Regular Members who wish to increase their appraisal proficiency may earn the designation as either an AOA Accredited Member or as an AOA Certified Member.

AOA Accredited Member Status Qualification Requirements

Read this Note regarding new IRS appraiser qualification requirements for doing certain federally-related appraisals.

Regular Members can earn the AOA designation as an Accredited Member by satisfying the following requirements. Regular Members who satisfy the below requirements for the Accredited Member designation are entitled to use the designation acronym "AOA AM" after their names.

Education	a. Complete an approved, tested course in core appraisal knowledge which focuses on personal property appraisal ethics, theory, principles, standards, methodology and report writing.
	b. Complete the 15-hour National USPAP Course and successfully complete the related exam.
	c. Demonstrate product knowledge by attending an approved course of instruction in the area of personal property appraisal specialization. As an alternative, write a thesis on your area of specialization. Click here for thesis specifications.
	d. Submit a USPAP-compliant sample Self-Contained appraisal report for review and approval. (This may be omitted if submitting a sample appraisal is a requirement of "a" above.)
Experience	Have two years of market-related experience buying, selling or appraising in your area of expertise.
Continuing Education	To maintain Accredited Member status, once every two years the member must attend the 7-hour National USPAP Update course or its online equivalent.

AOA Certified Member Status Qualification Requirements

Regular Members who satisfy the above requirements for Accredited Member status and who also satisfy the below requirements earn credentials as a Certified Member of the AOA and are entitled to use the designation acronym "AOA CM" after their names:

Experience	Have four years of market-related experience buying, selling or appraising in your area of expertise.
Examination	Successfully complete the proctored AOA Certification Exam (A short-answer, multiple-choice exam covering USPAP as well as personal property appraisal theory and principles.)
Continuing Education	To maintain Certified Member status, once every two years the member must attend the 7-hour National USPAP Update course or its online equivalent.

AOA members who hold a professional appraisal designation in other appraisal socities may automatically qualify for a comparable AOA designation. Designation pathway alternatives.