Division of Real Estate

The Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board (FREAB) is headquartered in Orlando and consists of seven members. The FREAB administers and enforces the real estate appraiser license law, Chapter 475, Part II, Florida Statutes. The Board is also empowered to pass rules that enable it to implement its statutorily authorized duties and responsibilities. These rules are contained in Chapter 61J1, Florida Administrative Code. The statute and rules, along with Chapters 455, 215, 120, and 20, Florida Statutes, as well as the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) are available under Statutes and Rules.

Real estate appraisers may earn five hours of appraiser continuing education credit for attending an entire board meeting, with a maximum of seven hours during a renewal cycle.

APPRAISER ALERT!!! APPRAISER ALERT!!!

SEGMENTED APPROACH TO APPRAISER QUALIFICATIONS ENDING IN 2008

During 2008, real estate appraisers in Florida have been able to use pre-license education that was obtained prior to December 31, 2007 (old education criteria) to meet the pre-license education requirements as established by the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB).  This “Segmented Approach” to meeting the 2008 criteria changes will end on December 31, 2008.

To use the Segmented Approach during the remainder of 2008, you will need to submit an application package that contains all of the required application elements.  Those elements include the following:

• Application form with all information provided
• Appropriate fee must be received
• Attest Statement – form must be filled in and submitted with application
• Electronic Fingerprint record receipt
• Proof of qualifying education hours completed no later than December 31,2007
• Signed and dated experience log pages that demonstrate the appropriate number of reports, hours, and months for the designation you seek

The above listed documents sent in their entirety to the Department must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, December 31, 2008.  Applications received with a postmark date of December 31, 2008 (or earlier) will be processed utilizing the 2007 education criteria.

Applications received by the Department with a postmark dated after December 31, 2008 will be processed under the AQB Education Criteria that became effective on January 1, 2008. For more information on the new education criteria please read the information provided in the 2008 Appraiser Criteria.

Changes Effective in 2008

Effective November 25, 2007 a supervising appraiser may supervise a total of three registered trainee appraisers.    The change to Chapter 61J1-4.010(4), Florida Administrative Code (FAC), reduced the number of trainees from four to three.  This change was necessary to bring Florida into compliance with the new 2008 Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) Criteria.

The Division of Real Estate will audit claimed experience for compliance with Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Applicants will be notified upon successful completion of the audit. After successful completion of the audit the applicant will be made exam eligible. You may also track the progress online at www.myfloridalicense.com.

Have you registered the firm or business name of the company where you work and the physical location?  Chapter 475.623, F. S. requires ALL Florida appraisers to do so.  Effective November 25, 2007, Chapter 61J1-8.001(2) (a) (9), FAC provides for a $500 citation for failure to register.  Registration may be completed by use of DRE Form 2065.  This registration must be completed by July 1, 2008.

NEW – CHAPTER 61J1-10 QUALIFICATIONS FOR LICENSURE - There is a new rule under Chapter 61J1, FAC to help guide you through the application process.  Rule 61J1-10 provides specific information on the education and experience requirements you will need to complete to meet the 2008 AQB Criteria.  The complete version of the appraiser rules can be found in Chapter 61J1, Florida Administrative Code by choosing the Statutes and Rules link on our website.

You can access more information at FREAB FAQs

HOT TOPICS

AQB Criteria Changes for Appraisers in 2008

The Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) approved new criteria which became effective January 1, 2008. Please see Rule 61J1-10.

Additional information about the 2008 AQB Qualification Criteria changes can be accessed at www.appraisalfoundation.org.

Important News - Appraiser Fee Holiday

If you are a registered trainee, licensed, or certified real estate appraiser, your 2008 renewal notice was mailed to you around the middle of August. Because of the large account balance in the Board’s operating account and because the account is projected to maintain a positive cash balance for at least five years, your profession will receive a renewal fee holiday for this renewal period.

The fees you will be required to pay for the 2008 renewal of your appraiser license are:

Registered Trainee Appraiser:  $5.00* (Unlicensed Activity Fee only)

Licensed and Certified Appraisers: $55.00* (Unlicensed Activity Fee of $5.00 plus 2-yr National Registry Fee of $50.00)

 *NOTE:  If your appraiser license was issued with an expiration date of November 30, 2010 you are not required to pay a renewal fee for your license until that date.

Mail all applications to:

DBPR Central Intake Unit
1940 North Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1027