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About the Appraisal Institute The Appraisal Institute is the acknowledged leader in residential and commercial real estate appraisal education, research, publishing, and professional membership designation programs. The Appraisal Institute was established when the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and the Society of Real Estate Appraisers merged in January 1991. Both organizations were formed during the 1930s to help standardize the appraisal process by promoting professional education and upholding high ethical standards. Membership The Appraisal Institute has more than 18,000 members and 98 chapters across the country. Designated members are professionals who have met stringent requirements and most exceed state licensing and certification for education and experience. Approximately 20% of all licensed or certified appraisers have earned the right to be called Appraisal Institute members. The organization offers three membership categories: affiliate membership, associate membership and designated membership. To become a designated member one must successfully complete advanced courses, submit thousands of hours of verified appraisal experience, and receive a passing grade on a demonstration report documenting the individual's experience with regard to all aspects of the appraisal process. Designations The Appraisal Institute has general appraisal members who hold the MAI or SRPA designations and residential appraisal members who hold the SRA designation.
Education The Appraisal Institute and its chapters conduct introductory and advanced courses and seminars that address the needs of appraisers just entering the profession as well as seasoned practitioners. Publications & Library The Appraisal Institute is the world's largest publisher of real estate literature. It is the publisher of The Appraisal of Real Estate, the authoritative text on real estate appraisal now in its twelfth edition, and The Dictionary of Real Estate Appraisal. In addition to these two classic reference works, the Appraisal Institute offers over 60 books on a wide variety of subjects ranging from basic valuation theory and techniques to advanced applications. The organization also publishes two quarterly periodicals: The Appraisal Journal and Valuation Insights & Perspectives magazine. The Appraisal Institute's Lum Library houses the largest English-language collection of real estate valuation literature in North America. Advocacy The Appraisal Institute's Washington, D. C. office maintains ongoing communications with federal and state legislators and regulators to encourage the adoption of appraisal policies that best serve the public interest. Professional Ethics/Peer Review The Appraisal Institute enforces a Code of Professional Ethics and Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, under which all members agree to conduct their professional activity. The Appraisal Institute also provides a peer review procedure that may result in counseling or disciplinary action for violations of ethical or standards rules. On-Line Information and Services Via the World Wide Web The Appraisal Institute maintains an informative Web site that is continually updated. The Web site address is: www.appraisalinstitute.org The Web site features an online newsletter, Appraiser News Online, as well as Find An Appraiser, an easily accessible database of Appraisal Institute designated and associate members that can be searched by geographic location and other pertinent criteria. The site also provides a variety of other information including its JobSearch and InfoExchange pages, continually updated course and seminar schedules and a series of informative brochures for consumers and others in need of appraisal services.
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