What is AI PAREA?
The Appraisal Institute Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (AI PAREA) is an alternative to the traditional supervisor and trainee requirement for experience for the Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser (LR) and Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser (CR) credentials. It’s an online program providing simulations that show participants how to apply appraisal theory and methodology to real-world examples, with mentoring and guidance from appraisers who hold the most recognized designations in the profession and have a combined 150 years of experience.
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How does AI PAREA work?
With the help of an assigned mentor, you will appraise properties in a simulated environment, applying what you learned from your qualifying or pre-licensing education to real-life situations. You’ll meet regularly with your assigned mentor for support and guidance as you work through 10 practice assignments and other immersive activities.
You’ll finish the program by completing three graded USPAP-compliant appraisal reports on your own.
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How do I enroll in AI PAREA?
Ready to get started? Enroll in AI PAREA.
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How long will it take to complete AI PAREA?
One of the benefits of AI PAREA is that you can complete the program modules at your own pace, with required mentor check-ins. We anticipate most participants will finish the program within 18 months, including 12 months for the practice assignments and immersive activities, and six months for the three final assignments.
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Can I use AI PAREA to complete my licensing requirements?
Yes! Here’s how:
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Education Hours: Before enrolling in AI PAREA, complete a readiness checklist to make sure you meet the minimum education requirements set by the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB). Our team will help you verify your qualifying education credits to ensure you’re eligible.
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Experience: AI PAREA fulfills the AQB experience requirement in many states. Check if it fulfills the requirement in your state!
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Examination: Once you meet the education and experience requirements, all that’s left is to pass the appropriate National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination to become either a Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser (LR) or Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser (CR).
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What states accept AI PAREA?
Check if your state accepts AI PAREA.
If your state does not accept AI PAREA:
The Appraisal Qualifications Board specifies that as a PAREA provider, AI must ensure our program is accepted in the state in which you plan to be credentialed before we can accept you into our program.
Before starting a PAREA program, you should check with your state regulatory board or authority to make sure the PAREA program experience will be accepted and determine if there are any additional requirements in your state. For example, some states may require additional state-specific education and/or that qualifying education be completed less than five years before applying for a license.
Until your state accepts PAREA, you will not be eligible to enroll.
Reciprocity as an Alternative
Some states that do not accept PAREA will issue licensed residential and certified residential credentials if those credentials were earned in other states (this is called “reciprocity”). If you live in a state that doesn’t accept PAREA as an experience alternative, you may be able to obtain credentials in a different state from which reciprocity is accepted.
Be sure to verify with your state regulatory board or authority before enrolling in PAREA.
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When can I enroll in AI PAREA?
Whenever you’re ready! Enrollment is always open.
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Do I need to be affiliated with the Appraisal Institute to enroll in AI PAREA?
No, but if you join AI as a Practicing Affiliate, you’ll get a discounted rate for the program, along with many other timely benefits. So why not join? Learn more about joining AI.
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What is the cost for AI PAREA?
AI PAREA for AI Professionals: $3,995
AI PAREA for Non-Members: $4,425
The special AI PAREA launch rate is $368.75 per month over 12 months (or $4,425 for the whole program).
AI Professionals save $430 off the program fee ($3,995 for the program)! Learn more about how to become an AI Professional.
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Are discounts available?
Our team is here to ensure that financial constraints don’t prevent you from achieving your goals.
Monthly or quarterly payment plans are also available. And remember: Practicing Affiliates receive a discounted rate for the program. Join AI.
You also may qualify for a scholarship! Learn more about scholarship opportunities for AI PAREA.
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Are scholarships available?
There are multiple scholarships opportunities that can apply to AI PAREA.
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The Appraisal Institute Education Relief Fund (AIERF) is developing scholarships for AI PAREA participants. Learn more.
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The Appraisal Foundation is developing scholarships for PAREA.
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Do I need to complete prerequisites before I can enroll in AI PAREA?
Yes, all appropriate qualifying education needs to be completed before you can enroll. Here are the requirements for the Licensed Residential and Certified Residential tracks:
Licensed Residential (150 hours total of QE courses or approved university equivalents):
The Appraisal Institute also offers online education packages to fulfill these requirements.
Certified Residential (200 hours total of QE courses or approved university equivalents):
The required hours are the same as Licensed Residential (LR) above, but with three additional course requirements:
To enroll in the Certified Residential track, you must also already have:
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A valid Licensed Residential (LR) credential; or
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Successful completion of a PAREA program for Licensed Residential (LR)
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Do I need to complete my prerequisite qualifying education with the Appraisal institute to enroll in AI PAREA?
No. You are eligible to enroll in AI PAREA regardless of your qualifying education provider.
AI provides best-in-class education! Consider fulfilling your qualifying education prerequisite with us
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Does it matter when I completed my qualifying education?
No. Qualifying education completions, regardless of when they were completed, will meet the program requirements for enrolling in AI PAREA.
However, qualifying education must be less than five years old for licensing purposes in most states.
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How do I obtain an AI PAREA mentor?
Don’t worry! We’ll assign you an experienced mentor to assist you throughout the program.
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Does AI PAREA include any in-person experience?
Though AI PAREA does not specifically include in-person interaction, by participating in the program, you get access to various in-person events through local AI chapters around the country, connecting you with a vast network of appraisers with tremendous knowledge and experience.
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Does AI provide career opportunities during or after the program?
Your assigned mentor is there to help guide you to the next step in your career, as well as complete the AI PAREA program. Use your regular meetings to lean on their support and expertise in achieving your goals. As a program participant, you’ll also have access to AI's vast network of local chapters, which is an invaluable springboard for career growth.
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Will I complete assignments particular to my geographic area during the program?
AI PAREA practice assignments use properties throughout the country. You’ll complete assignments from multiple geographic areas. As a program participant, you also gain access to AI Chapter events, connecting you with local appraisers with knowledge of local markets and properties.
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Can I still enroll in AI PAREA if I’ve already started working with a certified appraiser to gain experience hours?
Yes, but any hours you complete as a trainee cannot be applied to AI PAREA. Unlike the traditional experience model, which is based on the accumulation of hours, AI PAREA is proficiency-based.
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What is the refund policy if I need to cancel my AI PAREA enrollment?
If you’ve already started the program but can’t finish it, you can cancel out within 10 days and receive a 100% refund of the entire registration fee with no cancellation fee.
After 10 days, the refund amount is based on the amount of material completed in the program, minus a $150 cancellation fee. AI PAREA program assignments that have not been completed can be refunded 100%. Program assignments that have been completed will not be refunded.
If you cancel your program and then decide to enroll again later, you will need to pay a new full registration fee and start the program over from the beginning.
To cancel your program, contact AI at aiparea@appraisalinstitute.org or 312-335-4493.
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How do I get an extension if I need more time to complete AI PAREA?
Your mentor will be there to support and help you work through the program to complete it within the 18-month timeline.
Though we believe this timeline is sufficient, we understand that unforeseen circumstances can occur.
An extension may be possible for unusual situations and must be requested before the expiration of the 18-month access window. Please contact AI at aiparea@appraisalinstitute.org or 312-335-4493 with any questions.
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If I don’t successfully complete one of the three final graded appraisal reports in AI PAREA, can I resubmit it later?
Yes! You can resubmit each of the three final assignments once.
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Do I get state or AI CE credit?
No. AI PAREA fulfills the AQB experience requirement. It is not an education offering.
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Do I get credit towards the SRA or MAI designation?
No. AI PAREA assignments and activities can’t be applied toward designation requirements.
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What is the relationship between ADI and PAREA?
The Appraiser Diversity Initiative (ADI) is the premier nationwide program designed to attract new entrants to the real estate appraisal field while fostering diversity in the profession. ADI’s core partners include Appraisal Institute, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the National Urban League.
The ADI program provides opportunities to aspiring appraisers and exposes new appraisers to the AI Body of Knowledge and the profession’s best education.
Learn more about the Appraiser Diversity Initiative.
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I completed a PAREA program for my experience towards the Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser (LR) credential. Is it possible to complete the remaining experience towards the Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser (CR) credential through the traditional supervisor-trainee model?
Participants who complete a PAREA program for the LR credential earn 67% experience credit for the CR credential. It’s up to each state to decide if the remaining 33% can be earned through the traditional supervisor-trainee experience model to fully satisfy the CR experience requirement.
Some states will require the completion of CR PAREA if LR PAREA was previously completed. Those states will not allow a combination of LR PAREA + 33% traditional experience to satisfy the CR experience requirement.
You should check with your state regulatory board or authority to determine their requirements.
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What are the minimum system configuration hardware requirements for AI PAREA?
For the best experience, here are minimum hardware requirements:
Windows:
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Processor: Intel i3 (5th Gen)
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RAM: 8 GB
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Graphics: Onboard Intel Graphics
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Platform: Windows 10 / 11
Mac:
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MacBook Air (2018) Processor: Intel i5
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RAM: 8 GB
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Graphics: Onboard Intel Graphics
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Note: The appraisal form software included with AI PAREA enrollment is for PC Windows only. It will run on a Mac using a Windows emulator such as Parallels Desktop.
Minimum Bandwidth Requirement:
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25 Mbps for download
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3 Mbps for upload
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What are the browser requirements to take AI PAREA?
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Desktop Browser |
Desktop Platform |
Browser Version |
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Google Chrome |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
75 or newer |
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Mozilla Firefox |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
65 or newer |
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Apple Safari |
macOS |
15 or newer |
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Microsoft Edge |
Windows, macOS, Linux |
79 or newer |
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What software and materials will I need to complete the practice assignments?
You’ll be given access to appraisal form software and a subscription to a Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as part of the AI PAREA program.
Program materials will be provided in Microsoft Excel (XLSx), Microsoft Word (DOCx), Adobe Reader (PDF), graphics (JPG/PNG), audio (MP3/WAV), and video (MP4) formats. You will be required to have the appropriate software capable of accessing and viewing the program material files.
Any other materials needed to complete the program will be electronically available during the program.
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Do I have to start and finish AI PAREA on the same device?
Yes, your progress through the practice assignments is tracked locally on your computer. This means you must start and finish AI PAREA on the same computer. If you switch computers or browsers during the program, you may have to click through to repeat some previous material.
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Are mobile devices supported for AI PAREA?
Yes, but we recommend you use a personal computer. Although you can access AI PAREA on your mobile device through any mobile browser, you will be viewing and completing various assignments using appraisal forms and spreadsheets that are much better suited to a computer.
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Who do I contact if I have additional questions about AI PAREA?
Please email aiparea@appraisalinstitute.org or call (312) 335-4493 if you have any questions or comments about the AI PAREA program.
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