Certified Membership
Certified Membership represents the highest level of accomplishment for members of the Appraisers Association of America.
Certified Members have the most extensive level of expertise, qualifying education, and a minimum of ten years of experience as an appraiser of personal property, specializing in the fine or decorative arts. Certified Members are included in the searchable “Find An Appraiser” database and are distinguished by “AAA” after their name.
The Appraisers Association’s requirements for Certified Membership align with the Personal Property Appraiser Minimum Qualification Criteria established by The Appraisal Foundation (TAF). TAF is a congressionally mandated organization that oversees the valuation profession. The requirements include 120 hours of Qualifying Education, met by successfully completing required courses, including a 15-hour USPAP Course and Exam. Applicants must submit three sample appraisals following the templates provided by the Appraisers Association and pass an exam in an area of specialization. Renewing Certified Members must meet a Continuing Education requirement of 70 hours every five years, including either a 15-hour or 7-hour USPAP Course every two years to remain USPAP compliant.
If you have at least ten years of significant appraisal or related connoisseurship and marketplace experience, we recommend that you inquire about applying to become a Certified Member. Applicants are required to complete a condensed series of courses with the Appraisers Association including USPAP, Theory & Methodology of Appraising, and Appraisal Writing Workshop, as well as a “certification exam” which tests the depth of knowledge in your area of expertise. We work closely with each candidate to assist with every step of the process.
Qualifying Experience
- 10 years minimum of direct marketplace and appraisal writing experience
Qualifying Education (120 hours minimum)
- Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), Personal Property – 15 hours
- Theory and Methodology Course and Exam – 10 hours
- Appraisal Writing Workshop – 10 hours of class time, 5 hours to complete the assignment and 40 hours to prepare for the submission of 3 appraisals for review.
- Specialization Exam – 40 hours (study and actual exam time)
Application
- Resume or CV listing qualifying experience and educational background
- Three professional references
- Area of specialization
- Application Fee ($275, non-refundable)
Membership Comment
Name published twice in the Pending Applications List, full membership invited to comment
Admissions Committee Review
Meetings held quarterly in June, October, January, and April
Continuing Education
Certified Members must report at least 70 hours of Continuing Education every five years.
Annual Dues
Annual dues for Certified Membership are currently $675. The Appraisers Association's membership year runs from July 1 of any given year through June 30 of the following year.
Applicants apply in ONE area of specialization at a time. Please review the list here. There is a process to add additional areas of specialization once you are accepted in the first.
The entire application process can take as few as six months or up to two years to complete. Please note that once you initiate the application process, your candidacy will last two years. All coursework and application materials must be completed within these two years. Access to the templates for report submission will be provided once your candidacy begins.
Please contact Patrick McIntyre, Membership Manager, by calling 212.889.5404 x13 or by email at membership@appraisersassociation.org with any questions or concerns.
New to the Appraiser's Association?
If you're an appraiser interested in Associate, Accredited, or Certified membership in our organization, please complete our screening application to include your current resume or CV, related professional organizations, and appraisal education. We will use this information to help determine which membership track most accurately matches your level of expertise.