Additional Class Information For the 6-Day Course

(Registrants for the 2-day, 15-hr National USPAP Course click here for class information)

Prerequisites
This course is intended for the novice as well as the experienced appraiser who may be lacking formal training in appraisal principles, methodology or the standards of USPAP.

There are no educational or experience prerequisites to attending this course; however, it would be helpful if students had market-related experience relevant to the types of property in which they intend to specialize in their appraisal practice. Such experience may result from performing in the past as an appraiser, auctioneer, broker, dealer, claims adjuster, jewelry store owner, estate planner, attorney, estate liquidator, or avid collector. See below section entitled "Your Obligation to Become Fully Trained".

Prior to Part I of this course, students should read Lessons 1 through 3 of the Part I course book, "Appraising Personal Property: Principles and Methodology - 2nd Edition" (Appraisers Press 2008). More about these assignments.

Tuition
Payment in full is required with enrollment application. Note that a $50 late fee is required if registration is not received within 35 days of start of class. Register.

Enrollment
All classes are limited in size. Registrations are accepted in the order in which they are received. If the class size is exceeded, you will be so notified by email. In such cases, payments received will either be refunded or applied to a future course offering as you prefer.

Course Confirmation
A course confirmation email will be sent once the minimum number of registrations have been received. Do not purchase non-refundable transportation tickets until such time as you receive this course confirmation email.

Cancellation Policies
We will issue refunds for cancellations made in writing by 5 p.m. ET if done so at least ten business days prior to the first day of class (minus a $75 processing free). There is no refund for cancellations made within ten business days of class or for students who fail to attend the entire course of instruction.

If we must cancel a course offering for any reason, your enrollment fees will be reimbursed in full (less the $60 course book purchase fee and PayPal charges if paid as part of your course registration.) However, we will not be responsible for any cancellation changes/charges assessed by airlines, hotel or travel agencies. Courses may be cancelled at our discretion. Refunds are made by check in order to avoid PayPal charges.

Course Schedule
Classes normally run from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. with hourly breaks and lunch (on your own) around noon. These are intense courses and require evening reading assignments.

Required Text Books
Note: Students are required to bring three books with them to this course. Included are:

Appraising Personal Property: Principles and Methodology - 2nd Edition (Maloney 2008) 416 pages, softcover, spiral bound ISBN 978-0-9794738-2-1. This book is included in the cost or your course registration. We will mail this book to you upon registration.
2008-2009 version of Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP). Order your copy online directly from The Appraisal Foundation.
2008-2009 personal property version of the 15-Hour National USPAP Course Student Manual. Order online.

Remember, the above three books must be obtained by you and brought with you to class. Register well enough in advance to ensure that you have time to order and receive the required text books.

Exams
Testing is required for both Part 1 (appraisal principles and methodology) and Part II (USPAP) of this course.

There will be a 33-question (T&F, multiple choice) quiz from 8-8:30 AM on day 2. This quiz covers only the material from day 1.
There will be a 34-question (T&F, multiple choice) quiz from 8-8:30 AM on day 3. This quiz covers only the material from day 2.
There will be a 33-question (T&F, multiple choice) quiz from 8-8:30 AM on day 4. This quiz covers only the material from day 3.
The focus of day 4 will be report writing, sample reports, your appraisal business, and basic appraisal techniques. These topics will not require another quiz.
A single, 50-question, multiple choice USPAP exam covering the USPAP material from days 5 and 6 will be administered from 4-5 PM on day 6. Should a student require retesting, Appraisal Course Associates has established a USPAP Exam Retake Program.

Reading Assignments
For Part I of the course (days 1 through 4), there are required reading assignments in the course book, "Appraising Personal Property: Principles and Methodology - 2nd Edition":

In preparation for day 1, read Lessons 1 through 3
In preparation for day 2, read Lessons 4 and 5
In preparation for day 3, read Lessons 6 through 10
In preparation for day 4, read Lessons 11 and 12

For Part II of the course (days 5 and 6), it is recommendeded that you familiarize yourself with the USPAP manual. Pay special attention to the following sections prior to class:

Preamble and RULES (pages U-1 - U-14)
Standard Rule 7 & 8 (pages U-54 - U-67)
Statements on Appraisal Standards: SMT-6 (page U-87) and SMT-9 (page U-91)
Advisory Opinions AO-2 (page A-4), AO-3 (page A-7), AO-5 (page A-11), AO-11 (page A-22), AO-12 (page A-27), AO-21 (page A-65), AO-26 (page A-90), AO-27 (page A-92), AO-28 (page A-95), AO-29 (page A-99), AO-31 (page A-107) and AO-32 (page A-111).

A current copy of the 2008-2009 edition of USPAP can be viewed online here.

Final Project
Part I requires the submission (after the student returns home) and approval of a professionally prepared appraisal report as a final project.

Certificate Award
The complete 6-day course consists of Part I (Appraisal Principles and Methodology) and Part II (the 15-hour National USPAP course).

Students completing both Parts I and II are awarded a course completion certificate as well as a USPAP certificate.

Students completing only Part II receive the USPAP certificate.

Course Completion Certificate:
USPAP Certificate:

Transportation/Lodging/Meals
All participants are responsible for making their own lodging arrangements and for any costs associated with their lodging, meals, and transportation.

Your Obligation to Become Fully Trained
Any person who represents himself as an appraiser has an obligation to the public to be sufficiently competent to fulfill the obligations that attach to the appraisal role and to the requirements of each specific appraisal assignment.

The four-day valuation principles and methodology section of our course (Part I) prepares the student to understand and correctly employ the appraisal theory, methods and techniques necessary to develop a credible value opinion that is in compliance with USPAP.

The two-day USPAP component of our course (Part II) helps the student understand his obligations to the public. This part of the course is recognized and accepted by all branches of government, typical industry users and professional appraisal societies.

ACA does not establish, accredit or certify appraisers. Mere attendance at this course offering does not establish a student's qualifications to appraise. In addition to principles, methodology, and standards, would-be appraisers must also obtain requisite product knowledge of the types of property they will be appraising. The product knowledge that is necessary to produce a competent appraisal is a life-long learning endeavor and is not addressed by our course offerings.

Students who wish to represent themselves as appraisers would benefit from joining an association or society that offers designations. Membership in a professional appraisal association or society is independent of the ACA. Each society establishes its own educational and experience requirements for designation.

The Association of Online Appraisers (AOA), the College for Appraisers (CFA), as well as the Appraisers National Association (ANA) endorse our appraisal course offerings. Currently, students who attend our course will be recognized as meeting the principles and methodology portion of the educational requirement for designation by both the AOA, CFA as well as the ANA. We anticipate that other professional associations will also endorse our courses and accept them as satisfing training requirements for their members. In addition, our two-day USPAP course (Part II) is accepted as satisfying the USPAP requirements for all major appraisal societies including the AOA, ANA, ASA, ISA, CFA, and AAA.