Ohio Division of Real Estate Announces Changes to Ohio Appraiser Program
The Ohio Division of Real Estate has been working very hard to establish an online application process for users, and have announced a tentative “go-live” date for this service.
- Tentatively, they anticipate beginning to accept online applications and payments beginning Monday, October 20, 2025.
- All paper applications that are brought to the Division’s offices must be received by the close of business on Friday, October 17, 2025.
- Any paper applications mailed to the Division must be postmarked and placed in the mail by Friday, October 17, 2025.
Continue to monitor these dates on the Division’s website for any changes.
Education requirements for Ohio real estate appraiser credentials are also changing.
These changes will affect existing and new Ohio real estate appraisers.
The Ohio Real Estate Appraiser Board adopted the Appraiser Qualifications Board’s education requirements related to the Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws & Regulations course. The AQB requires these changes to be in effect by January 1, 2026. Consequently, these changes will be integrated during the on-going conversation of appraiser credential terms from one year to two years.
Below is a brief summary regarding implementation of the changes for existing appraiser credential holders.
Appraisers with a current credential expiration date of December 31, 2025 or earlier
- The 7-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course will not be required for your 2025 renewal application. You will be subject to the renewal requirements you received earlier this year from the Division. If you file a renewal application on or before October 17, 2025, you will file the following paper application (2025 two-year renewal application). Otherwise, you will complete this renewal application online through the Division’s website on or after October 20, 2025.
- For more information about your current and future requirements, please select the following link and select the drop down tab for “current expiration date – April 9, 2025 to December 31, 2025”.
Appraisers with a current credential expiration date of January 1, 2026 to April 8, 2026
- The 7-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course will be required for your 2026 renewal application. If you file a paper renewal application on or before October 17, 2025, you will complete the following application (2026 two-year renewal application). Otherwise, you will complete this renewal application online through the Division’s website on or after October 20, 2025.
- For more information about your current and future requirements, please select the following link and select the drop down tab for “current expiration date – January 1, 2026 to April 8, 2026”.
Appraisers with a current credential expiration date of April 9, 2027 to December 31, 2027
- The 7-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course will be required for your 2027 renewal application.
- For more information about your current and future requirements, please select the following link and select the drop down tab for “current expiration date – April 9, 2027 to December 31, 2027”.
As discussed earlier, these changes also affect new appraiser applicants. Below is a brief summary of how these changes will affect applicants who are seeking a new Ohio appraiser license, certificate, or registration.
- Any new appraiser credential applications received by the Division on or after January 1, 2026 must include proof of completion of the 8-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Law course.
- This requirement applies to individuals who are brand new to the industry or who are existing appraiser credential holders seeking to upgrade their appraiser credential (i.e., upgrading from an appraiser license to a certificate).
- The 8-hour class includes a class examination. The class examination is only required for those applicants who are seeking to obtain a new appraiser credential. The class examination is not required for those existing appraisers who need to complete the class for their continuing education requirements.
- Any new appraiser credential applications received by the Division on or before December 31, 2025 do not need to include proof of completion of the 8-hour Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course.
- For more information about these changes affecting new appraiser applicants, please select the following link to the Division’s website.
- New appraiser applicants need to carefully plan for this change that will occur after December 31, 2025.
