The State of Arizona has established four types or levels of real estate appraisers:

Registered Trainee Appraiser – This is the category for those entering the profession. It requires 75 hours of qualifying education and no college degree. A Registered-Trainee must work under a mentoring Certified Residential or General Appraiser

Licensed Residential Appraiser – This appraiser-type can perform appraisals of non-complex one-to-four- unit residential properties (transaction value of less than $1,000,000; complex one-to-four-unit residential having a transaction value of less than $250,000).

Certified Residential Appraiser – This appraiser-type is the most common for residential appraisals. Certified residential appraisers may provide appraisal services in federally related transactions with: one-to-four-unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity; and commercial properties (transaction value < $250,000).

Certified General Appraiser – This appraiser-type represents the highest level of appraiser professionals. They can provide appraisal services in federally related transactions with all types of residential or commercial real property without regard to value or complexity. The minimum requirements for a Certified General Appraiser include a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university; 3,000 hours of work experience in at least 18 months; and passing the National Uniform Licensing Examination for Certified General Appraisers. However, most Certified General Appraisers possess much more education and of course experience than the minimums required by the various state accrediting entities, including Arizona’s Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions.

The Appraisal Institute is based in the U.S. with over 18,000 members worldwide, representing highly-decorated real estate appraisers. It offers a multitude of internationally-recognized designations, the most prestigious of which is the MAI.

An MAI designation is a title of distinction. It is earned only by committed and proven members of the Appraisal Institute who have completed and recorded the required designation hours and met other strict requirements. Furthermore, it’s not just a credential; it’s an indication that the member has invested heavily in their career and personal growth, and that they’ve taken steps to improve their knowledge and skills.

These skills aren’t simply in one area of expertise, either. To get an MAI designation, professionals need to demonstrate a range of abilities that provide qualified opinions on investment decisions, evaluations, reviewing, and consultancy, among others.

To attain this distinction, applicants have to demonstrate completion of hundreds of hours of education and sufficient marks on exams, as well as thousands of hours of experience in relevant fields. Further, they have to complete a demonstration appraisal report. These rigorous prerequisites for the distinction are the reason for the respect the MAI receives in the industry.

Source: realquantum.com

The Appraisal Institute also awards the SRA designation to qualifying residential appraisers. Fewer than 1% of all appraisers in the United States have this designation! To obtain this certification, an appraiser must have more education and experience than a licensed or even a certified appraiser.