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BREA Bulletin

  • Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) Hearing focused on the appraisal regulatory system

    • BREA’s Bureau Chief Angela Jemmott testified at the hearing along with Jonathan Miller, President and CEO, Miller Samuel Inc.; Michelle Czekalski Bradley, certified general appraiser, chair of the Appraisal Standards Board; Brad Swinney, chief appraiser, Farm Credit Bank of Texas, chair of the Appraiser Qualifications Board; Morgan Williams, general counsel, National Fair Housing.

    • The hearing explored the appraisal regulatory system focusing on appraisal standards, appraiser qualification criteria and barriers to entry into the profession, appraisal practice and state regulation.

    • The hearing was intended to better understand the current challenges and explore opportunities to improve the appraisal profession, while combatting bias and promoting fair appraisals for all.

    • A recording of the hearing can be viewed here: ASC Hearing, May 19, 2023


  • Approval for Appraisal Institute’s PAREA program, an alternative to traditional supervisor/trainee model:

    • A new pathway for aspiring appraisers granted approval from the Appraisal Qualifications Board! PAREA, an online, alternative program for aspiring appraisers expected to make registration available September 2023.

    • PAREA Preview: AI PAREA Preview: Immersive Measurement - YouTube

    • FAQs PAREA Program: FAQs (appraisalinstitute.org)

    • Appraisal Institute PAREA Program Receives Approval from Appraiser Qualifications Board: AI News Releases

    • Sign up to learn more: AI PAREA

    • Call our office for any additional questions or updates: (916) 552-9000


  • Things to know about the new education requirements:

    Renewals due on January 1, 2023 or after must comply with the new continuing education (CE) requirements of 1 hour of Cultural Competency and 2 hours of Elimination of Bias.

    • Applying before December 31, 2023 does not remove the requirement. Licensees must meet the new education requirements in order to receive the license.
    • Licensees who are on their Full CE Cycle are mandated to take the course.
    • Licensees who are on USPAP Cycle can take the course, but it is not mandated for that renewal cycle.
    • The 6 month notice indicates whether licensees have a USPAP renewal or Full-Renewal. It also indicates whether licensees need the class or not.

    • Licensees still must obtain 56 hours of required CE within a 4-year cycle. At least 3 of those hours must be in Elimination of Bias and Cultural Competency, as stated above.

    • Licensees must take the two courses or one combined course every four years. AQB requires courses to be a minimum of 2 hours to count for CE, so course providers are submitting combined courses to ensure full credit.

  • Please be informed that the following courses must be taken in order to renew a license. Please search for available courses online at https://www.brea.ca.gov/html/SearchCourses.html

    EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2023
    NEW EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
    INITIAL APPLICANTS
    Minimum of at least:
    1 Hour of Cultural Competency

    RENEWING LICENSEES
    Minimum of at least:
    1 Hour of Cultural Competency, and
    2 Hours of Elimination of Bias

  • • The Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA) hosted an online discussion, “Educational Roundtable—Addressing Cultural Competency and Elimination of Bias.”

    Due to statutory changes this year, beginning in 2023, there will be new educational requirements on applicants and licensees related to cultural competency and the elimination of bias in appraisal practices. The goal of the educational discussion was to identify and evaluate best practices for instruction related to cultural competency and elimination of biases in the real estate appraisal industry and to aid BREA in the development of future course requirements.

    Play Recording (2 hrs 53 min)
    Recording password: Kyu3gXm9

    • BREA also offers other information opportunities to learn about this topic of addressing Cultural Competency and Elimination of Bias. Please note: This is not for CE Credit.

    (link: https://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/implicit-bias-training)

  • Fraud Alert – October 12, 2021
    The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) continues to receive attempted scams aimed at licensees of DCA’s boards and bureaus. In the scheme, an individual falsely identifying themselves as an employee of the Acupuncture Board has contacted licensees and attempted to gather personal information.

    If you receive a call from an individual claiming to be an employee of the Acupuncture Board (or any other DCA board or bureau) and they attempt to gather personal information, please consider the following:

    • If you receive a call, simply take down the caller’s information (including name, title, phone number and email address), let them know you will follow-up directly with the department/board/bureau, and end the call.

    • You may also consider ending the call without explanation if it appears suspicious or to be a scam.

    • Contact the board or bureau responsible for issuing your license. Contact information for all DCA boards and bureaus can be found via this webpage: https://www.dca.ca.gov/about_us/entities.shtml

    • If you don’t know who to contact at DCA, call the Consumer Information Center at (800) 952-5210 for assistance and to get directed to the appropriate entity.

    • NEVER disclose any personal information, i.e. social security numbers, date of births, or credit/debit card numbers, without first taking steps to verify that the person requesting the information has a legitimate need for it.

    • Be aware that DCA staff will never ask for credit/debit card numbers or information over the phone.
  • Timely License Renewal
    The Bureau mails out license renewal notifications to all licensees, six months prior to their expiration. The letter requests that renewals be submitted at least 90 days prior to the expiration of a license. This is due to the Bureau’s processing time. Though it may take the Bureau up to 90 days to process an application, it typically does not.

    Should a licensee delay submittal of the renewal application, the licensee may expire, and the licensee would be unable to practice appraising. The licensee will show up on the Bureau’s website as “Expired” and “Inactive” on the Appraisal Subcommittee’s (ASC) website until such time as the renewed license is issued.

    Although the Bureau makes every effort to process renewal applications prior to expiration of the previous license, it is imperative that we receive renewal applications in a reasonable amount of time that allows for processing. In order to maintain an "active" listing of your appraisal license, please do not wait until a week or month before the expiration date to submit a renewal application and appropriate documentation.
  • How To Get Vaccinated
    Learn more about how to get vaccinated by visiting the state’s COVID-19 website: https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#How-to-get-vaccinated. The state’s website has information on vaccination eligibility, how to sign up for an appointment via MyTurn.ca.gov, local health jurisdiction resources, and more. Additionally, CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreen pharmacies now offer limited appointments for free COVID-19 vaccinations in select areas. Visit https://covid19.ca.gov/vaccines/#How-to-get-vaccinated for more information.
  • 2020-2021 USPAP Extension
    On February 19, 2021, The Appraisal Foundation’s Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) announced the current (2020-2021) edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) will be extended by one year. This USPAP extension does not impact continuing education requirements including the requirement to take the 7-hour USPAP Update continuing education course every two years.
    The Appraisal Foundation Press Release can be found on the following link: The Appraisal Foundation Press Release.
    Frequently Asked Questions regarding the USPAP can be found on the following link: Frequently Asked Questions regarding the USPAP.
  • Expedited Licensure for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Holders of Special Immigrant Visas
    Starting January 1, 2021, individuals in the following categories who apply for licensure by the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers may seek an expedited licensure process.

    1. Refugees pursuant to section 1157 of title 8 of the United States Code;
    2. Those granted asylum by the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General of the United States pursuant to section 1158 of title 8 of the United States Code; or,
    3. Individuals with a special immigrant visa that have been granted a status pursuant to section 1244 of Public Law 110-181, Public Law 109-163, or section 602(b) of title VI of division F of Public Law 111-8.

    In order to receive the expedited licensure process, individuals must provide documentation of their refugee, asylee, or special immigrant visa status when submitting their application package. Please note that this does not mean a license must be issued, but simply that the process will be expedited.

    Click here for information and documentation examples.

  • Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Examination – PSI Online
    PSI Online, BREA's examination provider, has provided information on examination sites and rescheduling.
  • Email Scam Alert
    Scam Alert (pdf)

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