Instructors & Course Providers / Course Approval Program

Eligibility requirements and submission guidelines for obtaining course approval through the AQB’s Course Approval Program.

Overview

Steps to Obtain Course Approval

The Course Approval Program (CAP), developed by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB), helps ensure real property appraisal courses meet the AQB’s minimum qualification criteria. Created as a service to state regulatory agencies and education providers, CAP offers a centralized and convenient way to access AQB-approved courses that meet established education standards for appraiser qualifications.

While participation in CAP is voluntary, the program is strongly recommended to both regulators and education providers to help promote consistency and quality in appraiser education.

Before applying, review all requirements to ensure your course and documentation meet CAP requirements.

Prepare your course content and documentation in accordance with the Criteria and CAP Policies. Required materials include:

• Instructor qualifications
• Completed application and course materials
• Learning objectives
• Quizzes and final exams
• Instructional hours
• Delivery format (in-person or online)

CAP provides Delivery Mechanism Approval for asynchronous (self-paced online) courses to help lower costs, speed up the approval process, and encourage innovation in course delivery methods. This approval option serves as an alternative, not a replacement, for IDECC/ARELLO.

If your course is asynchronous, it must be delivered through an AQB-approved delivery platform.

Approved options include:

• The AQB through the Course Approval Program (CAP)
• An AQB-approved organization that provides approval of course design and delivery (such as The Appraisal Foundation or another approved entity)
• An accredited college or university that awards academic credit for the distance education course and meets AQB criteria
• A qualifying college or university with an approved distance education delivery program that incorporates interactivity and approves both course content and delivery
  

If you are interested in becoming an AQB-approved delivery mechanism entity, please review the CAP policies and procedures and complete this application.

Once everything is ready, submit your course package as a complete electronic file. This includes the application form, course materials, and payment (fee varies by course type and length).

Information for Education Providers

Any school, organization, person, or other entity that owns the proprietary rights to a course is eligible to apply for course approval under CAP for qualifying and/or continuing education.

To apply for CAP approval, review the Course Submission Instructions and upload your complete Course Submission Documents. All applications must be submitted electronically.


Education providers are not required to apply and state appraiser regulatory agencies are not required to recognize CAP-approved courses. However, obtaining CAP approval can help streamline the course review process and support consistency across states. If your agency is interested in using CAP-approved courses as part of your state’s approval process, we’re here to support you!

Even if a course is approved through CAP, providers must still meet any additional requirements set by the specific state(s) where they seek approval or recognition.

Information for State Regulators

State appraiser regulatory agencies are not required to recognize CAP-approved courses — but for those who choose to do so, CAP offers a convenient and reliable way to review pre-approved course materials.

If your agency is interested in using CAP-approved courses as part of your state’s approval process, we’re here to support you!

The Course Approval Program operates through an electronic application system that allows state regulators to view hundreds of CAP-approved courses via a secure, password-protected website.

Access to the website is limited to state regulatory agency personnel. To request access, you’ll need to provide identification information, which will be verified by the Foundation.