ASA AM

ASA accredits appraisers across six disciplines: Appraisal Review & Management (ARM), Business Valuation (BV), Gems & Jewelry (GJ), Machinery & Technical Specialties (MTS), Personal Property (PP), and Real Property (RP). ASA states it is the only professional appraisal organization accrediting professional appraisers from all six. You choose the discipline matching your practice.

Content is discipline-specific, so the exam reflects the body of knowledge for your chosen area. ASA publishes a separate accreditation guide, forms, and checklists for each discipline. Build your study plan from those official discipline materials rather than from generic appraisal content, since the scope differs substantially between, for example, GJ and BV.

Start with the ASA accreditation guide and checklist for your discipline, since those define what evidence and knowledge are expected. Then work through the discipline's education courses, followed by ASA's standards, ethics, and policies, and the USPAP requirements specific to your discipline. Finish with practice applying concepts to realistic assignment scenarios.

ASA lists an Education Equivalency Program for several disciplines, including Business Valuation, Gems & Jewelry, Personal Property, and Real Property. This means prior coursework may satisfy some education expectations. Check the equivalency details on the credentialing pages for your specific discipline before enrolling in additional courses.

Two failure modes stand out. First, studying generic appraisal material instead of the discipline-specific guide and checklist. Second, treating ethics and standards as an afterthought, when ASA explicitly frames its credentials around compliance with high ethical and professional standards. Candidates who skip USPAP requirements for their discipline also put themselves at a disadvantage.

ASA maintains a reaccreditation process, listed under each discipline's credentialing section. The source material does not state a specific validity period, so confirm the current reaccreditation cycle and requirements directly with ASA before your renewal date rather than relying on secondhand figures.

ASA states that appraisers with ASA credentials stand out in a crowded market and gain access to a global network of fellow member experts offering expanded client referrals and career advancement opportunities. ASA also cites demand from banks, finance companies, insurance underwriters, attorneys, estate planners, financial analysts, CFOs, and CPAs.

Per ASA, its credentials demonstrate achievement of stringent levels of professional development and accreditation, represent compliance with high ethical and professional standards, and foster public trust. ASA also frames the credential as acknowledgement of your knowledge, skills, and experience, and credibility that you can do the job right the first time.

Only through ASA directly. Contact ASA at 800-ASA-VALU or [email protected], or use the APPLY Online links on the credentialing pages for your discipline. This page is independent study material and does not set or guarantee any fee, deadline, or requirement.