Massachusetts Board of Registration Of Licensed Real Estate Appraisers

239 Causeway Street, Boston , MA 02114

(617) 727-3055 Judi Meltzer, Administrative Secretary

Information taken from the official web site, located at

www.state.ma.us/reg/boards/ra

Real Estate Appraisers, through their contracts with clients, provide land and commercial and residential property appraisal services.

The Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers licenses qualifies professional appraisers in compliance with the mandates of Title XI, Federal Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) of 1989. The Board insures the integrity of its licensees through fair and consistent enforcement of the statutes and regulations.

3.01:     Application Procedures

(1)    Application Filing. A person desiring to become a state-licensed, state-certified residential or state-certified general real estate appraiser shall file an application on the forms prescribed by the Board. The application shall be made under oath and shall be witnessed by a notary public. The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee and supporting documentation.

(2)    Fee. The amount of the application fee shall be published on the application form and shall be submitted to the Board with the completed application.

(3)    Application Form. The application form shall require the applicant to provide all or any portion of the following information:

(a)   biographical information, including the applicant's name, current address(es) and telephone number(s);

(b)   a list of previous residences;

(c)   an employment history;

(d)   information pertaining to the applicant's character and reputation;

(e)   information pertaining to the applicant's real estate appraisal education;

(f)   information pertaining to the applicant's real estate appraisal experience; and

(g)   such other information as the Board may require to determine the applicant's eligibility for licensure or certification.

(4)    Supporting Documentation. Each applicant shall provide supporting documentation as required by the Board, including:

(a)   One character endorsement in the form prescribed by the Board attesting to the applicant's good moral character and reputation.

(b)   Complete explanations of any criminal convictions (other than minor traffic violations), any civil actions related to the practice of real estate appraisal, any disciplinary actions or denial of licensure/certification by any professional licensing agency.

(c)   Verification that the applicant has met the education requirements. It shall be the applicant's responsibility to submit documentation from the course provider which indicates:

that the applicant has successfully completed and passed an examination for the course; and the number of classroom hours awarded for completion of the course.

(d)   Only Board-approved courses shall be acceptable to meet the education requirements. The applicant may be requested to submit additional documentation demonstrating that his/her course work meets the Course Qualification Requirements set forth in 264 CMR 9.03.

(e)   If requested, appraisal reports and file data verifying that the applicant's real estate appraisal experience meets the Experience Criteria set forth in 264 CMR 5.06.

(5)    Personal Appearance. The Board may require applicants to appear before the Board (or subcommittee of the Board) for an interview or audit, as set forth in 264 CMR 5.06(6).

(6)    Experience Review. Applicants who are required to provide appraisal reports and file data to the Board or appear before the Board for an audit of claimed experience, pursuant to 264 CMR 3.01(4)(e), 3.01(5), and 5.06(6), may be determined ineligible for licensure or upgrade of their current license classification if the reports and files reviewed by the Board demonstrate a lack of competency in appraisal methodology or fail to comply with the requirements of USPAP.

(7)    Board Action. When an application is fully processed and ready for Board action, it shall be reviewed by the Board to determine whether the applicant is eligible to sit for a licensing or certification examination, and the classification of licensure or certification for which the applicant is eligible. When the Board has made its decision, the applicant will be notified thereof in writing. If an applicant fails to provide any required or requested documentation necessary to complete the application, pay required fees, or appear before the Board for an audit of claimed experience within six months of the date the applicant is notified by the Board to provide documentation, pay required fees, or appear before the Board, such application shall be considered denied and a new application and application fee shall be required to be submitted for license qualification.

(8)    Appeal of Application Denial Based on Experience Review. Applicants whose applications are denied based on the Board's review of appraisal reports and file data may request reconsideration of their application by the Board with accompanying appraisal reports and file data completed after the date on which the Board previously denied their application. Reconsideration of a denied application must be requested within six months of the date the application was originally denied by the Board. If the Board again denies an application after reconsideration, such application shall be considered denied and a new application and application fee shall be required to be submitted for license qualification.

3.02:    Examination Procedures

(1)    Examinations.

(a)   The Board or its agents shall administer licensing and certification examinations. All certification examinations shall have been approved by the AQB.

(b)   Jurisprudence Examination. The Board may require a jurisprudence examination.

(2)    Satisfaction of the Education and Experience Requirements Prerequisite to Examination. Only applicants who have been notified by the Board in writing that they are eligible to sit for an examination may register to take such examination.

(3)    Examination Scheduling - Passing Score Required Within Six Months of Application Approval Date. Scheduling information shall be provided to each eligible candidate. Each candidate shall be responsible for scheduling himself/herself for the appropriate examination. A candidate may only schedule himself/herself for the examination for the classification they have been approved to take. If a candidate fails to attain a passing score on the examination within six months of the date the candidate was determined to be eligible to take such examination, the application shall be considered denied and a new application, and application fee must be submitted by the applicant.

(4)    Fee. A fee shall be charged to take the examination.

(5)    Re-Examination. A candidate who fails to attain a passing score on the examination may take the examination again. There is no limit to the number of times an individual may take the examination. A separate fee shall be paid for each examination. Each candidate shall reschedule himself/herself for each examination.

(6)    Passage of an AQB-Approved Examination in Another Jurisdiction. Passage of an examination taken in another jurisdiction may be approved by the Board as meeting the examination requirement provided the examination has been approved by the AQB.

(7)    Notification. Candidates shall be notified in writing of their examination results. Candidates receiving a passing score on the examination will receive instructions for obtaining a license or certificate.

Registration Procedures

(1)    Registration for License - Payment of License/Certificate Fee Required Within Six Months of Examination Date.   Successful candidates shall receive their license or certificate upon payment of the license/certificate fee, which fee must be paid to the Board within six months of the date of the examination. Failure to so register with the Board shall result in denial of the application and require submission of a new application, payment of application and registration fees, and re-examination for license qualification.

(2)   Registration Card - A registration card shall be issued to each registrant upon his/her initial registration which shall include the individual's registration number. An individual's registration and right to practice shall be deemed to commence upon the issuance of the registration card and registration number.

Federal Appraiser Registry

The Board shall provide a roster of all transitionally licensed, state-licensed, state-certified residential, and state-certified general real estate appraisers and fees to the Federal Appraisal Subcommittee as required by Title XI.

REGULATORY AUTHORITY

264 CMR 3.00:   M.G.L. c. 13, § 92; c. 112, §§ 173 through 195.