One Small Step for Appraisers, One Giant Step for Texas

The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board are taking the necessary steps forward to help the growth of the appraiser industry within Texas and encouraging veteran appraisers to mentor trainees.

We sat down with Troy Beaulieu, Director of Standards and Enforcement Services Division with the
Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board who gave us the inside scoop on recent changes to the Board’s policies and how they hope it encourages trainees throughout the process.

Buzz: Troy, thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. I understand that the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board started directing some of their efforts towards appraiser trainee programs in Texas. Can you tell us about some of the programs you are offering?

Troy: We have several ongoing initiatives that we are excited about and want to spread the word across the industry. 

First, effective May 1, 2018, we have immediately and completely adopted all the changes to the Appraiser Qualifications Board (“ABQ”) Criteria, which the AQB issued earlier this year.  This includes both a reduction in the number of experience hours required for most licensure levels and increases the options for satisfying education requirements.  More information on those specific changes is available here.

The Board is in the process of permanently adopting these rules through the regular rulemaking process that allows for public comment.  As a result, many appraisers who did not previously qualify for certain licensure levels now have the option of applying for a license. To aid in this process we have made concerted efforts to assist applicants with transferring needed documentation from one application to another to minimize any burdens.

Second, the Board has implemented a program enabling appraiser trainees to obtain feedback on samples of their work product from highly qualified appraisers during their trainee experience. Recent commentary from applicants indicated trainees receive little external feedback on their development of professional appraisal skills until the end of the trainee process (when they apply for licensure and go through the mandatory experience audit). By that time, the trainee is applying for a license without the benefit of up-front feedback during their training period, which could have been integrated earlier.

As a result, the Board approved rule changes allowing trainees to submit up to two samples of their work product for review by the Board’s Peer Investigative Committee (“PIC”). The PIC is comprised of volunteer appraisers who are all AQB Certified USPAP instructors. They review the submission and provide feedback on USPAP compliance and areas for improvement. Trainees can then integrate this written feedback into their training and grow their appraisal skills prior to applying for a license.

We hope this improves the skill level of applicants and minimizes issues during the experience audit process so that people can more quickly obtain a license. More information about the process of submitting an application for voluntary review of trainee work product is available here.

Third, the Board has increased the maximum number of trainees who may be supervised by a single supervisory appraiser from 3 to 5. After receiving commentary from appraisers and trainees about the challenges of locating an appraiser willing to supervise trainees, the Board determined that raising the maximum from 3 to 5 was appropriate and would provide more flexibility for those appraisers already willing to supervise trainees to do more of it.

Buzz: Why do you think it is important for the Board to take these steps?

Troy: The appraisal profession is an important component of the real estate market which is key to the Texas economy. To facilitate economic opportunity, we want to minimize impediments to people entering the appraisal profession and limit licensure requirements to those necessary to protect the consuming public. Balancing these two important public policy elements is reflected in the Board’s mission statement.

Buzz: How many supervisors and trainees have been a part of the work product review program so far?

Troy: The work product program is a newer opportunity that many are not familiar with, so we hope to grow the number of people who use this feedback opportunity. So far, we have received roughly a dozen applications for review of trainee work product. To help grow awareness of this opportunity we are taking proactive efforts to advertise this program through discussion forums such as Facebook, Live Town Hall events, published articles and live presentations to trade groups. We hope to see more trainees submit their work for feedback in the future.

Buzz: Do you see a lot of success in your efforts for the trainees?

Troy: Since these programs are newer and many appraisers are unaware of them we do not have a lot of hard data on how these opportunities may impact things. However, we are optimistic that these endeavors will benefit the trainee experience, increase opportunities for entry into the appraisal profession and may help facilitate growth at appraisal firms.

Buzz: Can you tell us how this has been beneficial for a supervisor?

Troy: For the work product review program, supervisors also gain the benefit of the feedback given to their trainees. In addition, the trainees’ improved skills translate directly into increased efficiency. With the trainee producing better work product, supervisors spend less time correcting mistakes and are able to increase their volume of business.

In addition to the review program, the Board’s efforts to increase the maximum number of trainees certified appraisers may supervise allows them to expand their volume of business.  Both endeavors provide new tools for growing a larger, well-trained group of professionals-in-training who can assist with completing more assignments.

Buzz: From your experience – why do you think it is important for veteran appraisers to become involved in the training program?

Troy: Veteran appraisers are key to the growth of the appraisal profession and enhancing the industry’s professional image. These veteran appraisers possess the skillset (honed through years of practical experience) that needs to be imparted to the next generation of appraisers. Appraisers with years of experience should consider supervising trainees as a way of giving back to the profession while also benefiting their own business.

Buzz: If someone is interested in becoming an appraiser in Texas, what is the best way for them to begin?

Troy: People with an interest in becoming a real estate appraiser should contact a local appraiser they know personally or one of the local trade groups to obtain more information about the profession before determining if they want to pursue an appraisal career.

Buzz: Troy, thank you for taking to the time to chat with us. Before we conclude this interview, is there anything else you would like to add?

Troy: No, thank you!

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