Anyone who wants to assign value to real estate property must meet a variety of assessor qualifications. Obtaining a license and certification are, in general, required assessor qualifications. For most assessor positions, an educational foundation of at least an undergraduate degree is also required. Assessor qualifications are also frequently obtained through on-the-job training at a local tax assessment agency.
The qualifications for working as an assessor can vary depending on a number of factors. Regional mandates exist in some places, dictating how a local tax assessment agency sets qualification standards. Assessor qualifications may also be influenced by the type of property or valuing restrictions in a particular town.
Become a certified licensed assessor may be required by most local agencies. This qualification can be obtained by enrolling in a regional authority-approved assessor training program. Typically, licensing and certification training programs prepare students to demonstrate the competencies required in the field of assessors.
Most assessor certification programs cover a number of competency areas. Because it covers the primary job function, evaluating real estate property is usually a key competency. Another core competency is familiarity with the planning process for conducting an assessment. Mastering the validation process also demonstrates an understanding of how to correctly interpret data related to property values.
An individual can prepare for an examination by completing a training program. In general, the exam assesses a person’s understanding of key property assessment competencies. The licensing authority that oversees the profession may issue a license certifying that the individual meets assessor qualifications if they pass the exam.
While obtaining a certification as a certified assessor is an important qualification, it may restrict the assessor’s activities. An assessor, for example, may only be qualified to evaluate residential properties. Another restriction could be that the assessed residential properties cannot exceed a certain monetary value.
Assessor qualifications may differ in terms of their educational component depending on the jurisdiction. An undergraduate degree, including courses related to the real estate industry, may be required in some jurisdictions. Other jurisdictions may recognize a degree in statistics or business law as providing an individual with the necessary skills.
In some jurisdictions, a formal education is not required before obtaining a license and certification. If this is the case, the regional or local government will establish minimum requirements for becoming a certified assessor. This could include a set number of hours of on-the-job training in real estate property valuations. Some jurisdictions may also require completion of basic property assessment courses.