Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How will I know if the course, seminar, or workshop that I plan to attend will qualify as continuing education for my IAAO designation?
Answer: Education programs that are acceptable for recertification credit are local, state, provincial, national, or international assessor or appraisal sponsored courses, seminars, workshops, or symposia or any university or college course on subjects related to appraising, assessing, cadastral mapping, or assessment administration. Specifically excluded are organizational business meetings, committee meetings, or social functions and attendance at annual conferences other than specific workshops or seminar sessions at such conferences. The maximum number of recertification credit hours that can be granted for one program is 45; the minimum is one. Contact us if you still have questions.
Question: How do I submit my continuing education hours for recertification credit?
Answer: You can enter, maintain, and submit hours for your cycle using the online IAAO Continuing Education Log (located on the IAAO website). Keep proof of attendance and any other supporting documentation on file in case you are audited; there is no need to furnish these with your log, but you can upload and include them as attachments.
Question: When should I submit my continuing education hours?
Answer: You may add hours to your log form any time during your cycle. Completed log forms, showing you have met the recertification requirements, are due 28 February following the last year of your current cycle. Inquiries about qualifying hours may be submitted at any time for review by program staff.
Question: Can I access my recertification hours on the IAAO web-site?
Answer: If you started and saved an online Continuing Education Log form, yes you can use the link in the confirmation email you received to return to the form to view the hours you previously entered. Please see the accompanying Information Sheet on using the log form to learn how to view your hours from qualifying IAAO educational events.
Question: I am new to USPAP. What do I need to know?
Answer: USPAP education consists of two different courses: the 15 Hour National course and the 7 Hour National Update course. The intent is for appraisal practitioners to first complete the full 15 Hour National course; most designees do this as candidates. Thereafter, practitioners are to then complete the USPAP Update courses for continuing education; these courses are updated every two years. As an IAAO designee, you are expected to complete a minimum of two National USPAP Update courses from two, different USPAP education cycles, during each recertification cycle. This means it is important for you to complete USPAP Update courses throughout your cycle. It is also important for you to observe which release you are completing. For example, if you complete the 2022/2023 USPAP Update in 2022, completing it again in 2023 will not count towards recertification; it will be the same course you completed in 2022. You would want to wait and ensure you complete the 2024/2025 USPAP Update course as your second course to fulfill the requirements.
Question: I am required to complete at least 14 hours of educational courses on the Uniform Standards of Practice and Professional Ethics (USPAP). Can I take the two-day course?
Answer: Yes, you may complete the two-day, 15-Hour National USPAP course (with or without exam) as long as you also complete another USPAP course from a different USPAP education cycle during your recertification cycle. A new USPAP course is released every two years. For example, for a 2022-2026 cycle, if you complete the 2022/2023 15-Hour National USPAP course, you must also complete a 2024/2025 or 2026/2027 National USPAP course (15 hour or 7 hour update) during your cycle. Approved courses are IAAO Workshops 151, 181, 191, and any Appraisal Foundation approved National USPAP course. You must complete two National USPAP courses, from two different USPAP education cycles, during each recertification cycle.
Question: Can I take the online USPAP National Update course provided by McKissock?
Answer: Yes, we accept this online version, even if your state does not.
Question: I am in the last year of my recertification cycle and I have only completed the current USPAP Update release; I did not complete a release earlier in my cycle. What options are available to me?
Answer: You can apply for a one year extension to your recertification cycle and complete the next release as soon as it becomes available. We've noted that McKissock often has the next release available a month or two before the effective date; please contact them directly for details.
Question: I have taken more hours than is required. Can the additional hours be applied to my next cycle?
Answer: No, all hours for a cycle must be earned within the cycle dates.
Question: How often can I expect to receive an updated recertification credit summary?
Answer: Summaries are provided each time a log is processed and upon request.
Question: I am nearing the end of my recertification cycle. I have not yet completed the required number of educational hours. What can I do?
Answer: You may request a one-year extension of your recertification cycle by completing the Extension Form and paying the applicable extension fee. Only one extension is available per recertification cycle.
Question: Can I repeat a course I've completed in the past and use it towards recertifying my designation?
Answer: Yes, you may retake a course you've completed in the past and use the hours earned towards recertification. However, a course can only be applied once per cycle. If you complete a course more than once during a cycle, only one instance of that course can count towards recertification.