If I am affiliated with the Appraisal Institute, will I receive discounts on classroom and online education?

Yes. Designated members, Candidates for Designation, Practicing Affiliates and Affiliates receive education discounts on Qualifying Education, Continuing Education and Professional Development Programs.

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If I am affiliated with the Appraisal Institute, will I receive education discounts on AI Designation Education?

Only Designated members, Candidates for Designation and Practicing Affiliates will receive the education discount on AI Designation Education courses.

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If I qualify to receive an education discount, how much of a discount will I receive?

You may receive up to 30% off of Appraisal Institute classroom and online education.

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What is the difference between AI Price and Full Price?

AI Price is the cost to Designated members, Candidates for Designation and Practicing Affiliates (for all education programs) and to Affiliates (for Qualifying Education, Continuing Education and Professional Development Programs). 

Full Price is the cost to those not affiliated with the Appraisal Institute and to those Affiliates registering for AI designation education.

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How do I become Appraisal Institute-affiliated to receive the education discounts?

Join the Appraisal Institute now!  Go to the online application to join and receive education discounts!

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How do I submit a report that may have Standards or Ethics violations?

If you have a problem with an appraisal report prepared by an Appraisal Institute Member, Candidate or Practicing Affiliate you can submit the matter to the Appraisal Institute Professional Practice Department for review.  For more information on the process, please see the enforcement page.

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Can I be notified of the results of a referral to your department?

Because the Appraisal Institute peer review proceedings are confidential, you should not expect to hear about the status or results of your referral, although certain types of disciplinary actions are published.  If a Designated member, Candidate for Designation, Practicing Affiliate, or Affiliate receives a disciplinary action of censure, suspension or expulsion, the Appraisal Institute publishes a notice of the disciplinary action imposed and the ethical rules violated.  You can find this information on the enforcement page.

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I am having trouble accessing the Hot Topics - who can I contact?

Hot Topics are only available to Appraisal Institute Members, Candidates, Practicing Affiliates and Affiliates and require a valid login.  If you are a Member, Candidate, Practicing Affiliate or Affiliate and you cannot access the article you need, please contact the Lum Library at 312-3354467 or ailibrary@appraisalinstitute.org.

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I have a professional practice question that is not addressed in this section - who can I contact?

The Appraisal Institute provides free assistance to its Members, Candidates, Practicing Affiliates and Affiliates on professional practice issues.  Members, Candidates, Practicing Affiliates and Affiliates can direct their inquiries concerning professional practice and the application of the Code of Ethics and Standards to the Senior Manager of Ethics and Standards - learn more.

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Who do I contact for questions or information about on demand online education?

Please contact us at ol-help@appraisalinstitute.org or 312-335-4473.

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What programs are offered?

We have several course and seminar offerings available now. Click here to view all AI programs, and search for Online. New programs are being offered all the time, so be sure to come back and check the website often.

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What discounted online packages are available?

We have several online discounted packages available offering 15% off the AI price or the full price.

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How does on demand online education work?

The online education system has been built with your convenience and educational satisfaction in mind. The system features:

• Begin online on-demand classes anytime. For online on-demand programs, after you register, you can begin anytime.  You do not need to wait for an official start date to access your program.  You start at your convenience.
• Longer online on-demand access. We are all busy. Sometimes we cannot finish an online on-demand class as soon as we had planned.  Appraisal Institute online on-demand  programs have at least 90 days of access after the date YOU choose to begin. 
• Self-paced to meet your availability. You do not have to attend at scheduled times — you work at your pace, not the instructor’s pace. For example, you can work for one hour and then log off and come back three days later and work for another hour or two. When you return, you always pick up your class right where you left off.
• Convenient, always accessible, certificates of completion. After completion of the program, a PDF certificate will be available to you for download on the Appraisal Institute website.  No missed certificate emails!  Plus, the certificate will remain available on the website indefinitely if you need to download it in the future.

 

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What are the system requirements? Are mobile devices supported?

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How do I start an online education program? When does my access length begin, end, or lapse?

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I need more time to complete. How do I extend an on demand online education program?

If you are unable to complete the online course before access ends, you may request a 30-day extension for a fee of $30.00. Only one 30-day extension is available. The extension may be purchased during the online course or during a grace period up to 30-days after course access has ended. If you do not contact us for an extension by the end of the grace period, all tuition fees will be forfeited.

To purchase an extension, log onto your AI Account and click on Education and Events located on the navigation menu. On the My Events page, scroll down to the Online Courses section and click on the Purchase Extension button. It may take up to 15 minutes for the course to be re-activated.

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How do I cancel an on demand online education program?

• Less than 25% of the program completed: $60 cancellation fee
• More than 25% of the program completed: no tuition refund

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Do I need to purchase a text or additional materials to successfully complete the program?

In general, all of the program content is provided online. Some programs, however, may offer supplementary offline materials to enhance the learning process. Some courses may also have required or optional textbooks. Please check the program description for specific information.

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Can I receive state pre-licensure or continuing education credit for online programs? What about Appraisal Institute continuing education credit?

As with all our continuing education programs, each individual state must approve a program for pre-licensure and/or continuing education credit. The online programs have been submitted to all states that approve online education and The Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) of the Appraisal Foundation for approval. Visit our State Appraisal Boards Approvals page for details. All of our online education programs also carry Appraisal Institute education credit for Appraisal Institute professionals, Candidates for Designation and Practicing Affiliates. Check the program description for specific information.

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Can I access an online program for study purposes after the expiration date?

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Do the programs have instructors?

Yes. The role of the faculty however is different from the traditional classroom. Rather than delivering lectures, our instructors serve as facilitators. They are available to answer questions and guide discussions via e-mail and online discussion groups during the entire length of the program.  Instructors also may review or grade assignments in programs that contain assignments.

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How do I request a completion certificate?

After completion of an online program, a PDF certificate will be available to you for download on the Appraisal Institute website.  After you login, click on Education and Events in the navigation menu on the right.  Find your online program and you will see a link to the certificate.  The certificate will remain available on the website indefinitely if you need to download it in the future. You can also add more states if you need additional certificates.

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What is the difference between a course and seminar?

Our online education programs are either courses or seminars. Courses are generally more intensive, with more content and credit hours. Courses usually require an offline proctored exam. Additionally, some states recognize online courses for pre-licensure credit.

Seminars, however, are developed on specific practice-related issues and help you fulfill continuing education requirements.

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How can I disable my popup blocking software?

Pop-ups are windows that appear automatically and without your permission. They often display advertising that can interfere with your ability to see the content on the page you're trying to read. A pop-up blocker works with your Internet browser to prevent pop-up windows from automatically opening when you visit a web site. Unfortunately, blocking all pop-ups may prevent important features in our online programs from working. We recommend that you turn off any pop-up blockers while using our online education programs.

You can turn on and off most pop-up blockers at any time. You can also add angellearning.com to an "allow list." This will allow pop-ups for Appraisal Institute sites, while blocking pop-ups for all other sites.

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I login but do not see the program I am registered for.

It can take up to an hour after you register for the course to become available in your Education and Events list. If the course is still not available an hour after registration, please contact us at ol-help@appraisalinstitute.org or 312-335-4473.

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After I login to my class, I get a blank screen in the online education system.

Many websites, including the online education system, auto refresh every few minutes to keep content current.  There are browser settings to shut this off. For example in Internet Explorer -> Tools -> Internet Options, “Security” tab, [Custom Level], Allow Meta Refresh = Disabled.

However, the online education system requires the browser auto refresh to be on. If you turned off the browser auto refresh option, you may get a blank page, usually with a meta tag labeled “startDotNetFirst.aspx”.  When you enable again “Allow Meta Refresh,” the page will be back to normal operation.

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The pages aren't linked. Why can't I click on any pages in the first module?

You must proceed linearly in the program. You probably haven't completed the pages in the Introduction module yet, which must be completed before going to the first content module. Go back to the Introduction module and complete those pages, then when you get to Module 1, the first page should be active. You may have to refresh the page to see the active link.

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How can I print out (or get a PDF of) the program content?

The program content is printable. You can print one page at a time if you wish. Also, a PDF containing all of the program content is available in the Conclusion module. The PDF is only available after all of the online content has been accessed and successfully completed. Our regulators suggest this method so that your time online can be tracked more accurately to insure credit.

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How do I post a response to a discussion?

Click on the "New Post" button. Type in your response. Then, click the "Submit" button. After submitting your response, click the "Next" button to advance to the next page.

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How do I create an attachment, attach a file, and submit?

In order to attach files, you must first create a file to attach. The file usually should be a Word document, PDF, JPG image, or Excel sheet. Once the file is created you will need to save the file to a location on your computer.

When you come back to your course to submit an attachment, click the ‘Attachment’ button and a new window will appear. Click ‘Browse’ to look for the file you wish to attach; this will be the file you originally created and saved to a location on your computer. You will click the file name and it will be inserted in the window, then click ‘Finished.’

Finally, you will add a title and a message and then click ‘Submit.’

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I passed the quiz but I cannot move to the next module. It asks me for a password or tells me I have not passed the quiz.

Please contact us at ol-help@appraisalinstitute.org or 312-335-4473.

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Why am I required to get 80% of the quiz questions correct?

A quiz at the end of the module assesses your mastery of the module learning objectives. The learning objectives must be mastered to continue to the next module. 80% is generally accepted by regulators to insure mastery.

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Why can't I re-take the quizzes to practice for the offline exam?

We don’t allow multiple re-takes of the quizzes because we only have a certain number of quiz questions in each quiz pool. From the regulator perspective, the quiz questions are designed to be used as incremental assessments, not as practice problems.

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I have completed the program, but did not receive a completion certificate.

The certificate of completion is available (usually within one hour) under My Account>Education and Events - when all the program content has been completed and any applicable assignments have been submitted and /or graded. This includes completing the pages in the Conclusion module and the mandatory program evaluation. 

If you complete the content but not the mandatory program evaluation, in order to make your completion certificate available, please do the following:

1. Log on to your program.
2. Go to the Conclusion module.
3. Go to the Program Quality Evaluation page, fill it out and submit.
4. After you submit, you usually will still need to click Next to advance to the very last page of the online program to insure the completion is recorded in the system.

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I completed the evaluation, but still did not receive my completion certificate and/or exam instructions?

Certificates

To obtain your certificates, please go to the Appraisal Institute website at www.appraisalinstitute.org and click on Login. Click on the My Account button. Click on Education and Events located on the blue navigation menu to view and access your education information. Once on your My Events page, scroll down to the Online Courses section and click on the View button next to your course then click on the print certificate button.

Exam

In one business day after successfully completing all of the online course content and assignments, you may schedule the final, offline proctored exam on the Pearson VUE - Appraisal Institute Educational Examinations website at https://home.pearsonvue.com/ai.  On this page, you will need to create a Pearson VUE account, if you have not done so already.  You will need the email address you used to register for the online course, as well as your AI account number to create the Pearson VUE account. If you experience any problems or have additional questions, contact Education Delivery Services at education@appraisalinstitute.org or call 312-335-4207.  

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How are the online 7-Hour and 15-Hour USPAP programs different from other online programs?

Please visit: https://www.appraisalinstitute.org/education/about-ai-education/contact-education-department/on-demand-online-education-uspap-faq/

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What is Accreditation Requirements Progress?

Some states ("accrediting bodies") may have requirements for online education that are different from the Appraisal Institute.  For example, a particular state may require an online exam for CE, or that you the amount of time you are online be at least the same as the number of approved hours for that online program.

The Accreditation Requirements Progress page in each online education program is the way to monitor your progress towards requirements for credit, from the various accrediting bodies (states) in which you have a credential. 

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What do I do if Accreditation Requirements Progress shows that I have not yet met one or more requirements?

If you need to complete an additional content item to meet your state's requirements, such as an online final exam, a link will be provided.

Note: Once you have started an online final exam, you will not have access to the online program content until after you have successfully passed the exam.

If you need to complete more time in the online program to meet your state's minimum time requirement, log back into the program and review the content for the required amount of time.  Once you have completed the required time, you will be able to advance to the Conclusion module to complete the remaining pages and mandatory program evaluation. 

Note: Each content item (e.g. page, quiz, discussion) has a maximum amount of time that will be recorded for that item.  You cannot stay on one page, quiz, etc. the entire time to meet your state requirement.  

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What if my accrediting body or credit type isn't listed in the Accreditation Requirements Progress?

You can add all your state credentials when you register for an online program. 

To add a state after you have started a program, please contact Technology-Based Education online education support at ol-help@appraisalinstitute.org or 312-335-4473.

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Does USPAP work like other online education programs?

Most processes for Appraisal Institute online education apply to USPAP programs as well, but see the program description, and the specific FAQs on this page for some exceptions. 

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How does USPAP work?

The Appraisal Foundation mandates the design of online USPAP courses.

The Foundation requires students to achieve 100% quiz mastery in a minimum of two passes through the content of each module. The exception to this rule is when a student achieves 100% quiz mastery in the first pass. In this case, the student does not need to make additional passes and can move on to the next module. If a student doesn’t achieve 100% mastery in the first pass, he or she has must complete as many passes as necessary to achieve 100%.

If a student gets less than 50% in the first pass, the attempt is assumed to be guessing, and is not counted. The system resets any mastery for this pass to 0%.

The first and second passes display the course content along with the quiz questions. After the second pass, students only attempt the quiz questions without viewing the course content. When the remaining number of questions to be mastered for the module is less than five, the system adds filler questions to bring the count to a minimum of five.

Students also complete a pre-course and post-course diagnostic quiz to measure learning in the course.

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What are the minimum system requirements and supported browsers?

 

OS	Browsers
Windows 7 minimum	Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome: Latest release and latest - 1 release
Mac 10.8.3 minimum	Apple Safari, Google Chrome: Latest release and latest - 1 release

We do not formally support the use of mobile devices/browsers for USPAP, however, the application functions well with a minimum of iOS 7 on an iPad 1, iPad 2, and iPad 3, with the Safari mobile browser.

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What is the best screen resolution for USPAP courses?

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How do I view USPAP course progress? How do I view quiz questions?

Once you have started the course, you can log off by clicking on Exit Course in the top right area and return into the system later exactly where you left off.  

After you have mastered a module, you can always review the module using the Menu icon in the upper left hand corner. You can review in one of three ways: content only, quiz questions only, or content and quiz questions.

During review, the quiz questions work exactly as they did before, but since you have already mastered them, nothing is being tracked. You can review as little or as much as you wish.

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If my question is not answered in the FAQs, who do I contact about live online (synchronous) programs or webinars?

Please contact us at sync@appraisalinstitute.org or 312-335-4473.

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What live (synchronous) programs and webinars are offered? Where can I register?

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How do live online (synchronous) programs and webinars work?

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What hardware and software do I need? I did not receive the connection information?

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What materials do I receive?

• By default, after registration you can download materials online from your Education and Events page under My Account when you login to the Appraisal Institute website.
• You can choose to have materials mailed to you. Printing and shipping fees will apply. In addition, depending on the date you register, some mailed materials may not arrive before the program starts.

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How is attendance measured?

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What credit is available for live online (synchronous) programs and webinars? How do I receive the completion certificate?

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How do I take the exam?

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The connection link is not working, loading, or launching?

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I cannot hear or there is no audio.

There are two options for audio:

1. Telephone: If you want to use the phone (long distance charges may apply), select Telephone under the Audio tab in the Control Panel, then enter the Access code shown, and then enter the PIN number shown. If the phone is not connecting, you can click the "Need Audio Help" link in the same tab and an alternate phone number is available.
2. Computer Audio: Select Mic & Speakers under the Audio tab in the Control Panel. You can click "Audio Settings" to test the audio on your computer. Because the quality of computer audio depends on the quality of your Internet connection, you will want to close any other applications that update frequently using the Internet (email, chat), plus stop any streaming audio/video. If the quality of computer audio is unacceptable, we suggest you switch to the Telephone option and dial the number and access code.

If you still cannot hear after trying both options, please log out and log back in again.

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I don't see the presentation or I am seeing blank screen/grey screen.

Please log off and log back in using the same connection information.

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Can I get a recording of a session?

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The camera icon for screen capture is not showing.

Make sure that the Zoom percentage on the top-left side of your viewer is reduced so that you see the entire presentation window. The camera should appear on top right side.

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I was not able to complete the evaluation at the end of the session.

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Where do I find the links to Appraisal Institute chapter websites?

All of the information about Appraisal Institute regions, chapters, leadership and committees is found in the “About Us” section, which is the final tab on the main site’s horizontal bar.

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I am a committee chair for my chapter. Where can I find “Chapter Business Tools?”

Log in to your account using the red “Login” button that can be found on the top right side of every page. Scroll down the page, and under the box “My Appraisal Institute” will be a separate box, “More Options.” Here you will find the Chapter Officer links you need, including Chapter Business Tools.

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My firm needs to hire a new appraiser. Where do I go to place a job listing?

AI’s Career Center can be reached on either the home page or under the “About Us” section of the website. Once you are on the Career Center page, simply click on either one of the following boxes under the “Employers” banner: “Rates” or “Post a Job/Search Resumes.”

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How do I pay my invoice?

Once you have logged in, you will see the subhead, My Financial Affairsin the top right corner of your account screen. The first entry under My Financial Affairs will be your AI Invoice. Simply click and proceed to the payment screen.

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I am moving to another state. How can I find another real estate appraisal position?

Visit AI’s Career Center by either selecting the “job seekers” link in the Career Center box on the homepage or go to the “About Us” section. Once you are in the Career Center, you can choose either “Create a free profile” that will allow employers to find you, or “Search Jobs” to view the available positions in your desired location. The Career Center features a resume builder to help you create the perfect resume. 

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I would like to contact my county’s elected officials. Is there a source for this on the website?

Yes! The new “Advocacy” section features links to elected officials, laws and regulations, testimony … everything you need to stay on top of your local laws and regulations, both current and proposed.

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I saw an advertisement for an education course that I would like to take, but I forgot to write down the exact title of the course. Where can I find this course?

Go to our Education section, and begin by choosing one of the various search options: “Qualifying Education for Licensing/Certification;” “AI Designation Education;” “Continuing Education;” “Professional Development Programs;” or “New and Popular Education.”

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How can I find out if an AI course I plan to attend has been approved by my state for Continuing Education?

For classroom or online courses, use this link.

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I would like to nominate a colleague for the AI Volunteer of Distinction award. How can I do this?

Visit the Awards and Honors page under the AI Resources section for a description of the Volunteer of Distinction program and a nomination form.

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Does the Appraisal Institute have sample agreements for service that I could use in my appraisal practice?

Yes, just go to the Professional Practice section and select “Sample Agreements for Service.” You can also find “Sample Certification Statements” under this section.

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I would like to attend the next Appraisal Institute Annual Meeting. Where do I go on the website to register?

Registration for the 2014 Annual Meeting will begin in early March. You can stay up to date on Annual Meeting activities by bookmarking the page for the Annual Meeting.

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Does the AI website offer information such as the latest mortgage rates and terms?

Yes. Go to the News section and select “Market Indicators.” The first section, “Economic Indicators,” will take you to the information you need.

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I hold a Designation or license from another country. Do you have any alternative paths to designated membership (i.e. AACI Designation, HypZert Designation, Japanese license issued by LREA)?

Appraisal Institute does offer some alternative paths. Please view our Candidate Policy Manual for details.

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What are the requirements for obtaining MAI Designated membership for Candidates living abroad?

Please view our MAI Designation Requirements Chart for information on the requirements for obtaining the MAI Designation.

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I do not have the required general or residential state certification to enter the Candidate for Designation program. How can I meet the equivalent requirements to enter the Candidate program without having to travel to the US?

Equivalent requirements to enter the Candidate programs can be met by completing the International Equivalency Examination Application. The exam may be taken at a PearsonVue Testing Centers. There are PearsonVue Testing Centers located around the world. Once the challenge application for the International Equivalency Examination is completed please submit to international@appraisalinstitute.org.

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Is education available online to obtain the MAI Designation?

AI recently launched the education required for MAI Designation in live online sessions. These live online sessions (called Synchronous) are in English. Once the live session is completed, you will need to schedule the examination for the online course at a PearsonVue testing center

There is also an option to challenge the examinations required for the MAI education. You may complete challenge exam application and submit to international@appraisalinstitute.org.

 You would then receive the course materials, study on your own and then visit a PearsonVue testing centers to take and pass the examination. There are PearsonVue testing centers located worldwide.

Visit PearsonVue to Locate an International Testing Center

Questions? international@appraisalinstitute.org

P: (312) 335-4295

 

 

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What is the Instructor Qualifying Conference (IQC)?

The IQC has two goals: 1) To assess the communication and instruction skills of potential AI instructors, and 2) To review educational principles and practices for potential instructors in order to teach Appraisal Instititue programs effectively. The IQC is the first step one must take to become an approved Appraisal Institute instructor. 

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Who should attend the IQC?

Designated members and/or PhD’s who currently are not approved to teach for the Appraisal Institute but are interested in completing the process to become a full instructor for AI programs. Completion of program does not guarantee approval to teach.

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Where and when will the next IQC be held?

At this time, an IQC has not been scheduled but will likely be held in 2021.  

Contact education@appraisalinstitute.org if you would like to be informed when more details are available.

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Is there any preparation required for the IQC?

Yes, generally participants are required to submit a video presentation prior to the conference. 

Also, participants may be required to engage in pre- and post conference activities. 

 

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Am I guaranteed automatic approval to teach AI programs if I attend the IQC?

Attendance alone does not guarantee approval. Your performance at the conference will be graded on the following components: a video presentation, a live presentation, an impromptu presentation and your participation and professionalism at the conference and on the webinars. Applicant must receive an invitation to teach from the national AI Education Committee after the IQC. Those invited to become an AI instructor will receive options for auditing AI programs. Invited participants must follow the regular audit policies as written, before instructing AI programs. 

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I'm taking a college course in real estate. Which textbook do I need to learn about real estate valuation?

The Appraisal of Real Estate, 14th edition, is the standard textbook for the appraisal profession with all the information you need about the theory and practice of real estate valuation. For more information, click here.

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Is there student material for The Appraisal of Real Estate?

Yes. The Student Handbook to The Appraisal of Real Estate contains summaries of textbook chapters along with review exercises and test questions. For more information, click here.

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I need definitions of real estate terms. Where can I find them?

The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal. For more information, click here.

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I want to take the state certification or licensing exam. Is there a book to help me study for it?

Yes. Practice Examination Questions for Real Estate Appraisers contains more than 1,000 multiple-choice questions like those that will appear on the exam. Click here for more information and prepare to succeed.

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I am an instructor. Is there instructor material for The Appraisal of Real Estate?

Yes. Click here to request instructor material for the textbook.

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Do you offer e-books?

Yes. We offer more than 45 titles in digital formats and a variety of digital and digital + print book packages. Click on a specific title to see if the book you want is available as an e-book, or click here to explore our digital offerings.

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How do I schedule onsite education?

Contact Fran Rosenstein at frosenstein@appraisalsinstitute.org or 312-335-4228 to discuss specific needs.  If you approve our written proposal, you will then receive a licensing agreement for your signature.  We handle booking an instructor too! 

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Can appraisal management companies (AMCs) schedule education?

Yes! Under certain circumstances, where an AMC has a qualified instructor on staff, we license our materials directly without contracting with an Appraisal Institute instructor.  Please contact us for more information and a price quote!

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How are program manuals received?

We ship program manuals and exams (if applicable) to arrive 2-3 days prior to the program. Your onsite contact is responsible for placing manuals in the classroom for students. 

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What is an onsite contact?

Your onsite contact is someone from your agency, bank, or company. They are a liaison for receipt of program manuals and handle the return shipment (see below).  This person can be a student of the class or an administrator.  

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What type of classroom/classroom equipment should be provided?

• speaker’s podium
• LCD projector
• projector screen
• flipchart, paper and markers
• All students need HP12C financial calculators

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How do students get credit for attendance?

We send a Sign-In sheet to distribute to students at the program. It must be filled out and signed by students to ensure they receive proper credit (if applicable). 

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How will students receive certificates of completion?

You are responsible for developing and submitting a Student Roster to us.  The roster should be alphabetical, typed or computer generated and must include the full name, address, and email address of each student. Email the student roster to frosenstein@appraisalinstittue.org, prior to the program or within 4 days after the program.

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How are exams returned to the Appraisal Institute?

Your onsite contact handles return shipments of exams and evaluations.After the class is over, and within four (4) days of completion of the program, send us completed and not completed examination booklets, answer sheets, evaluation forms and signed attendance roster.

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We have 20 staffers in four locations – are there any options?

The Appraisal Institute has many online programs (courses and seminars) that are perfect for organizations that only have a few staff people or if they are in various locations.  Online programs can be completed in 30-45 days and offer flexibility and affordability.  There are discounts for 20+ registrations for the same program.

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If you have any other questions, please contact the following:

Fran Rosenstein, Manager, Client Education – 312-335-4228
frosenstein@appraisalinstitute.org

 

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Which programs include a final, proctored exam? How much time is allowed to take an exam? How many questions are there?

Programs With Final Exams (includes exam hours and number of questions) 

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If there is an exam for a program, am I required to take it?

You are required to complete and pass the exam if you are taking this class to meet

• State qualifying education requirements
• Qualifying education requirements for an Appraisal Institute designation

You may be required to complete and pass an exam if you are taking this class to meet 

• Appraisal Institute professional development program requirements.
• State continuing education requirements.  Most states do not require an exam for CE credit, but please confirm this with your state licensing board.

You are not required to complete and pass an exam if you are taking this class to meet the continuing education requirements of an Appraisal Institute designation.

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What format is used for exam questions?

Exams are multiple choice.

 

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Where do I take an exam?

1. Classroom. If you’re taking a course in the classroom, the exam will be proctored at the conclusion of the course.

2. Pearson VUE Testing Center. Testing center locations in your area can be found at http://www.pearsonvue.com/ai/

3. Home or work. A limited selection of exams may be taken from your home or office via Pearson OnVUE online testing.

Note. ALL exams are proctored, regardless of the location.

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How do I schedule the exam?

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Which exams are available for me to take online from home or work via Pearson OnVUE online testing?

OnVUE online testing is available to a limited number of exams. Access the most current availability at http://www.pearsonvue.com/ai/

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How many days do I have to schedule and take the exam?

The exam must be scheduled within 60 days and taken within 90 days of completing the online course material.

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My internet connection is sometimes “spotty”—either extremely slow or I lose the connection entirely. How can I enhance my online testing experience?

1. Limit household internet connections while testing. All household internet connections compete for bandwidth, including online gaming, streaming services, online learning, etc.

2. Use a wired internet connection. Direct wire connections provide better connectivity than wi-fi. While wi-fi can be used, it is not as reliable as a wired internet connection direct to your computer.

3. Ensure your computer meets or exceeds the system requirements and run a system check on the computer you plan to use to take the exam. This will provide a good indication of how your system will perform during the exam.

• Perform a system check by downloading the OnVUE online proctoring software and testing compatibility at https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/Resources.aspx#system-test
• Check system requirements (i.e., functioning computer that meets or exceeds requirements, webcam, strong internet connection, etc.) at https://home.pearsonvue.com/op/OnVUE-technical-requirements
• Chrome is the recommended browser; Internet Explorer is NOT supported. 

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What will happen at the testing center?

• When you arrive at the testing center, you will need to present two forms of identification. Make sure your ID has a photograph and is not expired. For example, if you have an expired driver's license, you will be turned away.
• In addition, your palm vein pattern will be recorded. Palm vein recognition scans the veins inside your hand and creates a digital template representing your unique vein pattern. Palm vein recognition offers a form of positive identification that is more accurate than older identity verification technologies like digital fingerprinting. For additional information regarding this form of identification and details on how this information is stored, please visit Pearson’s website at https://home.pearsonvue.com/Documents/Deliver-your-exam/palm-vein.aspx.
• You will also be required to lock up your personal belongings—including wallets and watches—in a locker outside the testing room.
• Laptops, cellular phones, tablets, iPads, wearable technology (smart watch, Apple Watch, Google Glass, etc.), and other devices that can store data or connect to the Internet are NOT permitted during the exam. In addition, all watches, wallets, bags, and purses must be removed and stored out of reach prior to taking the exam.
• You will be required to check in and out with a proctor if you need to leave the testing room. Upon returning to the testing room, your palm will be rescanned and verified.

Pearson VUE handles examinations for many different groups, some of which have much tighter security than our students are used to. You will need to follow the same rules as the other examinees.

If you have not taken an exam through Pearson VUE before and are concerned about the format, you might want to view their demo at http://www.pearsonvue.com/demo/. The demo gives you a "guided tour" explaining how the exam works.

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What can I expect with online OnVUE testing (from my home or office)?

Before you take the exam, you need to do a bit of preparation:

• Make sure you have a functioning home computer with a webcam and strong internet connection.
• Run a system check to test the compatibility of the OnVUE application.
• Roommates or pets? Make sure your space is free from noise or distractions.
• Clear the room of any preparation materials or unauthorized items to avoid exam violations.

On exam day:

• You will take photos of your government-issued ID and your testing environment, as well as a headshot.
• Your photos will be reviewed and your exam will be queued up. Most candidates will start their exam within 15 minutes of their appointment time.
• If your pictures don’t pass review, you will be joined by a greeter as soon as possible to help you troubleshoot.
• You will be monitored by a VUE-certified proctor via webcam and microphone throughout your test to ensure the integrity and security of your exam experience.

IMPORTANT. Begin the check-in process 30 minutes BEFORE your scheduled exam time. While these tasks are easy, they can take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Below is a link to an informative video from a recent test-taker describing the OnVUE experience:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2E7w_EMUGw

For detailed FAQs on online testing with OnVUE, including what to do prior to testing, acceptable testing locations, what to do on testing day or in the event of technical difficulties, click on the following link:
https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/Resources.aspx?ot=collapse544

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May I use a laptop to take an OnVUE exam (from my home or office)?

Yes. However, please note that you may NOT use a separate monitor; ensure your laptop screen size and clarity will meet your needs during the exam.

Tip. A zoom feature is available that is not overtly obvious. For example, you can enlarge an exhibit for easier viewing by pressing the CTRL and + buttons simultaneously on a PC, or Command and + on a Mac. Each time this shortcut is invoked, the zoom increases 25%. The converse also is true: Hit CTRL and – on a PC or Command and – on a Mac to decrease the zoom by 25% each time the command is invoked.

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May I use a headset during an OnVUE exam?

You may use a headset to communicate with the proctor, if needed, during exam check-in, but you may NOT use the headset during the exam; you’ll need to unplug it and remove it from your desk for the duration of the exam.

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May I use two monitors to take an OnVUE exam?

No. Only one functioning monitor is permitted. If you have more than one monitor on your desktop during exam check-in, the proctor will ask you to unplug the secondary monitor and power source. The preferred option is to remove the secondary monitor from your desk prior to exam day.

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Are cell phones allowed during an exam?

Classroom and Pearson VUE testing center:  No, cell phones are not allowed during the exam. They must be silenced and stored out of reach for the duration of the exam.

Pearson OnVUE online testing (from your home or office): Cell phone use is permitted only while checking in for your exam, and/or if you experience a technical issue. Any other cell phone use, including but not limited to actively taking a call and having a conversation with a third party who is not a Pearson VUE proctor, texting, accessing apps, etc., may result in your exam being revoked/terminated.

• Storing your phone while taking an OnVUE exam
  • Keep your mobile phone in the room where you are testing, but just out of arm’s reach, as it may not be kept in your immediate testing workspace.  
  • If you need to access your phone during the exam you may reach for it, but do not leave the webcam’s view entirely. The proctor must be able to see you access the phone. 
• Incoming calls while taking an OnVUE exam
  • If your phone rings during your exam, limit your interaction to seeing who the caller is.  
  • If a proctor is contacting you, the OnVUE number will always show as 617-379-0635 and/or caller ID may identify the number as Pearson VUE. If this number or contact appears, please answer the call, as a proctor may be trying to reach you.  
  • Any mobile phone use other than engaging with a proctor is strictly prohibited and will result in your exam being revoked. If your phone rings and the call is not from a Pearson VUE proctor, do not answer it.   
• Outbound calls while taking an OnVUE exam 
  • You may not make outbound calls for any reason.  
  • To reach Pearson VUE support, please use the chat feature on your program page: https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test-takers/OnVUE-online-proctoring/View-all.aspx  
• Silencing your phone while taking an OnVUE exam
  • If you need to silence your phone after the exam has begun, first alert a proctor, then wait for their acknowledgement to ensure they understand you are accessing your phone only to silence any notifications.    
  • Once you have silenced your phone, move it back to a place where you won’t have immediate access to it. 
• Other notifications while taking an OnVUE exam
  • Pearson VUE will not text you during your exam. If you receive a text notification, ignore the notification, and continue testing.   
  • If an alarm sounds on your phone, first alert a proctor, then wait for their acknowledgement to ensure they understand you are accessing your phone only to silence the alarm.  
  • Once you have silenced the alarm or notification, move your phone back to a place where you won’t have immediate access to it. 

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Can I use a calculator? What calculators are allowed?

You may take one financial calculator into the exam provided you clear the memory banks before hand. The allowed calculators are: HP 10b, HP 10bii, HP 12c, HP 17bii, HP 17ii+, HP 19bii calculators or Texas Instruments (TI) BA II PLUS. You will not be permitted to use any other type of calculator. We recommend the HP 12c. While other allowed calculators may be used during the exam, our online course materials and instructors only support the HP 12c.

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Can I bring scratch paper or notes into the exam?

No. Other than a cleared calculator, you may not bring anything into the exam.

Pearson VUE testing center: You will receive an erasable, laminated noteboard and pen at the testing center on which you can write notes. You can turn in the note boards for a clean one at any time throughout the exam.

Pearson ONVUE online testing (from your home or office): A whiteboard feature is available during the exam that allows you to enter notes or draw shapes. It is available anytime during the exam by clicking the eraser icon at the top of the screen. You may erase the working space at any time to start something new. Below is a sample:

Classroom: You may write on your paper exam. Your exam must be turned in to the proctor at the end of the exam.

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May I re-schedule my exam? If so, is there a fee?

Pearson VUE testing center:If you are unable to attend your scheduled examination, you must notify the Pearson VUE Testing Center 24 hours or more in advance. Rescheduling an exam less than 24 hours before it is scheduled will necessitate contacting the Appraisal Institute education delivery department at education@appraisalinstitute.org.

Pearson ONVUE online testing (from your home or office):You may reschedule an exam up to the scheduled starting time of your OnVUE online exam appointment.

Note:You may reschedule the exam at no charge directly through Pearson VUE ONE TIME ONLY from the date of your initial confirmation. There is a $95 fee each time you reschedule your exam subsequently. If you reschedule your exam more than once, you must initiate the process through the Appraisal Institute and pay the $95 fee before proceeding to reschedule the exam through Pearson.

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May I reschedule my exam across delivery modes (OnVUE vs. testing center)? If so, is there a fee?

Yes, you may reschedule your exam across delivery modes. However, you must first cancel your original appointment before rescheduling and changing delivery modes (Pearson testing center to Pearson OnVUE or vice-versa). Request the change through Pearson VUE at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled exam time to change delivery modes.

Note:You may reschedule the exam at no charge directly through Pearson VUE ONE TIME ONLY from the date of your initial confirmation. There is a $95 fee each time you reschedule your exam subsequently. If you reschedule your exam more than once, you must initiate the process through the Appraisal Institute and pay the $95 fee before proceeding to reschedule the exam through Pearson.

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Do I have to memorize all the symbols and formulas in the course material for the exam?

We don’t disclose exactly what is in an exam, but we do provide any necessary information for completion within the exam. For example, unless otherwise noted in the course material, you usually don't have to memorize symbols and formulas as they are provided within the exam.

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Are breaks allowed during an exam?

There are no scheduled breaks. AI exams are one, two, or three hours long.

Classroom and Pearson VUE testing center:  You may leave the exam room to use the washroom, but you may not take anything with you and the exam time will NOT be paused.

Pearson OnVUE online testing (from your home or office): There are no scheduled breaks; leaving the view of the webcam for any reason will result in your exam session being terminated and any exam results being invalidated. If not having a break is an issue for you, we suggest scheduling an exam at a Pearson VUE testing center.

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What happens if I do not pass the exam? Do you allow for re-exams?

If you don't pass the exam, you will receive an "exam critique" from the Appraisal Institute that will show the specific content areas you should study further. You will also receive detailed instructions if you are interested in re-taking the exam. A fee of $125 for Appraisal Institute Designated members, Candidates for Designation, Practicing Affiliates, and Affiliates and $165 for non-AI individuals will be required. You have up to 1 year from the date of completing the online material to re-take an exam.

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How do I study for the exam?

If you pay attention to the online materials, ask questions by email if you are not certain, and faithfully complete all quizzes and assignments, you will be in great shape for the exam. The course materials also will provide information on the number of exam questions, the topics covered, and the approximate percentage of the exam devoted to each course topic. In addition, we also have prepared a document outlining general study strategies that will assist you in taking any exam.

You can print out the course materials to study for the exam. You will have access to the course materials and printing until the official end date of the session, unless you purchase a 30-day extension. After the extension period, you may contact us directly at ol-help@appraisalinstitute.org if you require further access.

Note: You cannot print out the materials for the 15 Hour National USPAP course.

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What is the Appraisal Institute’s education and exam rounding policy?

• For all numerical problems, intermediate calculations are held internally in the calculator or software through problem completion, with rounding occurring only at the end. To get the same answer as shown in the course handbook and the exam, do not re-input any intermediate number. Rely on your calculator’s stack or storage registers to hold the number to the maximum digits allowed. If using an electronic spreadsheet, copy and paste the cell reference or contents.
• Occasionally the instructional materials will display intermediate results on a rounded basis for ease in instruction. However, calculations relying on those numbers will use the unrounded equivalents until problem completion. For example, while the handbook may show a number such as $135.67, the number that is actually stored in the calculator or Excel is $135.66666… So a rounded number is shown, but more decimals are stored. Note. Use of intermediate numbers as inputs in calculations may produce results that differ slightly from those shown due to the adopted rounding convention.
• The exam will not require a choice between two answers that differ only by a rounding decision.
• Term calculations. When using Excel or similar software, or a calculator other than the HP-12C, a problem that solves for term may result in a fractional answer instead of the whole number that the HP-12C always shows. The HP-12C rounds a fractional period to the next whole period to reflect the day the final payment is due; the others offer the advantage of alerting the user to the fact that the last payment is not equal to the others. If a problem such as this appears on the exam, the question will not require a choice between the HP-12C rounded solution and the fractional result as the correct answer. 

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What is the passing score for exams?

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Will I receive my exact score?

No, students only receive a pass or fail notice; they do not receive a letter grade or percentage.  

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When will I receive my exam results?

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What if I have a question that isn't answered in the FAQs?

If you have any questions or concerns about the Appraisal Institute exam process, please contact our Education Delivery department at 312-335-4207 or e-mail education@appraisalinstitute.org.

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Who do I contact if I have additional questions about AI PAREA?

Please email aiparea@appraisalinstitute.org.

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How can I be contacted about AI PAREA updates, including when the program is open for registration?

Please complete our form at https://www.appraisalinstitute.org/aiparea/ to be added to our contact list for exciting updates! 

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What is AI PAREA?

Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) provides an alternative to the traditional supervisor and trainee model for experience for licensed residential and certified residential appraisers.  Appraisal Institute (AI) PAREA is an online program covering appraisal theory and methodology, in real-world simulations, with mentoring from nationally-recognized appraisers.  

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What are some of the key points of the PAREA program?

• It provides an alternative to the traditional supervisor and trainee model.
• Participants complete all qualifying education prior to beginning the program.
• When complete, the participant is eligible for up to 100% of experience credit for Licensed and Certified Residential credentials.
• Individual states can choose to accept all, partial, or none of the PAREA experience credit.
• Participants must complete training on all topics listed in the detailed content outline.
• Participants will receive periodic mentoring throughout, ensuring sufficient demonstration of experience and understanding prior to moving forward in the program.
• Participants will be required to produce USPAP-compliant appraisals within the program.
• Participants, successfully completing PAREA, must also pass the national licensing and certification exam for the appropriate credential level. 

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When will AI’s PAREA be ready? 

The AI PAREA program will be ready for participation no later than September 2023. 

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What is the cost to take the AI PAREA program?

AI will provide the cost once it has been determined.  

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How do I obtain an AI PAREA mentor?

Mentors will be assigned to participants as part of AI’s PAREA program. 

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How did PAREA come to be an alternative to the supervisor and trainee model? 

The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and Guide Note for PAREA was adopted by the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) on October 16, 2020 and became effective as of January 1, 2021. 

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Where can I find additional background information about PAREA?

• https://appraisalfoundation.sharefile.com/share/view/s63f99dc2b9f241e0b3fd1645f7b63680 
• https://www.appraisalfoundation.org/imis/TAF/Resources/Educators/PAREA/TAF/PAREA.aspx?hkey=ffa536dc-bbdd-4f6f-a12a-1e6df1cdaa1f

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