Appraiser Foundation Introduction

The Appraisal Foundation is a private, not-for-profit corporation charged by Title XI with the responsibility of establishing, improving and promoting minimum uniform appraisal standards and appraiser qualifications criteria. The Foundation serves as the parent organization for two independent boards established to accomplish this mission: Appraisal Standards Board (the "ASB") and the Appraiser Qualifications Board (the "AQB"). These Boards respectively promulgate and maintain the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice ("USPAP") and the Appraiser Qualifications Criteria.

All State certified appraisers must meet the AQB Criteria, as imposed by the State appraiser regulatory agencies. In addition, all State appraiser certification and licensing laws require certified and licensed appraisers to conform to USPAP when performing appraisals in connection with federally related transactions and to use USPAP as the basis for enforcement actions.

The Foundation also ensures that information regarding USPAP and the Criteria is disseminated to State and Federal regulators, appraisers, users of appraisal services, and the general public. The Foundation sells copies of USPAP upon request and provides copies of the Criteria at no charge. USPAP and the Criteria also can be viewed on Foundation's Web site. The Foundation also provides every licensed and certified appraiser with a complimentary quarterly newsletter. In addition, the Foundation sponsors appropriate activities relating to standards, qualifications, and issues of importance to appraisers and users of appraisal services.

Title XI requires that the ASC provide grants to the Foundation in such amounts as the ASC deems appropriate to support the Foundation's Title XI-related activities. Title XI also requires the ASC to monitor and review the practices, procedures, activities and organizational structure of the Foundation.

These Web pages contain correspondence between the ASC and the Foundation, the AQB, or the ASB.