Official Nebraska Government Website
Nebraska Real Property Appraiser Board

Education Provider Information

 

QUALIFYING EDUCATION APPROVAL POLICY

The adoption and implementation of The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria effective January 1, 2008 created a need to transform existing education to the requirements of the new criteria.  The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and Interpretations of the Criteria, the document that mandates specific qualifications for state licensure and certification of real estate appraisers developed and interpreted by the Appraiser Qualifications Board has been amended and there are new criteria for all licenses and certificates issued commencing on January 1, 2008.  These changes are published in a document titled “Real Property Appraiser Qualification and Criteria”.  This document can be found on the Appraisal Foundation web site at www.appraisalfoundation.org. 

The Board will review materials provided by the course provider and evaluate the appropriateness of the subject matter, course length, credit hours requested, the course exam and the qualifications required of the instructors.  Course providers must complete and submit an Application for Qualifying Education Course along with the appropriate fees and documentation. 

To determine the educational credits accrued by applicants for registered, licensed, certified residential or certified general credentials, the Board will review courses in accordance with the following guidelines.  Furthermore, the Board reserves the right to seek and obtain additional information in determining the acceptability of educational credit.

Qualifying Education:  Education that is creditable toward the education requirements for the initial registered, licensure or certification under one or more of the four real estate appraiser classifications (Registered Real Property Appraiser, Licensed Real Property Appraiser, Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser, and Certified General Real Property Appraiser).

All qualifying education must have the completed course matrix for course equivalency to the criteria effective January 1, 2008.  Each qualifying education course must incorporate USPAP in the topic(s).  These specific qualifications requirements are a Federal requirement of The Appraisal Foundation.  The Nebraska Real Estate Appraiser Board does not have discretion in this matter.    

 

QUALIFYING EDUCATION APPROVAL PROCEDURES

 1.   Only educational courses and activities approved by the Board pursuant to Title 298 shall qualify for inclusion in the number of classroom hours required by the Act for eligibility for registration, licensure, residential certification, or general certification as a real estate appraiser.

2.   Each course of study to be included in the number of hours required for registration, licensure, residential certification, or general certification must be conducted by an accredited university, college, technical community college, or junior college, an appraisal society, institute or association, or such other educational provider as may be approved by the Board.  Additionally, providers of such courses of study must comply with the Nebraska Private Postsecondary Career Schools Act, NEB.REV.STAT § 85-1601, et seq.

3.   The provider must submit to the Board a properly completed application for approval of an education offering at least 60 days prior to the first scheduled class session and prior to advertising such course of study or accepting any tuition or fees for enrollment, and the provider must meet all other applicable laws.

4.  The provider shall require full attendance at all sessions by all students at each class sessions and shall take attendance at all sessions.  Full attendance shall mean attendance for at least 90 percent of each class session.  For purposes of determining the qualified hours, an hour shall mean 60 minutes, at least 50 minutes of which shall be devoted to actual classroom instruction and no more than 10 minutes of which shall be devoted to a recess.  At least a one-half hour break shall be given to students by no later than the end of four hours of class in any day.

5.   Each course of study shall be at least 15 hours of class time, not to exceed eight hours per day; and the student must successfully complete an examination pertinent to such course at the end of the class time.

6.   Each course of study shall cover one or more of the topics listed in Chapter 5, Section 005 of Title 298, Rules and Regulations.  If the course of study is intended to be a complete course to meet the requirements for registration, licensure, residential certification, or general certification, the course (qualifying education) shall include all such topics and provide the hours of study as required in Chapter 5 of Title 298, Rules and Regulations.

7.   Each course of study submitted shall include:

A.   Course Description

 The course materials or syllabus must include a course description that clearly describes the content of the course.

B.   Detailed Content Outline              / Course Matrix          /   Hours

The course materials or syllabus must include a detailed content outline of all major topics to be covered and the number of classroom hours devoted to each major topic.  The subject matter must cover at least one of the sixteen topics listed in the AQB Qualifications Criteria and the length of time allotted to each topic in 30 minute increments.     

C.   Learning Objectives

The course materials or syllabus must include a statement of specific learning objectives which:
a. are appropriate for a qualifying education course;
b. clearly state the specific knowledge and/or skills the student is expected to acquire by completing this course;
c. are consistent with the course description;
d. are consistent with the textbook and/or other instructional materials; and
e. are reasonably achievable within the number of classroom hours allotted for the course. 

D.  Work Assignments

Include course materials or syllabus that provides for in-class work assignments and/or out-of-class work/reading assignments if necessary to accomplish the stated learning objectives.

E.   Text and Materials

Text and materials used in teaching and used by the student.  Instructional materials used by the student must:
a. cover the subject matter in depth to achieve the stated course learning objectives;
b. reflect current knowledge and practice;
c.  contain no significant errors;
d. reflect correct grammatical usage and spelling;
e.  effectively communicate and explain the information presented;
f.   be suitable in layout and format; and
g.  be suitably bound/packaged and be produced in a quality manner. 

F.   Presentation Method 

Provider must indicate if materials are presented in a traditional classroom method or a distance learning method.  There must be an acceptable method of ensuring that the student achieves the classroom hour equivalent in the distance learning method.  Electronic access to the distance education qualifying course must be sent with the application form.

G.  Prerequisites

Provider must have established appropriate prerequisites for any qualifying education other than Basic Real Estate Appraisal Principles and Basic Real Estate Appraisal Procedures or USPAP.

H.   Examinations

Courses that include multiple topics must have appropriate testing of each component.  The examination(s) must contain a sufficient number of questions to adequately test the subject matter covered in the course.  The amount of time devoted to the examination(s) must be appropriate for the course.  The examination(s) questions must test at a difficulty level appropriate to measure the student’s achievement of the stated learning objectives.  No open book exams are permitted.

I.    Instructor Qualifications

Provider must submit the Application for Instructor Approval regarding the qualifications of the instructor for each qualifying education course.

For purposes of the 7-hour and 15-hour National USPAP Courses, the instructor must be an AQB Certified Instructor and a Certified Appraiser.

6.   Each provider shall keep attendance records in a manner intended to insure full-time attendance by students.  Complete and accurate records shall be established and maintained by each provider for each individual student for five years.

7.   Each provider must issue a document certifying satisfactory completion to each student upon completion of the course of study.  The document shall display all information including, but not limited to, name of provider, signature of provider and/or instructor, name of course, course number, hours of credit, dates of course, pass or fail statement, and name of student.   Such certification shall not be required if the provider has transcript capabilities.

8.   Each provider shall submit to the Board within 90 days of the conclusion of the course an alphabetical listing of the names and addresses of students who have met the requirement of completion.  Such listing shall constitute the provider’s certification that the list includes only students who have met all attendance, completion, and examination requirements.  Such certification shall not be required if the provider has transcript capabilities.

9.   Each provider must submit a list of all courses taught in Nebraska during the prior year by January 31 of each year.

10.  All providers shall submit with their request for approval of each qualifying course, a non-refundable fee of $50. 

11.  Course approval commences on the date of initial approval granted by the Nebraska Real Estate Appraiser Board and expires in three (3) years after issuance of approval.  

12.   All approved qualifying education shall be resubmitted for approval and reviewed every three years by the Board unless substantial changes are made prior to that time.  If such changes are made, the course shall be submitted for review and approval at least 60 days prior to intended offering of the revised curriculum.  Revised material shall be designated to identify changes.

13.   After initial approval or approval of a substantial change, the provider shall submit to the Board, at least 30 days in advance of offering the course, a notice of scheduling of the course.

14.   In the event of a USPAP course, provider must submit a completed application for approval during the current USPAP applicable calendar year.

15.   The Nebraska Real Estate Appraiser Board may at any time reevaluate an approved qualifying education course.

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION ACTIVITY APPROVAL POLICY

The adoption and implementation of The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria effective January 1, 2008 created a need to transform existing education to the requirements of the new criteria.  The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and Interpretations of the Criteria, the document that mandates specific qualifications for state licensure and certification of real estate appraisers developed and interpreted by the Appraiser Qualifications Board has been amended and there are new criteria for all licenses and certificates issued commencing on January 1, 2008.  These changes are published in a document titled “Real Property Appraiser Qualification and Criteria”.  This document can be found on the Appraisal Foundation web site at www.appraisalfoundation.org. 

The Board will review materials provided by the provider and evaluate the appropriateness of the subject matter, continuing education activity length, credit hours requested, the exam (if applicable) and the qualifications required of the instructors.  Continuing Education providers must complete and submit an Application for Continuing Education Activity along with the appropriate fees and documentation. 

To determine the educational credits accrued by registered, licensed, certified residential or certified general real property appraisers, the Board will review continuing education activities in accordance with the following guidelines.  Furthermore, the Board reserves the right to seek and obtain additional information in determining the acceptability of continuing educational credit.

The purpose of continuing education is to ensure that Nebraska credentialed real property appraisers participate in an activity that maintains and improves the appraiser’s skill, knowledge and competency to remain proficient in real property appraisal.

Continuing Education:  Education that is creditable toward the education requirements that must be satisfied to renew registered, licensure or certification under one or more of the four real estate appraiser classifications (Registered Real Property Appraiser, Licensed Real Property Appraiser, Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser, and Certified General Real Property Appraiser).

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION PROCEDURES

1.   Only educational courses and activities approved by the Board pursuant to Title 298 shall qualify for eligibility for renewal of a registration, license, residential certificate or general certificate as a real estate appraiser.

2.   The provider must submit to the Board a properly completed application for approval of a continuing education offering at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the continuing education activity and the provider must meet all other applicable laws.

3.   The provider shall require full attendance by all students at each class sessions and shall take attendance at all sessions.  Full attendance shall mean attendance for at least 90 percent of each class session.  For purposes of determining the qualified hours, an hour shall mean 60 minutes, at least 50 minutes of which shall be devoted to a recess.   At least a one-half hour break shall be given to students no later than the end of four hours of class in any day.

4.   Each in-class continuing education activity must consist of at least three (3) in-class clock hours but no more than eight (8) in-class clock hours in any one day of instruction.

5.   Each continuing education activity submitted shall include:

A.  Continuing Education Description  

The materials or syllabus must include a description that clearly describes the content of the continuing education activity.

B.   Detailed Content Outline  

The materials or syllabus must include a detailed content outline of all major topics to be covered and the number of classroom hours devoted to each major topic. 

C.    Learning Objectives  

The materials or syllabus must include a statement of specific learning objectives which:
a.    are appropriate for a continuing education activity;
b.    clearly state the specific knowledge and/or skills the student is expected to acquire by completing this continuing education activity;
c.    are consistent with the continuing education description;
d.    are consistent with the textbook and/or other instructional materials; and
e.    are reasonably achievable within the number of classroom hours allotted for the continuing education activity.

D.     Work Assignments

Include materials or syllabus that provides for in-class work assignments and/or out-of-class work/reading assignments if necessary to accomplish the stated learning objectives.

E.     Text and Materials 

Text and materials used in teaching and used by the student.  Instructional materials used by the student must:
a.     cover the subject matter in depth to achieve the stated learning objectives;
b.     reflect current knowledge and practice;
c.     contain no significant errors;
d.     reflect correct grammatical usage and spelling;
e.     effectively communicate and explain the information presented;
f.      be suitable in layout and format; and
g.     be suitably bound/packaged and be produced in a quality manner. 

F.     Presentation Method

Provider must indicate if materials are presented in a traditional classroom method or a distance learning method.  There must be an acceptable method of ensuring that the student achieves the classroom hour equivalent in the distance learning method.  Electronic access to the distance continuing education activity must be sent with the application form.

G.    Instructor Qualifications 

Provider must submit the Application for Instructor Approval regarding the qualifications of the instructor for each continuing education activity.

5.   Each provider shall keep attendance records in a manner to insure full-time attendance by students.   Complete and accurate records shall be established and maintained by each provider for each individual student for five years. 

6.   Each provider must issue a document certifying satisfactory completion to each student upon completion of the continuing education activity.  The document shall display all information including, but not limited to, name of provider, signature of provider and/or instructor, name of continuing education activity, continuing education number, hours of credit, date(s) of continuing education activity, pass or fail statement, and name of student. 

7.   Each provider must submit a list of all continuing education activities taught in Nebraska during the prior year by January 31 of each year.       

8.   All providers shall submit with their request for approval of each continuing education activity, a non-refundable fee of $25.

9.   Continuing education activity commences on the date of initial approval granted by the Nebraska Real Estate Appraiser Board and expires in three (3) years after issuance of approval. 

10.   All approved continuing education shall be resubmitted for approval and reviewed every three years by the Board unless substantial changes are made prior to that time.  If such changes are made, the continuing education activity shall be submitted for review and approval at least 60 days prior to intended offering of the revised continuing education.  Revised material shall be designated to identify changes. 

11.   After initial approval or approval of a substantial change, the provider shall submit to the Board, at least 30 days in advance of offering the continuing education activity, a notice of scheduling of the continuing education activity. 

12.  The Nebraska Real Estate Appraiser Board may at any time reevaluate an approved continuing education activity. 

 

RENEWAL POLICY 

The Board will review materials provided by the provider and evaluate the appropriateness of the subject matter, education activity length, credit hours requested, the exam (if applicable) and the qualifications required of the instructors.  Providers must complete and submit an Application for Renewal along with the appropriate fees and documentation.   

To determine the educational credits accrued by registered, licensed, certified residential or certified general real property appraisers, the Board will review qualifying education and continuing education activities in accordance with the policies and procedures for initial approval.  Furthermore, the Board reserves the right to seek and obtain additional information in determining the acceptability of educational credit. 

Qualifying Education:  Education that is creditable toward the education requirements for the trainee classification and initial registered, licensure or certification under one or more of the four real estate appraiser classifications (Registered Real Property Appraiser, Licensed Real Property Appraiser, Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser, and Certified General Real Property Appraiser). 

Continuing Education:  Education that is creditable toward the education requirements that must be satisfied to renew registered, licensure or certification under one or more of the four real estate appraiser classifications (Registered Real Property Appraiser, Licensed Real Property Appraiser, Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser, and Certified General Real Property Appraiser). 

 

QUALIFYING EDUCATION/CONTINUING EDUCATION RENEWAL PROCEDURES 

1.  All approved education shall be resubmitted for approval and reviewed every three years by the Board.   

2.  All providers must submit to the Board a properly completed Application for Renewal for approval at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the initial approval. 

3.  All providers must adhere to all policies required for initial approval of qualifying education and continuing education activities. 

4.  All providers shall submit with their request for renewal of each qualifying education course or continuing education activity a non-refundable fee of $10.

 

INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL POLICY

The Board will review the qualifications submitted by the provider to determine the eligibility and competence of each instructor. Providers must complete and submit an Application for Instructor Approval along with the appropriate fees and documentation.

 

INSTRUCTOR APPROVAL PROCEDURES 

1.  A Qualifying Education Instructor must comply with the Nebraska Private Postsecondary Career Schools Act, NEB.REV.STAT §85-1601, et seq.

2.  The provider must submit to the Board a properly completed application for instructor approval at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the qualifying education or continuing education activity and the provider must meet all other applicable laws. 

3.  The Instructor shall have one or more of the following qualifications: 

  1. A Masters degree or higher, which is directly related to the subject matter being taught.
  2. A Bachelors degree or higher, provided the degree is in an area traditionally associated with the subject matter of appraisal, including related courses and experience in real estate appraisal as evidenced by a valid appraiser credential or three (3) years of appraisal experience.
  3. A highly qualified professional with a generally recognized professional designation from a professional appraisal organization and two (2) years of education from a post secondary institution.
  4. A Bachelors degree or higher in education and a valid teacher certification in the individual’s resident jurisdiction and extensive appraisal experience as evidenced by a valid appraiser credential or three (3) years of experience as a real estate appraiser.
  5. Extensive instructional background in real estate appraisal education and expertise in education offering being taught.  In addition, instructor must have experience in real estate appraisal as evidenced by a valid appraiser credential or three (3) years of experience as a real estate appraiser.

4.   For purposes of the 7-hour and the 15-hour National USPAP Courses, the instructor must be an AQB Certified Instructor and a Certified Appraiser. 

5.   The Board may not approve or may withdraw approval of any instructor for, but not limited to, the following reasons:
            a.   falsifications of information on the Application for Instructor Approval;
            b.   loss of appraiser’s credential;
            c.   incompetence 

6.   Instructor approval commences on the date of initial approval by the Nebraska Real Estate Appraiser Board and expires in three (3) years after issuance of approval. 

7.   All instructors shall be resubmitted for approval and reviewed every three years by the Board.  Renewal will take place after a review of information supplied on the Application for Instructor Approval. 

8.   The Nebraska Real Estate Appraiser Board may at any time reevaluate an approved instructor. 

Renewal Application
(pdf 12k)		 Qualifying Education Application
(pdf 11k)		 Continuing Education Application
(pdf 10k) 		Application for Instructor Approval
(pdf 16k)