The Short Answer
To become a real estate appraiser in New York, you start as an appraiser assistant: complete 87 hours of qualifying education (including a 4-hour supervisory course), find a certified appraiser to supervise you, and log experience hours. As you add education and experience, you can move up to licensed residential, certified residential, or certified general, each of which requires passing the national appraiser exam.
New York Appraiser License Levels
Requirements below apply to applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026.
| License Level | Qualifying Education | Experience | What You Can Appraise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appraiser Assistant | 87 hours | None to start | Works under a supervising certified appraiser |
| Licensed Residential | 158 hours | 1,000 hours | Residential properties, within state limits |
| Certified Residential | 203 hours, plus a college-level requirement | 1,500 hours | 1–4 unit residential properties |
| Certified General | 300+ hours, plus a bachelor's degree | 3,000 hours | All property types, including commercial |
Requirements change. Confirm current education, experience, and exam rules on the Department of State's appraiser FAQ before you enroll.
How to Become an Appraiser in NY: 5 Steps
1. Find a supervisory appraiser first. This is the hardest step, so do it before you pay for any courses. See our advice below.
2. Complete your assistant qualifying education. Take 87 hours of approved courses, including the 4-hour Supervisory Appraiser/Trainee Appraiser Course, which your supervisor must take too.
3. Apply for your appraiser assistant license with the Department of State. The fee is $250 for two years.
4. Log your experience hours under your supervisor while completing the additional education for the level you want.
5. Pass the national exam and upgrade to licensed residential, certified residential, or certified general. The fee for these licenses is $355 for two years.
INSIDER ADVICE
How to Find a Supervisory Appraiser
Start calling and interviewing certified appraisers before you take a single course. They'll hire you as an assistant, and once you and your supervisor both complete the 4-hour supervisory course, you can start documenting your experience hours.
Why do this first? Many certified residential appraisers aren't hiring assistants. It's not that they don't need help. New York requires assistants to be closely supervised for all of their experience hours, which takes time away from the appraiser's own workload.
Tip: Show a supervisor how you'll save them time, like handling photos, records research, and data entry. It makes the arrangement worth it to them.
What Does an Appraiser Do?
An appraiser gives a written, unbiased opinion of a property's value. Day to day, that means inspecting and photographing properties, researching county and city records, comparing recent sales, and preparing appraisal reports for lenders, buyers, sellers, and attorneys.
How Much Do Appraisers Make in New York?
Income depends on your license level and the work you take on. According to Salary.com's 2025 data, certified residential appraisers earned a median of about $90,000, and certified general appraisers about $129,000. Many appraisers also value the flexible schedule and independent work.
Already Licensed? Manfred Has Your CE
New York appraisers need 28 hours of CE every two years, including 7-hour USPAP and the new Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course. Take them as live webinars, or get unlimited CE with a Manfred Membership.
See Appraiser CE Webinars 2026 CE RequirementsComps and Property Data for NY Appraisers
MYStateMLS gives appraisers statewide property data and comparables, powered by HouseCanary, without paying multiple local board fees. Learn how to join.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an appraiser in New York?
The assistant education can take a few weeks to a few months. Moving up to licensed or certified takes longer, because you need 1,000 to 3,000 hours of supervised experience, which usually takes one to several years.
Do I need a college degree to be an appraiser in NY?
Not for appraiser assistant or licensed residential. Certified residential has a college-level requirement with several options, and certified general requires a bachelor's degree.
Is there an exam for an appraiser assistant license?
No. The national appraiser exam is required when you upgrade to licensed residential, certified residential, or certified general.
How do I renew my New York appraiser license?
Complete 28 hours of approved CE, including the 7-hour USPAP Update and the required Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course, then renew online with the Department of State every two years.