In Colorado, the first level of appraisal licensure is the Licensed Appraiser.
This requires 150 hours of appraisal qualifying education (QE) and 1,000 hours of appraisal work experience (should be finished within 6 months).
That might sound like a big jump, especially if you compare it to other states that start off with Appraiser Trainees.
Well, there’s nothing you can do but find the best education to jumpstart your career right away.
We’re here to help.
Today, we’re going to review the best real estate appraisal courses in Colorado. This way, you’ll know which are the best of the best, as well as which is the best for YOU.
So let’s get started!
The 4 Best Online Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Colorado
Here are the 4 best online real estate appraisal courses providers in Colorado:
Let’s discuss each one!
McKissock Learning
McKissock is one of the most trusted real estate education providers not just in Colorado, but in the whole country.
For more than 30 years, they have been offering top-notch appraisal courses. Rest assured McKissock has more than what you need to kickstart your career!
The best part is that they have 2 delivery methods. You can choose to study their courses online or through Livestream. This makes it great for any type of learner.
If you go for online, there are 3 packages available:
150-hr The Basics Package ($1499.95)
150-hr Advanced Pro Package ($2099.95)
CO QE Unlimited Learning Subscription ($1699)
For the best value for money, we highly recommend the CO QE Unlimited Learning Subscription. Not only do you get all the required appraisal QE courses, but you can also avail of webinars, discounts, weekly Q&As, and more.
Note: all courses must be completed within one year. If you have unfinished courses, you have 30 days to extend your subscription.
Another leading real estate education provider is Kaplan. They are your one-stop-shop for all things appraisal.
Whether you’re planning to take the qualifying or continuing education appraisal courses, Kaplan always delivers up-to-date and high-quality content. Plus, they even have tools to help you prepare for your appraisal exam.
Unfortunately, at the moment, Kaplan only offers 1 Live Online course in Colorado. This is the 15-hour USPAP course. If you want to take this course separately, then you know that Kaplan offers the most up-to-date USPAP course out there.
But if you want a complete package, then Kaplan isn’t the school for you.
VanEd has been widely known in the real estate industry since 1997. Through the years, they provided real estate education to more than 165,000 professionals.
All of their courses are state-approved and certified by ARELLO, IDECC, and the Colorado Board of Appraisers.
In Colorado, they offer a 75-hour Basic Appraisal Course Package that includes USPAP. They also offer these courses individually.
As you might notice, they only offer the most basic courses. For the remaining 75 hours (to complete the required 150 hours), you’ll have to get them elsewhere.
What we like about VanEd, though, is that they offer a FREE 5-day trial on their courses. If you find it isn’t the course for you, you don’t have to waste money!
What’s more, they offer unlimited instructor support.
Hondros College offers several programs to help students succeed in their chosen career path. Their online courses are recognized in almost every state.
Being in the industry for more than 50 years, they have a proven track record of providing excellent real estate and appraisal courses.
Now, they do not offer a complete appraisal course package in Colorado. They do, however, have all the courses that are needed to complete the required 150 hours of QE. You will have to buy it separately, though.
And, as the cheapest course costs around $199, you might have to pay a higher price to get the complete list.
If you’re not sure if you’ll like their online platform, you can check out their course demo before you take the plunge.
Real Estate Appraisal in Colorado FAQs
Got any questions? Read through the FAQ section below.
What are the License Levels of Real Estate Appraisers in Colorado?
In Colorado, real estate appraisers are classified into four levels:
- Ad Valorem
- Licensed Appraiser
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- Certified General Appraiser
How Do I Become a Licensed Appraiser in Colorado?
First of all, before becoming an appraiser in Colorado, you need to meet the basic requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Have a valid Social Security Number
For Certified Residential Appraiser and Certified General Appraiser, there are additional requirements that we will discuss below.
For Ad Valorem
Note: this level is only for appraiser employees of country tax assessment offices.
You don’t need to have any prior experience related to real estate. You just need to complete the 110-hour qualifying appraisal course from an approved education provider in Colorado.
Once you complete the 110-hour appraisal course, you need to apply for an Ad Valorem license with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Real Estate.
The last step is to pass the Colorado Ad Valorem Appraiser Examination.
For Licensed Appraiser
To become a Licensed Appraiser, you need to have at least 1000 hours of appraisal experience that was acquired for 6 months.
You will also need to complete the 150-hour qualifying appraisal course. If you already took the 110-hour appraisal course for Ad Valorem, you only need to take additional 40 hours.
Upon completion, apply for a Licensed Appraiser with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Real Estate.
Then, pass the Colorado Licensed Residential Appraisal Exam.
For Certified Residential Appraiser
You need one additional requirement to obtain a license as a Certified Residential Appraiser. This is:
- Have a Bachelor’s Degree or a college-level course of 30 semester hours.
The good thing is, if you have a good standing as a Licensed Appraiser for a minimum of 5 years, the college-level requirement can be waived.
For working experience, you need a minimum of 1500 hours of appraisal experience in no less than 12 months. Then, you should take additional appraisal courses to get 200 hours of appraisal education.
After the 200-hour appraisal courses, apply for the Certified Residential Appraiser and pass the Colorado Certified Residential Appraisal Exam.
For Certified General Appraiser
The basic requirement is to have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher and have 3000 hours of appraisal experience that is obtained for over 18 months. 1500 hours should be from non-residential appraisal jobs.
When you fulfill those requirements, again, apply to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, Division of Real Estate, and pass the Colorado Certified General Appraisal Exam.
Conclusion
Completing your appraisal licensing requirements can be time-consuming.
Luckily, online courses are now available for your convenience!
You won’t have to adjust your schedules anymore! Plus, you can do it at your own pace!
You just need to enroll in a credible and excellent education institution in Colorado to help you achieve your goals and have a successful career as an appraiser.
So what are you waiting for?
Choose any of these 4 best real estate appraisal courses in Colorado and you’re sure to get the quality education you deserve!