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Credentialing
The current state of the art in the credentialing field is largely based upon assessing competency through an examination. This is true of most established fields and professions. Users of personal property appraisals are unlikely to recognize or accept any professional credential that does not include a relevant test for competence.
The AOA offers two levels of credentialing — the Accredited Member and the Certified Member. However, no credentialing body can guarantee any particular level of service or competence of its members.
Accredited Members
The AOA states that its credentialing program warrants only that AOA Accredited Members have:
- Provided the AOA with a list of their area(s) of specialization
- Certified to the AOA that they have a minimum of two years of appraisal experience and/or market-related non-appraisal experience within the area(s) of specialization
- Provided the AOA with three personal references
- Provided the AOA with their curriculum vitae, résumé, or professional profile
- Agreed to abide by the AOA Code of Ethics
- Agreed to prepare online appraisal reports in accordance with the AOA Appraisal Report Writing Standard and with The Appraisal Foundation's Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
- Have satisfied the AOA's requirement to satisfactorily complete a tested course in personal property appraisal theory, principles and methodology. Click here for requirement alternatives for AOA members who also hold designations within other professional appraisal societies.
- Demonstrated product knowledge by attending an approved course of instruction in the area of personal property appraisal specialization or, as an alternative, wrote a thesis on their area of specialization.
- Completed the 15-hour National USPAP Course and successfully complete the related exam.
- Submitted a USPAP-compliant sample Appraisal Report for review and approval.
Certified Members
The AOA states that its credentialing program warrants only that AOA Certified Members have met the above requirements as well as the following requirements:
- Certified to the AOA that they have a minimum of three years of appraisal experience and/or market-related non-appraisal experience within the area(s) of specialization
- Successfully completed the proctored Certification Exam (a short-answer, multiple-choice exam covering USPAP as well as personal property appraisal theory and principles.)
Click here for AOA Certified Member requirement alternatives for AOA members who also hold designations within the American Society of Appraisers, Appraisers Association of America, or the International Society of Appraisers.