Looking to earn a bit of extra cash?
Want to find a career that doesn’t require a college degree?
Real estate appraisal is the answer!
With fast-growing employment opportunities to meet the increasing demand for Washington properties yearly, you can’t go wrong here.
However, before you can get started, you’ll have to complete mandatory pre-licensing/qualifying education (QE) appraisal courses to get a Trainee Appraisal license.
“I have to go back to the classroom?!”
Not necessarily. In Washington, you’ll be able to complete your education completely online! This makes it very convenient, flexible, and affordable.
And to make it even more convenient, we’re going to list and review the 4 best real estate appraisal courses in Washington for you.
Let’s get straight to it.
The Best Online Real Estate Appraisal Courses in Washington
The top 4 real estate appraisal course providers in Washington are:
Let’s have a look at each one.
McKissock Learning
McKissock started way back in the 1990s and has grown to become the most premier real estate school across the US.
McKissock, along with its sister company Colibri Real Estate, has dominated the market, serving over 2 million customers and counting.
This is not surprising, considering the quality of the courses they offer, complete with affordable packages and options to suit the learning styles of aspiring appraisers.
Now, if you’re looking to get your Trainee Appraisal license, you’ll have the option to choose between 3 on-demand packages. These packages allow you to take the course whenever and wherever.
The 3 on-demand course options are:
The Basics Package
Advanced Pro Package
WA QE Unlimited Learning Subscription
With the Basics Package, you’ll get all the educational essentials you’ll need to get your Trainee license. These study materials are divided into bite-sized lessons to make learning much easier.
The Advanced Pro Package takes it to another level, with extra Q&A sessions every week. You’ll be able to directly clarify any doubts with experienced appraisers and qualified instructors.
The WA QE Unlimited Learning Subscription is the ultimate offering, with everything and then some. Here, you’ll not only get access to all the courses you need for a Trainee license, but you’ll also get additional courses amounting to 300 hours of course content to gain even more insight.
Additionally, you get hundreds of hours of video lectures, webinars, and access to experienced professionals. Talk about value for your money!
Meanwhile, if you’re looking for a classroom experience, McKissock offers live streaming packages, too. This brings the classroom to you, with direct instructor access from the comfort of your home!
So if you’re looking for extra support, different learning methods, and experienced guidance, you can’t go wrong with McKissock.
Hondros College is another great online school that offers up-to-date appraisal courses to get your license within Washington.
Starting in the 1980s, this school has grown to offer a range of different courses, from appraisal pre-licensing to salesperson continuing education. They appeal to the whole real estate industry.
With their on-demand appraisal courses, you get interactive study materials divided into smaller segments that are easy to go through. Plus, they have navigable controls and features to make it all the more intuitive.
Their platform is also modern and user-friendly, so you won’t have to face any annoying bugs or confusion when taking the course.
What’s more, their courses have been designed by an expert group of instructors. In fact, these instructs are experienced appraisers who’ve poured their experience into the learning material to offer you relevant information.
However, you won’t get a lot of additional features unlike in McKissock. The school only offers you a single package that has all 79 hours of appraisal pre-licensing courses in Washington.
This also means you won’t be able to access 24/7 customer support and extra instructor guidance. If you’re looking for greater support as you learn, this might not be the school for you.
But if you’re looking for a basic course, with an easy-to-use online platform, then Hondros is a great choice to consider.
The Appraisal Institute is the oldest education provider on this list, having been operating since the 1930s!
Through the years they’ve grown a lot, with chapters and local institutes in numerous states, including the Seattle Chapter of the Appraisal Institute.
Alongside the course material, you’ll benefit from their network and will be able to connect with other aspiring and present appraisers in the state. Not only that, you can connect with some of the best appraisers in the country as well.
However, their site and course platform aren’t the easiest to navigate and smoothest to study. You have to search for the individual courses and may have to contend with some bugs.
That said, the lessons will get you through everything you need to know. Plus, it will satisfy state requirements to get your Trainee Appraisal license.
Additionally, you can become a member, which will give you lots of benefits for resources, connections, webinars, etc…
Though VanEd is best known for its test prep resources, they also offer great appraisal licensing in Washington.
Their courses were made by their own experienced team of appraisers. This means you’ll benefit from the extra insight that can help you with your career.
You’ll also get a lot of support from their experienced instructors. They are always available to answer your questions through both phone and email support.
If you’re unsure about this online school, you can start with a 5-day free trial. You’ll be able to get a good sense of what they offer before you decide to commit.
The only downside with VanEd is that they don’t offer the complete 75 hours.
They only offer the Basic Apprisal Principles (30hrs) and Basic Appraisal Procedures (30hours). You’ll have to find the National USPAP Update (15hrs) elsewhere.
However, if you’re looking for a course with great insight, with experienced instructor support along the way, VanEd is a school you’ll be interested in.
Appraisal Courses in Washington FAQs
What are the required appraisal courses in Washington?
In Washington, the Appraisal Trainee Course is 75-hours long. The course consists of 3 parts:
- Basic Appraisal Principles - 30 Hours
- Basic Appraisal Procedures - 30 Hours
- National USPAP Update - 15 Hours
You’ll also have to gain experience under a Certified Appraiser in the state to get a license. Schools such as McKissock offer you the additional 4-hour Supervised Course to fulfill this.
What are the requirements to become an appraiser in Washington?
To get an appraisal license in Washington, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have at least a high school diploma or equivalent
- Complete the 75-hour Trainee Educational Course
- Complete supervision under a Certified Appraiser
Should I study my appraisal courses online or in-person?
While in-person learning does have its advantages in that you’ll be able to network with peers and have direct access to your instructors, the rigid schedule and timetable may be difficult to keep up with. This is especially true if you’re managing a job alongside your studies.
Online schools solve this by offering you on-demand courses that you can take anywhere and at any time. You get to manage your responsibilities and studies your way.
Additionally, if you prefer the classroom setting, some online schools offer live streaming packages. This will allow you to gain all the advantages of in-person learning from the comfort of your home.
How much do online appraisal courses cost in Washington?
Generally, online courses in the state range between $800-$1500, depending on the school and program you select.
In-person schools are even more expensive, often costing above $1500.
Conclusion
Are you looking for the best online appraisal education options in Washington?
The above list offers some of the most credible and convenient online real estate appraisal courses. Rest assured you’re in good hands whichever school you pick.
Good luck with your new career!