About the Course

Prerequisites

With the advent of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) as promulgated by The Appraisal Foundation of Washington, DC, appraisal clientele have become more knowledgeable about the appraisal profession. Accordingly, they are becoming more sophisticated in the choices they are making when hiring the services of a professional appraiser. Today's professional personal property appraiser must become well grounded in the basic theory, principles and methodology of appraising as well as in the standard of USPAP in order to best serve the public. (What is USPAP?)

Appraising Personal Property: A Core Course in Valuation Studies Featuring USPAP meets this need.

Developed by veteran course writer and instructor Dave Maloney, AOA CM in association with National USPAP Course Certified Instructor Bill Novotny, ISA AM, Appraising Personal Property: A Core Course in Valuation Studies Featuring USPAP is a six-day, on-site, two-part comprehensive course covering the theory, principles and methodology that lay the foundation for ethical, complete, reasoned, and well-communicated value conclusions and appraisal reports.

This course is not intended to provide product knowledge, i.e., knowledge about the type of property in which you will be specializing as an appraiser. This course does not teach about furniture, silver, jewelry, machinery and equipment, etc. Such in-depth product knowledge can only be gained through extensive personal experience including participating in and observing the relevant marketplaces, studying in classroom settings, participating in internships, by attending seminars and conferences, etc. The gaining of product knowledge is a lifelong-learning experience and is not a focus of this course of study. One should not appraise without having knowledge of the property to be appraised. Though our course offers a thorough grounding in appraisal principles, methodology and USPAP, it is essential that one also have a thorough understanding of the items being appraised in order to offer an opinion of value in accordance with generally accepted professional appraisal standards.

This course is designed for those who wish to build a personal property appraisal business or who wish to add appraisal services as an adjunct to an ongoing related line of work. Many appraisers were first antiques dealers, jewelry store owners, auctioneers, restoration and repair specialists, estate liquidators, brokers, insurance adjusters or collectors. They realize that their original lines of business can be enhanced when professional appraisals are added to their list of services offered to the public.

We are committed to providing you with the most comprehensive yet practical course of instruction in the field. From basic appraisal theory to the Uniform Standard of Professional Appraisal Practice to sample descriptions and appraisals, this course covers it all. There is no other course of instruction that provides such a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of personal property appraising within a single course offering.

Register for the complete 6-day Appraisal Course.

Part I of this course is taught by Dave Maloney, AOA CM and beginning in 2008 makes use of Maloney's 416-page course book, Appraising Personal Property: Principles and Methodology - 2nd Edition. In Part I the student will become knowledgeable in the theory, principles and practices of professional appraising including terminology, definitions, approaches to value, scope of work, intended uses of appraisals, IRS regulations, and much, much more. The student will also learn basic appraisal techniques to facilitate beginning a professional appraisal business. In addition, the student will become familiar with various resources and methods for conducting market and value research and analysis, including networking with others and the use of Internet Web sites such as sources for retail and auction sales data, and online information databases. The student will become familiar with ethical and report writing standards which are based on the widely-accepted Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice as promulgated by The Appraisal Foundation of Washington, DC. The student will be taught the skills necessary to properly describe property and to write a complete, clear, concise, well-developed appraisal report in conformity with USPAP.

Learn more about Part I.

Part II of this course is the personal property version of the 15-hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Course taught by AQB Certified Instructor Bill Novotny, ISA AM, GCA. (What is USPAP?) The course is designed to aid personal property appraisers seeking competency in USPAP and focuses on the requirements for ethical behavior and competent performance by appraisers as set forth in USPAP. The course emphasizes the role of the appraiser and the impartiality associated with this role. In addition to lectures, the course includes discussion examples that show how USPAP applies to situations that appraisers encounter in everyday practice. The course makes use of personal property examples which address issues frequently experienced by personal property appraisers. Passing the one hour USPAP test at the end of the 15-hour National USPAP course demonstrates a proper understanding of USPAP, and is accepted by all 50 states as adequate demonstration of proficiency with USPAP. A signed certificate of successful completion is awarded to each student that passes the test.

This unique USPAP course focuses on personal property in general, and occasionally discusses issues that may be relevant to machinery and equipment and business valuation appraisers, but only in the context of specific and relevant USPAP issues. This course is designed to aid appraisers in all areas of appraisal practice, except real property, that seek competency in USPAP. This USPAP course is essential for continuing education requirements imposed by professional organizations, client groups, or employers since USPAP is constantly evolving and changes every two years. (Please note that real property appraisers that seek state certification should only attend a USPAP course presented by a licensed real property appraiser who is certified by the AQB to teach the National USPAP course. this course, "Appraising Personal Property: USPAP," will not fulfill the requirements for real property appraisers since instructor Bill Novotny is not a licensed real property appraiser.)

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice have been endorsed and adopted by major appraisal organizations of the United States and Canada. As required by federal law, USPAP must be used by states in their real estate appraiser certification programs. This course provides 15 hours of instruction in USPAP and allows for a one-hour exam period.

Learn more about Part II.

(USPAP-only: Want to attend only the two-day USPAP portion of this course? Click here to learn how.)