230-RICR-30-20-1
230-RICR-30-20-1. Real Estate Appraisers (version Amendment, 04/15/2014 to 09/28/2017)
Commercial Licensing Regulation 10 – Real Estate Appraisers
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS REGULATION
DIVISION OF COMMERCIAL LICENSING
1511 PONTIAC AVENUE, BLDG. 69-1
CRANSTON, RHODE ISLAND 02920
www.dbr.state.ri.us
COMMERCIAL LICENSING REGULATION 10
REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 1
INTRODUCTION
SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 3
BOARD ADMINISTRATION
SECTION 4
FEES AND CHARGES
SECTION 5
FOUR CLASSIFICATIONS OF LICENSURE
SECTION 6
CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIRED
SECTION 7
TERM OF LICENSES/RENEWAL
SECTION 8
QUALIFYING CRITERIA FOR LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION
SECTION 9
TRAINEES
SECTION 10
DUTY TO MAINTAIN VERIFICATION OF EXPERIENCE
SECTION 11
CONTINUING EDUCATION
SECTION 12
RECIPROCITY
SECTION 13
TEMPORARY PRACTICE PERMIT
SECTION 14
UNIFORM STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL PRACTICE
SECTION 15
INSPECTION OF RECORDS
SECTION 16
REPORTING CONVICTIONS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
SECTION 17
ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
SECTION 18
EFFECT OF SUBSEQUENT STATUTORY OR AQB CHANGES
SECTION 19
SEVERABILITY
SECTION 20
EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
(A)
The purpose of this regulation is to promote the general welfare of the citizens of Rhode
Island by the implementation of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.7-1, et seq., and R.I. Gen. Laws §
42-35-3 so that the provisions thereunder may be best effectuated and the public interest
be most effectively served.
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(B)
As of January 1, 2007, the State of Rhode Island became a "mandatory state" that
requires licensure or certification as an appraiser pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.7-1,
et seq., for those persons who issue opinions or analyses of value or use relating to real
property in this state. This licensing requirement applies to all opinions or analyses of
real estate value or use, whether in the form of a written appraisal, consultant's report, or
expert testimony before a court or an administrative body (such as a local zoning board).
(C)
Notwithstanding the mandatory licensure requirement, any person who holds a real estate
broker or salesperson's license may provide, in the ordinary course of business, a written
or oral opinion of value of real estate solely for the purposes of a prospective listing,
purchase, sale, or business valuation but may not refer to such an opinion of value as an
appraisal.
(D)
The Rhode Island Real Estate Appraisers Board and the Rhode Island Department of
Business Regulation shall utilize the following rules, regulations, and standards for the
licensing, certification, and recertification of real estate appraisers in the State of Rhode
Island.
SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS
(A)
"Department" shall mean the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation.
(B)
"Board" shall mean the Real Estate Appraisers Board established pursuant to R.I. Gen.
Laws § 5-20.7-1, et seq.
(C)
"Analysis" shall mean the examination or study of real estate or real property other than
an estimate of value using an orderly process by which the problem is defined, the work
necessary to solve the problem is planned, and the data involved are acquired, classified,
analyzed, and interpreted into a final opinion or conclusion.
(D)
"Valuation" shall mean a written or oral estimate of the value of Real Estate or Real
Property.
(E)
"Appraisal" or "Real Estate Appraisal" shall mean a written or oral analysis, opinion
and/or conclusion relating to the nature, quality, value and/or utility of specified interests
in, or aspects of, Real Estate. An appraisal may be classified by subject matter into either
a Valuation or an Analysis as defined in this section.
(F)
"Appraisal Process" shall mean a systematic Analysis of the factors that bear upon the
value or utility of real estate.
(G)
"Appraisal Review" shall mean the act or process of developing and communicating an
opinion about the quality of another appraiser’s work by a Rhode Island licensed or
certified appraiser.
(H)
"Appraisal Foundation" shall refer to the not-for-profit educational organization created
by the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, 12 U.S.C.
§ 1811, as amended.(FIRREA). The mission of The Appraisal Foundation is to promote
professionalism in appraising. This is accomplished primarily through the work of two
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independent Boards, the Appraisal Standards Board (“ASB”) and the Appraiser
Qualifications Board (“AQB”). The AQB is responsible for the generally recognized
performance standards of the appraisal profession, the Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice (“USPAP”).
(I)
"Appraisal Subcommittee" shall mean the body within the Federal Financial Institutions
Examination Council as established by FIRREA.
(J)
"AQB Real Property Qualification Criteria" shall mean the criteria promulgated by the
AQB of the Appraisal Foundation, as amended and supplemented, that establish the
experience, pre-licensing, and continuing education criteria for real estate appraisal
licensure and certification. The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria are
incorporated herein by reference as part of this regulation.
(K)
"Core Education" or "Core Curriculum" or "Core Courses" shall mean qualifying
education courses covering specified subject matters as listed in the current AQB Real
Property Qualification Criteria for each appraiser classification.
(L)
"USPAP" shall mean the standards set forth in the Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice as promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal
Foundation.
(M) “Disciplinary action” shall mean the corrective or punitive action taken by the Department
or the Board involving any appraiser, whether formal or informal, consensual or
involuntary, resulting in any of the following: revocation or suspension of credential,
written consent agreements or orders, administrative penalties or fines, probation, formal
reprimand notices or any other restriction on the use of a credential, or voluntary
surrender in lieu of disciplinary action.
(N)
"Certified Appraisal" shall mean an appraisal or appraisal report given or signed and
certified as such by a state certified real estate appraiser or state licensed real estate
appraiser.
(O)
"Residential Property Appraisal" shall mean an appraisal of property that is used for non-
complex single or multi-family dwellings of 1-4 units when a net income capitalization
analysis is not required by the terms of the assignment and is consistent with applicable
federal requirements and guidelines.
(P)
"Certified General Real Estate Appraiser" shall mean a person qualified to appraise all
types of real property without transaction value limitation.
(Q)
"Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser" shall mean a person qualified to appraise
non-complex single or multi-family dwellings of one to four (1-4) units having no
maximum transaction value, or property used for complex one to four (1-4) residential
units having a transaction value of less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars
($250,000).
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(R)
"Licensed Residential Real Estate Appraiser" shall mean a person qualified to appraise
non-complex, one to four (1-4) residential units having a transaction value of less than
one million dollars ($1,000,000) and complex, one to four (1-4) residential units having a
transaction value of less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000).
(S)
"Residential property" shall mean property that is used for non-complex, single or multi-
family dwellings of one to four (1-4) units having no minimum transaction value, or
property used for complex, one to four (1-4) residential units having a transaction value
of less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000).
(T)
"Complex" shall mean those one to four family residential property appraisals where the
property to be appraised, the form of ownership, or the market conditions are atypical.
(U)
"Trainee" shall mean a person who has met the educational requirements of the Appraiser
Qualifications Board of the Appraisal Foundation and who has been issued a trainee
license to complete the experience requirement to become a Licensed or Certified Real
Estate Appraiser working under the direct supervision of a certified appraiser as set forth
in Section 5 of these regulation.
(V)
"Direct supervision" shall mean: (i) personally reviewing the work product of the trainee;
(ii) approving, signing, and accepting responsibility for each appraisal report that
includes the trainee’s work product and certifying that such reports have been
independently and impartially prepared in compliance with USPAP, these rules, and
applicable statutory standards; and (iii) indicating, within the certification section of the
appraisal report, the name of the trainee providing significant real property appraisal
assistance. For purposes of this subparagraph, "significant" means the exercise of
appraisal knowledge and training and does not mean clerical or fact gathering tasks.
(W)
"Part Time" shall mean working an average of less than thirty-five (35) hours per week in
the appraisal profession.
(X)
"Real Estate" shall mean an identified parcel or tract of land, including improvements, if
any.
(Y)
"Real Estate Educator" shall mean a person engaged in and otherwise qualified to teach
the real estate appraisal process or such other related segments of the real estate industry
as the Board and the Department may approve.
(Z)
"Real Property" shall mean one or more defined interests, benefits, and rights inherent in
the ownership of real estate.
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SECTION 3
BOARD ADMINISTRATION
(A)
Election of Officers. The Board shall elect, at a minimum, a Chairperson, Vice-
Chairperson and Secretary from its membership. The Board may elect such other officers,
as it deems appropriate. The term of office for each officer shall be one (1) year.
(B)
Duties of Chairperson. The Chairperson of the Board shall represent the Board before any
other governmental agency, board, or function, although he or she may delegate this
responsibility to another Board member when necessary. The Chairperson shall direct the
activities of the Board.
(C)
Meetings. The Board shall meet not less than once each month with all meetings to be
conducted at the Department unless otherwise specified. At its January meeting, the
Board shall establish a regular schedule for such meetings. The Chairperson may, upon
his or her own motion, call for such additional meetings, as he or she shall deem
necessary or appropriate.
(D)
Routine Meeting Notices. Pursuant to the requirements of the Rhode Island Open
Meetings Act (R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-1, et seq.), the Secretary of the Board shall give
written public notice of meetings of the Board by posting or causing to be posted written
notice of such meeting not less than 48 hours prior to the scheduled time of such meeting.
The written notice shall be posted in the lobby of the Department and at the Rhode Island
State House and shall, at a minimum, state the time, date, and place of the meeting and a
statement of the nature of the business to be discussed. All such meeting notices shall be
mailed to the members of the Board not less than seven (7) days prior to the scheduled
date of such meeting except that less notice may be given upon a showing of good cause.
Each member of the Board shall be responsible for providing the Department with an
updated and accurate mailing address for the purpose of receiving such notices.
(E)
Emergency Meeting. In the event that it shall be necessary to conduct an emergency
meeting of the Board, such a meeting may be called upon the affirmative vote of a
majority of the members of the Board. A meeting notice and agenda shall be posted as
soon as practicable and, upon meeting, the Board shall confirm the need for the meeting
by majority vote and state for the record why the matter must be addressed in less than
forty-eight (48) hours, the Board shall only consider the issue or issues, which created the
need for the emergency meeting.
(F)
Quorum. A quorum of the Board shall be a majority of the voting members of the Board
provided however, that at least three (3) of those members comprising the quorum shall
be real estate appraisers.
(G)
Minutes of the Meeting. The Secretary of the Board or a representative of the Department
shall keep, or cause to be kept, written minutes of all meetings of the Board. The
publication and preparation of the minutes shall at all times be in accordance with the
provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 42-46-7(4) (b) and (c). The minutes shall include, but not
be limited to:
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(1)
The time, date, and place of the meeting;
(2)
The names of the members of the Board in attendance at the meeting;
(3)
A voting record of Board members of any vote taken; and
(4)
Any other information relevant to the business of the Board and any information
that any member of the Board requests to be included or reflected in the minutes.
(H)
Record Keeping. The Department shall maintain all records necessary and proper to
allow the Board to fulfill its obligations.
(I)
Public Access. Access to any records of the Board or the Department shall be governed
by the provisions of the Access to Public Records Act, R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-1, et seq.
(J)
FFIEC List of Appraisers. The Board and Department shall approve a list of the names of
individuals in good standing holding state licenses or certificates. The Department shall
submit the list to the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Federal Financial Institutions
Examination Council.
SECTION 4 FEES AND CHARGES
(A)
Establishment of Fees and Charges. The Board shall advise the Department as to such
fees and charges it recommends be assessed to any person applying for licensing or
certification as a Real Estate Appraiser. The Director of the Department must approve all
fees and charges. All fees and charges shall be nonrefundable. The Department will not
prorate fees.
(B)
Application Fees.
Original Resident Application Fee:
$200
Non-resident Non-Reciprocal Application Fee:
$250
Non-resident Reciprocal Application Fee:
$200
(C)
Examination Fees.
Original Examination:
As Prescribed by Pre-Approved Testing Service
Re-Examination:
As Prescribed by Pre-Approved Testing Service
(D)
License/Certification Fees.
Original License/Certification (per year):
$200
Renewal License/Certification (per year):
$200
Reciprocal License/Certification (per year):
$200
Temporary Practice Permit/Certificate (6 mos.):
$ 200
National Registry Fees (per year)
$ 40
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(E)
Miscellaneous Fees.
Records Modifications:
$10
Duplicate Certification:
$25
Certificate of Licensure:
$10
Reinstatement Fee:
$30
Education Submission Fee:
$25
SECTION 5 FOUR CLASSIFICATIONS OF LICENSURE
(A)
In ascending order of education and experience, the four classifications of licensure are:
(1)
Trainee;
(2)
Licensed Residential Real Estate Appraiser;
(3)
Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser; and
(4)
Certified General Real Estate Appraiser.
(B)
To obtain licensure as a licensed, certified residential, or certified general appraiser, an
applicant must satisfy the educational, experience, and examination requirements for the
desired classification as set forth in the "Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria"
and described in Section 8 below.
SECTION 6 CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIRED
No person shall provide an analysis, opinion, or conclusion that relates to the nature, quality,
value or utility of identified real estate as a consultant, expert witness, or otherwise, unless duly
licensed or certified as an appraiser pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.7-1, et seq.
SECTION 7 TERM OF LICENSES/RENEWAL
(A)
Every certificate or license issued pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.7-1, et seq., shall be
for a term of two (2) years from the date of issuance. The expiration date of the certificate
or license shall appear on the certificate or license. No other notice of its expiration need
be given to the holder thereof.
(B)
Every person certified or licensed pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.7-1, et seq., who
desires to renew the certification or license shall apply for the renewal of the license or
certification upon a form to be furnished by the Department, which form shall contain
whatever information the Department requires. Any renewal of a certification or license
shall be subject to the same provisions and requirements covering issuance, suspension,
and revocation of any certification or license as originally issued.
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(C)
Any person who otherwise satisfies the renewal requirements for a license or certification
may renew a license or certification within one (1) year after its expiration date thereof
for a reinstatement fee of thirty ($30) dollars, in addition to the required renewal fee.
(D)
Any person seeking to reinstate a license after expiration must affirm by affidavit that he
or she has not engaged in any unlicensed real estate appraisal activity since the expiration
of the license.
(E)
If a person has engaged in unlicensed real estate appraisal activity pursuant to R.I. Gen.
Laws § 5-20.7-1 et seq., the person must file an affidavit with the Department listing all
such unlicensed activity. The Department shall review the affidavit submitted and may
either levy a sanction upon a determination that the license may be reinstated or decide
not to reinstate the license.
SECTION 8 QUALIFYING CRITERIA FOR LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION
(A)
Criteria Applicable to all Appraiser Classifications.
(1)
Qualifying Experience Requirements.
(a)
For the experience requirements set forth below, all persons applying for
an upgrade to a higher license classification shall submit a log evidencing
his or her appraisal experience on a form provided by the Department. The
must be signed by the applicant, and shall include the following
information for each appraisal assignment:
(i)
Date of report;
(ii)
Address of appraised property;
(iii)
Type of property;
(iv)
Description of work performed by the applicant;
(v)
Scope of supervising appraiser's review;
(vi)
Scope of supervising appraiser's supervision; and
(vii)
Number of actual work hours by the applicant on the assignment;
(b)
Adequate written reports or file memoranda shall support all experience.
Each applicant shall furnish, under oath, a detailed listing of the real estate
appraisal reports or file memoranda for each year for which the applicant
claims experience. Upon request, the applicant shall make available to the
Board or the Director of the Department a sample of appraisal reports that
the applicant has prepared in the course of his or her practice.
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(c)
Appraisal experience shall be of the type for which the applicant is
seeking a license or certification. The Appraisal Process must have been
utilized in order for appraisal experience to be applied toward the requisite
experience in the AQB Real Property Qualification Criteria. The work
claimed in the application for experience credit shall comply with USPAP,
as promulgated by the Appraisal Foundation at the time the applicant
prepared the appraisals, and/or any applicable federal requirements.
(d)
A year of real estate appraisal experience is defined in terms of hours
within a twelve (12) month period. Hours may be treated as cumulative in
order to achieve the necessary hours of appraisal experience.
(e)
All licensees are required to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Board a
level of understanding of the complete Appraisal Process. Any applicant
who falsely claims experience may be subject to denial of his or her
application or suspension or revocation of an existing license. A
comparable market analysis typically performed by either a licensed real
estate broker or salesperson may be awarded experience credit when he or
she prepared the analysis in conformity with USPAP, and the applicant
can demonstrate that he or she utilizes and understands the Appraisal
Process.
(2)
Qualifying Core Education Requirements.
(a)
All applicants for licensure as a licensed, certified residential, or certified
general appraiser shall submit to the Department official documentation
that he or she successfully completed the core education requirements for
that license or certification as established by the "Real Property Appraiser
Qualification Criteria," promulgated by the AQB of the Appraisal
Foundation, as amended and supplemented, which are incorporated herein
by reference as part of this regulation.
(b)
No core course of less than fifteen (15) hours and no core course in which
the applicant did not pass an examination shall be credited toward
satisfying the minimum core education requirements to become licensed
and/or certified. All qualifying education must be completed within the
five (5) year period prior to the date of submission of an application.
(c)
All core courses shall be taught by a duly-licensed real estate school
pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.5-19, or a nationally
recognized appraisal organization, college, university or other school pre-
approved by the AQB, or such other school approved by the Board and the
Department. Credit towards qualifying education requirements may be
obtained through the completion of a degree program in Real Estate from
an accredited degree-granting college or university, provided that the
institution’s curriculum has been reviewed and approved for credit by the
AQB.
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(d)
A written, proctored examination is required for all qualifying education
distance course offerings. The term “written” shall include an
examination taken on paper, or administered electronically on a computer
or other device.
(3)
Qualifying Examination Requirement.
(a)
Upon completion and satisfaction of the core education and experience
requirements set forth in the AQB Real Property Qualification Criteria for
the desired license or certification, an applicant must take and pass a
written examination offered and administered by a testing service pre-
approved by the Board and the Department.
(b)
To be eligible for the examination, an applicant shall present the following
to the Board and the Department:
(i)
Evidence that he or she is at least 18 years of age;
(ii)
Evidence of good moral character, as established by references
from individuals, schools and other records acceptable to the
Department;
(iii)
Official documentation of successful completion of the core
education requirements as set forth in the AQB Real Property
Qualification Criteria and described in Section 7(A)(2);
(iv)
The log evidencing the applicant's appraisal experience as set forth
in the AQB Real Property Qualification Criteria and described in
Section 7(A)(1); and
(v)
The authorization and waiver form for nationwide criminal history
background checks, as provided by the Department.
(c)
No applicant for licensure as a licensed, certified residential, or certified
general appraiser shall be permitted to take an examination for licensure or
certification more than three (3) times without the express consent of the
Board and the Department.
(d)
Applicants must take an examination within one (1) year of the issuance of
a test authorization card. Test scores will be held for a one (1) year period
from the date of examination. The Department shall keep applications on
file for two (2) years from the date of filing.
(e)
Any successful applicant who fails to remit the license fee within one (1)
year from the date of examination will be required to re-apply and pass the
written examination.
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(4)
Other General Requirements.
(a)
The Board or the Department may require an applicant to demonstrate by
competent evidence that he or she is qualified to hold a license or
certificate in accordance with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-
20.7-1, et seq., and these regulations. Such evidence may include letters of
specific reference or other written statements verifying or supporting the
application to be licensed or certified by the Department.
(b)
The Board or the Department may require, as a condition of licensure or
certification, an applicant to authorize the Board and/or the Department
the right to make such inquiries as it deems necessary or appropriate to
verify information contained in the application and/or required to be
provided by law or regulation. The authorization shall include, without
limitation, permission to request samples of previous work performed,
evaluations by prior employers of the applicant’s work product,
explanations as to type of work performed, verification of hours and terms
of employment, verification of educational experiences and courses taken,
and information from any source relevant to the application. An applicant
shall execute all authorization forms as the Board or the Department
deems necessary or appropriate to obtain such information.
(c)
Initial applicants, reciprocal applicants and renewal applicants for all
classifications of licensure must submit with their application a Criminal
History Record from the Bureau of Criminal Identification of the Rhode
Island State Police or the Rhode Island Department of Attorney General
for a nationwide criminal records check including fingerprint records. The
Criminal History Records must have complete dispositions or results of
any charges delineated or resolved in Rhode Island or in any state prior to
the Department of Business Regulation acting on the application.
(d)
Upon initial licensure and at all times thereafter, every licensee shall
ensure that the Department has on record the licensee’s current personal
name, firm affiliation, trade name, residence address and firm address.
Every licensee shall notify the Department in writing of each change of
personal name, firm affiliation, trade name, residence address and firm
address within ten days of the change. All addresses shall be sufficiently
descriptive to enable the Department to correspond with and locate the
licensee.
SECTION 9 TRAINEES
(A)
Initial Requirements for Licensure.
(1) Core Education. An applicant for a trainee license must demonstrate that he or she
has successfully completed the requisite core courses in accordance with AQB Real
Property Qualification Criteria in subjects related to real estate appraisal and USPAP
from a duly-licensed real estate school pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws
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§ 5-20.5-19, or a nationally recognized appraisal organization, college, university or
other school pre-approved by the AQB or such other school approved by the Board
and the Department.
(a) All qualifying education must be completed within the five (5) year period prior
to the date of submission of an application for a Trainee Appraiser credential.
(2) Experience. No appraisal experience shall be required as a prerequisite for a Trainee
Appraiser credential.
(B)
Responsibilities of a Trainee.
(1)
The holder of a trainee license shall work under "direct supervision," as that term
is defined in Section 2, of a "supervisory appraiser," who shall be an individual
who is a certified residential appraiser or a certified general appraiser in good
standing by the Department and who has acknowledged in writing an agreement
to perform the responsibilities of a supervisory appraiser set forth in Section 9(D).
(2)
Prior to starting any work as a trainee, the holder of a trainee license shall inform
the Department in writing of the identity of any individuals who have agreed to
serve as a "supervising appraiser" for the trainee. A Trainee Appraiser is
permitted to have more than one supervisory appraiser. The holder of a trainee
license shall inform the Department in writing, within seven days, in the event
that any individual previously designated as a "supervisory appraiser" ceases to
agree to perform the responsibilities of a "supervisory appraiser," or in the event
that any individual not previously designated as a "supervisory appraiser" agrees
to supervise the work product of the trainee.
(3)
The holder of a Trainee Appraiser license shall not solicit or maintain a direct
relationship with a client or a party or parties who engage an appraiser by
employment or contract in a specific assignment. The trainee shall not collect any
fees from the client, except when acting as an agent of the supervising appraiser.
The supervising appraiser shall ensure that any form of payment shall be directed
to the supervisory appraiser.
(4)
The holder of a Trainee Appraiser license shall not advertise. Any advertisement
in the name of a supervisory appraiser with whom the trainee is associated may
include the name of the trainee by clearly indicating such person as a trainee. This
shall not prohibit a trainee's use of standard business cards that clearly indicate
such person as a trainee.
(5)
The holder of a Trainee Appraiser license shall also have the following duties:
(a)
A Trainee Appraiser shall complete a course that, at a minimum, complies
with the specifications for course content established by the AQB. The
course will be oriented toward the requirements and responsibilities of
Supervisory Appraisers and expectations for Trainee Appraisers. The
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course must be completed prior to obtaining a Trainee Appraiser
credential.
(b)
The Trainee Appraiser shall ensure that their experience log is available at
all times for inspection by the Board or the Department.
(c)
When performing appraisal assignments, the trainee shall make readily
available upon request a copy of the license certificate issued by the
Department.
(d)
The trainee shall maintain and have in his or her custody a work file for
each appraisal assignment. The work file must be in existence prior to and
contemporaneous with the issuance of a written or oral report. A written
summary of an oral report must be added to the work file within a
reasonable time after the issuance of the oral report. Each work file must
include:
(i)
The name of the client and the identity, by name or type, of any
other intended users;
(ii) True copies of any written reports, documented on any type of
media;
(iii) Summaries of any oral reports or testimony, or a transcript of
testimony, including the appraiser’s signed and dated certification;
and
(iv) All other data, information, and documentation necessary to support
the appraiser's opinions and conclusions and to show compliance
with this regulation and all other applicable USPAP Standards, or
references to the location(s) of such other documentation.
(e)
When the trainee has obtained a new supervisory appraiser, the trainee and
supervisory appraiser shall file an affidavit memorializing the relationship.
(f)
The trainee shall comply with the provisions of the Uniform Standards of
Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).
(D)
Responsibilities of Supervisory Appraiser.
(1)
Any individual designated as a "supervisory appraiser" shall acknowledge in
writing to the Department that he or she agrees to perform all responsibilities set
forth in Section 9(D)(4).
(2)
Supervisory appraisers shall be in good standing with the Department and shall
not have received disciplinary action, within the last three years which has
affected their legal ability to engage in appraisal practice in this, or any other
state.
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(3)
Only those individuals who have been credentialed by the Department for at least
three (3) years as either a certified general real estate appraiser or a certified
residential real estate appraiser shall be a supervisory appraiser.
(4)
A supervisory appraiser shall also have the following duties:
(a)
The supervisory appraiser shall at all times be responsible for and provide
direct supervision of the work performed by the trainee.
(b)
The supervisory appraiser shall provide the trainee with a copy of any
final appraisal report in which the trainee's work product has been utilized
or in which the trainee made a professional contribution.
(c)
The supervisory appraiser shall notify the Department and his or her
trainee(s) in writing within ten (10) days if he or she ceases to perform or
is unable to perform the responsibilities set forth in this section.
(d)
A supervisory appraiser shall not supervise more than three (3) Trainee
Appraisers at one time.
(e)
The supervisory appraiser shall personally inspect, with the trainee, the
interior and exterior of each appraised property for a minimum of twenty-
five (25) appraisal assignments.
(f)
A supervisory appraiser shall complete a course that, at a minimum,
complies with the specifications for course content established by the
AQB. The course will be oriented toward the requirements and
responsibilities of Supervisory Appraisers and expectations for Trainees
Appraisers. The course must be completed by the Supervisory Appraiser
prior to supervising a Trainee Appraiser.
(g)
The supervisory appraiser shall prepare and furnish a signed statement
describing the nature and extent of the assistance rendered to each trainee
who provided services on an appraisal assignment. This statement shall be
placed in the work file of the appraisal assignment.
(h)
Failure to comply with this section may be deemed professional
misconduct.
(F)
Continuing education requirements for Trainee Appraisers.
An individual holding a trainee license for more than two years shall complete, by the
time each renewal application is submitted to the Department, the continuing education
requirements as established by "The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and
Interpretation of the Criteria," as promulgated by the AQB of the Appraisal Foundation,
as amended and supplemented, which are incorporated herein by reference as part of this
regulation.
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SECTION 10 DUTY TO MAINTAIN VERIFICATION OF EXPERIENCE
A person may be asked to verify his or her experience while licensed or certified. All persons
licensed or certified must maintain file data containing adequate written reports or file
memoranda to support his or her experience claim. Persons should not submit such data unless
requested to do so. Each person shall furnish, under oath, a detailed listing of the real estate
appraisal reports or file memoranda for each year for which experience is claimed by the person
on forms or in a manner required by the Board and/or the Department.
SECTION 11 CONTINUING EDUCATION
(A)
Continuing Education Requirements. As a prerequisite to license and certification
renewal by the Department, an applicant must present evidence satisfactory to the
Department that:
(1)
During the immediately preceding term of licensure and/or certification, the
applicant shall have completed the requisite classroom hours of instruction in
courses or seminars in accordance with AQB Real Property Qualification Criteria
from a duly-licensed real estate school pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen.
Laws § 5-20.5-19, or a nationally recognized appraisal organization, college,
university or other school approved by the Appraisal Qualifications Board of the
Appraisal Foundation or such other school as approved by the Board and the
Department. Qualifying education courses taken by a licensee to fulfill the class
hour requirement for a different classification than his/her current classification
may be simultaneously counted towards the continuing education requirement of
his/her current classification.
(2)
In lieu of meeting the requirements of Subsection (A)(1) of this Section, an
applicant for license or certification renewal may satisfy all or part of the renewal
requirements by presenting evidence of the following:
(a)
Completion of an educational program of study determined by the Board
and the Department to be the equivalent, for continuing educational
purposes, to meet the course requirements of Subsection (A)(1); and/or
(b)
One half of the total number of credits earned for participation as a
teacher/consultant in educational processes and programs approved by the
Board and the Department that relates to appraisal theory, practices, or
techniques, including but not necessarily limited to, teaching, program
development and preparation of textbooks, monographs, articles, and other
instructional material; and/or
(c)
Attendance at a Real Estate Appraisers Board meeting, provided that: (i)
credit may be awarded for only one Real Estate Appraisers Board meeting
per continuing education cycle or licensing period; (ii) the meeting must
be at least two hours in length; (iii) the applicant shall receive one credit
for each hour attended but cannot receive more than seven credit hours in
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total for the meeting; and (iv) the meeting must be open to the public.
Credit will not be given for attendance at such a meeting if the licensee’s
appearance was requested by the Board due to a pending complaint
against that licensee.
(B)
Course Approval. Any courses offered to satisfy any of the educational criteria set forth
herein must first be submitted and approved by the Board in writing. The Department
shall periodically publish a listing of all such courses approved.
SECTION 12 RECIPROCITY
(A)
General Requirements. The Department may, upon application, issue a license or
certificate to an applicant who has otherwise met the requirements for licensure and/or
certification in the State of Rhode Island without examination, provided the following
terms and conditions are met:
(1)
The applicant holds a valid credential from a state which is in compliance with
Title XI by the ASC.
(2) The credentialing requirements of that state as they exist at the time of application
for reciprocal license must meet or exceed those which currently exist in the State
of Rhode Island.
(3) The applicant has complied with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.7-16.
SECTION 13 TEMPORARY PRACTICE PERMITS
(A)
Upon satisfaction of the reciprocity criteria set forth in Section 8, the Department, upon
application, may issue a temporary license or certificate for a period not to exceed one
hundred eighty (180) days under the following conditions:
(1)
The property to be appraised is part of a federally-related or other transaction;
(2)
The applicant must be a certified or licensed appraiser;
(3)
The application is received before the appraisal assignment is commenced; and
(4)
The application identifies the specific assignment(s) or appraisal(s) at issue.
(B)
Permits may be extended until the completion of the assignment upon request to the
Department, up to a maximum of two extensions per assignment. If additional time is
required to complete the assignment or appraisal, a new application must be filed which
complies with Section 13(A). Requests for an extension must be received prior to the
expiration date of the last Temporary Practice Permit granted.
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SECTION 14
UNIFORM STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL PRACTICE
All appraisers licensed or certified pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.7-1, et seq., and these
regulations shall comply at all times with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal
Practice (“USPAP”).
SECTION 15
INSPECTION OF RECORDS
In order to reasonably effectuate the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.7-18, et seq., and this
regulation, every licensed or certified person shall make available for inspection by the Director,
or a designated representative, all records of transactions, books of account, instruments,
documents, and forms utilized or maintained by such person in the conduct of the performance of
appraisal assignments, that may be pertinent to the conduct of an investigation of any specific
complaint. All records pertaining to appraisals shall be made available upon demand. All other
records shall be made available upon reasonable notice.
SECTION 16 REPORTING CONVICTIONS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Any licensee who is convicted of any felony or misdemeanor, or who is disciplined by any
governmental agency in connection with any other occupational license, shall file with the
Department a written report of such conviction or disciplinary action within sixty (60) days of
the final judgment or final order in the case. Failure to do so shall be considered grounds for
revocation of appraiser credentials.
SECTION 17 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
(A)
Powers and Proceedings. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, enforcement
proceedings under this regulation shall be conducted in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws §
5-20.7-22 and the Department’s Central Management Regulation 2 – Rules of Procedure
for Administrative Hearings.
(B)
Complaints. A written complaint alleging an appraiser has violated any provisions of
R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-20.7-1, et seq., USPAP, or these regulations shall be filed with the
Department. Any person, including members of the Board, may file a complaint with
the Department. The Board or the Department may, upon its own motion, file a complaint
against a licensed appraiser or a person or entity conducting unlicensed appraisal activity.
(C)
Investigation of Complaints.
(1)
Upon receipt of a complaint or upon its own motion, the Board shall review and
investigate alleged acts or omissions, which the Board reasonably believes may
constitute cause for disciplinary action. In order to determine if probable cause
exists to conduct a hearing on a complaint, the investigator(s) designated by the
Chairperson of the Board shall cause an investigation to be made into the
allegations of the complaint.
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(2)
Upon completion of the investigation, the investigators shall prepare and submit
to the Board and the Department for its consideration a written report containing
statements of fact and recommendations of the investigator(s). Thereafter, the
Board may take one of the following actions by a vote:
(a)
Order the matter is further investigated.
(b)
Allow the appraiser who is the subject of the complaint an opportunity to
appear before the Board for an informal discussion regarding the facts and
circumstances of the alleged violation. The informal discussion shall
constitute a part of the Board’s investigation of the pending disciplinary
case. The Board may consider the facts discussed at the informal
discussion in the event the matter proceeds to a contested case hearing.
The Board may seek a consent order as a result of the informal discussion.
(c)
Determine that the investigation does not warrant a finding that there is a
basis for disciplinary action and that no probable cause exists to believe
violation has occurred, and close the case and take no further action.
(d)
Determine there is probable cause to believe that a violation has occurred
and recommend to the Director of the Department that the Department
proceed with a contested case hearing or other administrative enforcement
action.
SECTION 18 EFFECT OF SUBSEQUENT STATUTORY OR AQB CHANGES
Any changes in the Rhode Island General Laws pertaining to real estate appraiser certification or
licensure or the "Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria Effective January 1, 2015,"
promulgated by the AQB of the Appraisal Foundation, that affect the content, language or intent
of this regulation will be deemed adopted by the Department on the date of implementation of
the statutory or AQB change.
SECTION 19 SEVERABILITY
If any section, term, or provision of this regulation is adjudged invalid for any reason, that
judgment will not affect, impair, or invalidate any remaining section, term, or provision, which
shall remain in full force and effect.
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SECTION 20 EFFECTIVE DATE
This Regulation and the amendments thereto shall be effective as indicated below.
EFFECTIVE: December 12, 1996
REFILED:
January 19, 2001
AMENDED: March 18, 2004
AMENDED: January 31, 2008
AMENDED: October 28, 2008
AMENDED: June 20, 2011
AMENDED: August 22, 2013
AMENDED: April 15, 2014