Chief Appraiser Says
Reading the actual guideline text below — never a general AI guess
California Appraiser Licensing Law — What It Actually Requires
Here's what we're looking at: California's appraiser licensing law (officially called the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers Practice Act) is the state's rulebook for who can practice as an appraiser and what they have to do. To get and keep a license, appraisers in California have to show they've got the right education and work experience beforehand, then stick to professional standards once they're licensed—and they have to keep their skills sharp over time. The law also requires that appraisers tell loan applicants certain things in writing (though the excerpts shown here cut off partway through that section, so we don't have the complete disclosure requirements). Beyond the basic licensing piece, appraisers operating in California must follow all federal, state, and local laws, including fair housing rules that prevent discrimination. As of January 1, 2026, California appraisers renewing their licenses must complete a new seven-hour standalone course on valuation bias and fair housing law—this is a standalone requirement now, separate from the general ethics course they used to take.
Straight from California Appraiser Licensing Law (BREA — BP Code/CCR Title 10), HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1, and Fair Housing Law & Appraisal Bias — nothing added.
Here's what we're looking at: California's appraiser licensing law (officially called the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers Practice Act) is the state's rulebook for who can practice as an appraiser and what they have to do. To get and keep a license, appraisers in California have to show they've got the right education and work experience beforehand, then stick to professional standards once they're licensed—and they have to keep their skills sharp over time. The law also requires that appraisers tell loan applicants certain things in writing (though the excerpts shown here cut off partway through that section, so we don't have the complete disclosure requirements). Beyond the basic licensing piece, appraisers operating in California must follow all federal, state, and local laws, including fair housing rules that prevent discrimination. As of January 1, 2026, California appraisers renewing their licenses must complete a new seven-hour standalone course on valuation bias and fair housing law—this is a standalone requirement now, separate from the general ethics course they used to take.
Straight from California Appraiser Licensing Law (BREA — BP Code/CCR Title 10), HUD/FHA Single Family Handbook 4000.1, and Fair Housing Law & Appraisal Bias — nothing added.
Read the actual documents:
→ BP Codes Real Estate Appraisers (Chief Appraiser Document Library)
→ Handbook 4000.1 Transmittal (2023-01-18) (official agency copy)
Watch: Training Video for This Question
Video Library →
AI Search
General web information, outside Chief Appraiser’s vetted library — verify against the authoritative source before relying on it professionally
Searching the wider web…
© Copyright Notice: © 2026 Fannie Mae. Excerpts shown for research and reference only. Full document available at selling-guide.fanniemae.com. Reproduction restricted to Fannie Mae-approved lenders.
Relevant News
Recent public coverage related to this topic — cited, not reproduced
Nevada AB 396 casita law effective July 1, 2026
Nevada Assembly Bill 396 requires Clark County and major cities to adopt ordinances authorizing accessory dwelling units on single-family residential lots, taking effect July 1, 2026.
Read full story at Nevada Legislature →
Recent California data shows 5-10% premium for owned solar homes
California-specific data shows owned solar panels add 5–10% to home value (about $39,500–$79,000 on median homes), while leased panels generally do not add appraised value.
Read full story at Open Door →
0.158
— The estimate of the value of a property. See Value. Appraiser — The professionally skilled individual who estimates the monetary value of property. Appraiser Licensing and…
IAAO Standards · IAAO-Glossary_3rd-Ed_final.pdf · Page 16
— The estimate of the value of a property. See Value. Appraiser — The professionally skilled individual who estimates the monetary value of property. Appraiser Licensing and Certification — A procedure whereby appraisers gain permission from the United States, state, and territorial licensing agencies to practice without supervision by demonstrating appropriate (pre — licensing) experience and education skills and by agreeing to maintain and improve their skills and to conduct themselves in accordance with professional standards set by either The Appraisal Foundation’s Appraisal Standards Board or an appraisal organization. Appraiser Qualifications Board — The independent division of The Appraisal Foundation that establishes education, experience, and other criteria for licensing, certification, and reclassifi- cation of qualified appraisers. See Appraiser. Appreciation —
0.105
--- Source: California Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 3 -- "Licensing and Certification of Real Estate Appraisers" (Sections 11300-11425) Also known as the Bureau…
California Appraiser Licensing Law (BREA — BP Code/CCR Title 10) · BP_Codes_Real_Estate_Appraisers.txt · Page 1
--- Source: California Business and Professions Code, Division 4, Part 3 -- "Licensing and Certification of Real Estate Appraisers" (Sections 11300-11425) Also known as the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA) Practice Act. Official source (BREA-compiled copy): https://www.brea.ca.gov/pdf/bp_codes.pdf Retrieved: July 28, 2026 (BREA's own copy states "As of January 1, 2026") Public domain (government statute) -- no copyright restriction. KNOWN GAP: this pull cuts off partway through Section 11423 (the appraisal- notice-to-loan-applicant section) and is missing the rest of 11423 (subsections h-i), plus Sections 11424 and 11425 -- all part of Chapter 9 ("Miscellaneous"). Confirmed via California's official statute site (leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) that 11423(h) covers Regulation B/ECOA compliance and 11423(i) is a savings clause; 11424/11425 not yet pulled. Flagging honestly rather
0.081
(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) that 11423(h) covers Regulation B/ECOA compliance and 11423(i) is a savings clause; 11424/11425 not yet pulled. Flagging honestly rather than…
California Appraiser Licensing Law (BREA — BP Code/CCR Title 10) · BP_Codes_Real_Estate_Appraisers.txt · Page 2
(leginfo.legislature.ca.gov) that 11423(h) covers Regulation B/ECOA compliance and 11423(i) is a savings clause; 11424/11425 not yet pulled. Flagging honestly rather than presenting this as complete -- follow-up needed to fetch the missing tail. --- As of January 1, 2026 Page 1 Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers Practice Act California Business and Professions Code Division 4. Real Estate Part 3. Licensing and Certification of Real Estate Appraisers Sections 11300-11425 NOTICE: THIS DOCUMENT WAS CURRENT WHEN ASSEMBLED; HOWEVER, STATUTES AND REGULATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. BREA MAKES NO REPRESENTATION AS TO THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE READER TO CONSULT CURRENT CODE BOOKS. Preamble 11300-11301 Chapter 1: Definitions 11302 Chapter 2: Administration 11310-11319.2 Chapter