Designations

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Regular Members who wish to increase their appraisal proficiency may earn the designation as either an AOA Accredited Member or as an AOA Certified Member.*

AOA Accredited Member Status Qualification Requirements

Regular Members can earn the AOA designation as an Accredited Member by satisfying the following requirements. Regular Members who satisfy the below requirements for the Accredited Member designation are entitled to use the designation acronym "AOA AM" after their names.

Education

A. Complete an approved, tested course in core appraisal knowledge which focuses on personal property appraisal ethics, theory, principles, standards, methodology and report writing.

B. Complete the 15-hour National USPAP Course and successfully complete the related exam.

C. Demonstrate product knowledge by attending an approved course of instruction in the area of personal property appraisal specialization. As an alternative, write a thesis on your area of specialization. Click here for thesis specifications.

D. Submit a USPAP-compliant sample appraisal report making use of USPAP’s Appraisal Report option for review and approval. (This may be omitted if submitting a sample appraisal is a requirement of “a” above.)

Experience

Have two years of market-related experience buying, selling or appraising in your area of expertise.

Continuing Education

To maintain Accredited Member status, once every two years the member must attend the 7-hour National USPAP Update course or its online equivalent.

AOA Certified Member Status Qualification Requirements

Regular Members who satisfy the above requirements for Accredited Member status and who also satisfy the below requirements earn credentials as a Certified Member of the AOA and are entitled to use the designation acronym "AOA CM" after their names:

Experience

Have four years of market-related experience buying, selling or appraising in your area of expertise.

Examination

Successfully complete the proctored AOA Certification Exam
(A short-answer, multiple-choice exam covering USPAP as well as personal property appraisal theory and principles. This requirement may be waived if a tested comprehensive exam was incorporated in the appraisal course taken to satisfy the “Education” requirement for Accredited Member status.)

Continuing Education

To maintain Certified Member status, once every two years the member must attend the 7-hour National USPAP Update course or its online equivalent.

Alternative Pathways to Designation

AOA members who hold a professional appraisal designation in other appraisal socities may automatically qualify for a comparable AOA designation. Designation pathway alternatives.

* A Note about Using Designations

AOA members who have yet to earn an AOA AM or AOA CM designation are not permitted to use the acronym "AOA" or "Member of AOA" after their name as to do so would be misleading. However, designated as well as non-designated Members can refer to themselves as "Member of AOA" in their professional profile, CV or résumé.