AI Supports New Experience Pathways to Strengthen Appraiser Pipeline
In this issue:
- Support for Modernized Pathways: The Appraisal Institute backs expanded experience options that include foundational knowledge and supervised data collection, while upholding rigorous standards.
- Greater Flexibility in Supervision: AI recommends allowing firms to supervise trainees and recognizing relevant government and international appraisal experience.
- Focus on Quality and Oversight: AI urges strong AQB oversight of practicum programs and maintains that data collection alone shouldn't qualify for full experience credit.
- SRA Designated Member Advantage: AI launches SRA Designated Member Advantage campaign to boost visibility among residential users, with strong early engagement from attorneys and appraisers via LinkedIn ads and legal conferences.
Insights
National Nominating Committee Nominates Byron Miller as 2026 AI Vice President
Byron Miller, SRA, AI-RRS, was nominated for 2026 Appraisal Institute vice president by the AI National Nominating Committee at its May 7 meeting in Chicago.
National Nominating Committee Chair Sandy Adomatis, SRA, submitted the committee’s nomination to the AI Board of Directors. Board members may file petitions for additional nominees in accordance with the Appraisal Institute Bylaws. The AI Board of Directors is expected to elect the 2026 vice president at its August 14-15 meeting.
The 2026 vice president will serve as the Appraisal Institute’s 2027 president-elect, 2028 president and 2029 immediate past president, in addition to chairing the Finance Committee in 2026 and the National Nominating Committee in 2029.
Learn more about Byron Miller, SRA, AI-RRS.
Stay Informed: Q2 Board of Directors Recap – May 13
Mark your calendar for the Q2 Board of Directors Recap meeting on Tuesday, May 13 at 3PM ET. This important session will provide members with a summary of key actions, discussions, and decisions from the latest Board of Directors meeting. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay informed and connected with the direction of the Appraisal Institute.
Stay engaged—your voice and awareness help shape the future of the profession.
Appraisal Institute Supports New Experience Pathways for Aspiring Appraisers
The Appraisal Institute has submitted comments to the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) in response to its recent concept paper, “Additional Experience Options: Should They Have a Place in Appraiser Qualifications?” In its letter, AI voiced strong support for modernizing the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria by expanding pathways to gain experience while maintaining rigorous standards of public trust and professional competence.
AI welcomed the AQB’s shift in language from “alternative experience” to “additional experience,” emphasizing that the change better reflects the intent to enhance—not replace—traditional supervisory models. The letter highlighted AI’s longstanding commitment to competency-based qualifications, referencing the organization’s own Core Competency Matrix developed in 2010, which recognizes diverse professional backgrounds and life experiences as part of a holistic view of appraiser development.
Among the key recommendations:
- Allow up to 25% of required experience to be earned through verified “Foundational Knowledge” activities.
- Grant experience credit for data collection assignments performed by credentialed trainees under proper supervision.
- Increase flexibility for accepting government and international appraisal experience.
- Permit appraisal firms, not just individuals, to serve as supervisors to expand mentorship capacity.
- Ensure AQB oversight of practicum programs for quality and consistency.
The Appraisal Institute reaffirmed its opposition to awarding experience credit solely for data collection, underscoring the need to preserve the analytical integrity of the appraisal process. View the full letter here.
Your Benefits
Appraisal Institute Launches SRA Designated Member Advantage Campaign
The Appraisal Institute has launched the SRA Designated Member Advantage campaign to raise awareness of SRA Designated Members among residential users of appraisal services nationwide. At the center of the campaign are new professional video ads highlighting SRA Designated Members’ expertise, professionalism, and key role in complex residential real estate matters.
Phase one targets real estate attorneys through LinkedIn ads and outreach at major legal conferences such as the American Bar Association Real Property Trusts and Estates conferences, positioning SRA Designated Members as trusted partners for legal professionals handling trusts, estates, property disputes, and more. Future phases will expand to reach mortgage lenders and government agencies, reinforcing the Appraisal Institute’s commitment to promoting its members to sectors that require the highest valuation standards.
Early Results Show Strong Engagement
The campaign is already delivering promising results across digital and event-based channels:
LinkedIn Ads (April 29 – May 6)
- 251 page views from real estate attorneys
- 610 page views from real estate appraisers
ABA Conference Growth Campaign
- 250 clicks on the “Search” button, including ~50 direct appraiser searches
- 0.4% click-through rate—5x the industry average
- ~400,000 impressions
This campaign is a key step in elevating the visibility and value of SRA Designated Members across industries that depend on credible, high-quality valuation services.
Trending Topics Thursdays:
Sign up for our next free webinar
Appraising the Profession: Chief Appraisers on Trends, Performance, and the Road Ahead
Thursday, May 22, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (CT)
Join us for a candid conversation with two leading chief appraisers—one in commercial real estate and one in residential—as they share what they’re seeing across the profession today.
In this exclusive webinar, you’ll gain insight into the trends shaping the valuation landscape, how chief appraisers are evaluating appraiser performance, and the guidance they’re offering to help appraisers thrive in a changing environment. Whether you specialize in residential or commercial work, this session will offer practical takeaways and thought-provoking commentary from two voices at the center of the industry.
Panelists:
- Tom Boyle, MAI, Chief Appraiser, US Bank
- Michelle Rogers, SRA, Chief Valuation Officer, New American Funding
Advocacy Updates
Appraisal Industry Improvement Act Set for Reintroduction in U.S. Senate
Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) are preparing to reintroduce the Appraisal Industry Improvement Act (AIIA) —bipartisan legislation aimed at modernizing the real estate appraisal profession and addressing key regulatory and workforce challenges.
Key provisions of the AIIA include:
- Expanded Eligibility for FHA Appraisals: Reopens the door for state-licensed appraisers to conduct FHA appraisals if they meet specific education or experience requirements—improving capacity without compromising quality.
- Improved Federal Alignment: Adds representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs and USDA Rural Housing Service to the Appraisal Subcommittee, bringing critical housing expertise to the federal oversight body.
- Trainee Appraisers on the National Registry: Authorizes inclusion of trainees in the national registry, giving lenders greater confidence to engage them and accelerating their path to licensure.
- State Regulatory Support: Enables the ASC to award grants to state licensing agencies for training, education, and recruitment—tools essential for addressing workforce shortages.
- Flexible AMC Registry Fees: Grants the ASC authority to adjust appraisal management company (AMC) registry fees as needed to better reflect market realities.
The Appraisal Institute strongly supports the AIIA and is advocating for its inclusion—alongside the Portal for Appraisal Licensing (PAL) Act—in any housing package advanced by Congress this session. Together, these bills represent meaningful reforms that will help stabilize the appraisal pipeline, improve interagency coordination, and expand opportunities for new entrants to the profession.
Real Estate Horizons
Stay updated and check out links to the latest major real estate industry stories!
More Opportunities to Learn
Search the latest educational offerings! Find National and Chapter-sponsored classroom, synchronous, and online opportunities.
Your Community
Appraisal Institute Named a Top Appraisal School by HousingWire
We’re proud to share that the Appraisal Institute has been named one of the six best real estate appraisal schools for 2025 by HousingWire in its trusted Vetted by HousingWire series.
Your Voice. Your Advocacy. Your Impact.
The article highlights the Appraisal Institute as the best choice for industry reputation and advanced credentials, citing our longstanding commitment to ethics, professionalism, and rigorous education standards. It also spotlights the value of our prestigious MAI and SRA designations, which set appraisers apart and support long-term career growth.
“If you’re just starting your career or if you’re a seasoned veteran looking to advance your career, the Appraisal Institute is the perfect choice to achieve your long-term career goals.” — HousingWire
We’re honored to be recognized alongside other respected education providers and remain committed to empowering the next generation of appraisers through top-tier learning and professional development opportunities.
Read the full article.
Explore our education offerings.