How We Work
Developing Standards and Qualifications of Excellence
Setting standards and qualifications is only one part of our mission at The Appraisal Foundation® (Foundation). Equally important is how we create those standards and qualifications—with transparency, public participation, and a commitment to public trust.
Our Standards and Qualifications Process
How Appraiser Oversight Works in the U.S.
Working with the ASC
How we Support our Work
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Our Standards and Qualifications Process
Standards and qualifications don’t happen behind closed doors. Every change to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP®), the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria (Criteria), and the Personal Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria follows a deliberate, public process designed to ensure credibility, objectivity, and independence.
We believe the most effective standards and qualifications are those built through:
- Independent research and in-depth analysis
- Public exposure drafts that invite stakeholder feedback
- Volunteer expert work groups from across the profession
- Open comment periods and public meetings held nationwide
This process results in trusted frameworks that guide the appraisal profession and support consistency, fairness, and public confidence.
How Appraiser Oversight Works in the U.S.
The real property appraisal profession operates within a unique three-tier regulatory system in the United States — a structure designed to protect the public and ensure consistent, independent valuation practices.
Federal level
The Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) provides oversight of the states and monitors The Appraisal Foundation® (the Foundation)’s activities.
State level
State appraiser regulatory agencies credential and enforce standards for real property appraisers.
Private level
The Foundation sets independent standards and qualifications that guide the profession nationwide.
Together, this system supports public trust in the appraisal profession by balancing federal oversight, state enforcement, and independent expertise.
To learn more about the regulatory system, click below.
Working With the ASC
The Appraisal Foundation®'s (Foundation) works closely with the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC), the federal agency responsible for monitoring and overseeing the appraisal regulatory system in the United States.
The ASC monitors and reviews the Foundation’s activities, ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to our Congressional responsibilities.
While the Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization, the ASC plays a critical role in monitoring the work of our boards, attending meetings, and providing feedback on proposed standards and qualifications. This partnership helps ensure that our work remains responsive, transparent, and accountable to the public good.
For added transparency, all correspondence between the ASC and the Foundation, including meeting feedback and formal letters, is publicly available.
Correspondences by Year
How We Support Our Work
The Foundation does not receive federal appropriations. A primary source of revenue comes from the sale of USPAP®, which is authorized by Congress and recognized across the profession.
This allows us to remain independent and focused on maintaining trusted standards.
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Our work is driven by experts who bring diverse experience from across the profession. These people serve on Boards, Panels, and working groups to help shape the future of appraisal standards.
Decisions about standards and qualifications are made by our independent Boards—guided by public input, research, and recommendations from working groups.
Our governance approach ensures decisions are thoughtful, transparent, and always focused on serving the public good.
Interested in getting involved? We welcome a range of voices to help us grow the future of the appraisal profession.
