be cautious with subjective or unverifiable neighborhood characterizations. The 2026 continuing education requirement for valuation bias and fair housing. The Appraiser Qualifications Board adopted new Real Property criteria, effective January 1, 2026, requiring a standalone seven-hour course on valuation bias and fair housing law as part of both initial qualifying education for new licensees and continuing education at renewal for all real property appraisers. This is a change from the prior model, where fair housing content was often folded into the general USPAP update course. Appraisers should confirm with their state licensing board how this seven-hour requirement maps onto that state's specific continuing education hour requirements

Chief Appraiser

Welcome to Chief Appraiser

Still Being Built — And That's Where You Come In

Why not just use AI?

Help Us Improve Chief Appraiser