by Tamora Papas, SRA, CRP
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Greetings from the Chair,
It is with a heavy heart that I let you know that my term will be coming to an end in June. It has been the greatest pleasure of my career to serve the District's appraiser community. With that said, I will relinquish my chair position to allow for a smooth transition. Note that I will stay on the Board until a replacement is found. So, if you would like to be on the Board and you are a residential appraiser that lives in the District, please go out to the website of the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments (MOTA) - https://mota.dc.gov/ and click through the link entitled “Join A Board or Commission”. The Board needs you.
In this newsletter, you will find articles on the new AQB licensure requirements for both QE and CE, so read closely and if you have questions don’t hesitate to reach out. Also keep a look out for our December 2025 7 Hour USPAP Update course once again.
I want to remind everyone, if you have questions for the Board, be sure to join us for one of our monthly meetings, held every third Wednesday, except for August, when we are on recess.
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The license renewal period will soon be here. License types up for renewal are
- Trainee
- Licensed residential
- Certified Residential
- Certified General
All of which will expire on 2/28/2026.
The current system can only accommodate CE certificate uploads in renewal applications. Please keep your continuing education completion certificates in a secure place so that you can present them in the event of a continuing education compliance audit.
Licensees will be notified via email that the renewal process is underway. There is a 60 day late renewal period, during which licensees can complete their renewal and renew licenses with a late fee penalty. There will be a fifty ($50.00) late fee accessed during this period. Once the 60 day late renewal period ends, licensees will need to reinstate their license at a fee of $445.00.
Please note that licenses are issued digitally. Licensees will be able to display an electronic version of their license or be able to print them out via visiting their Access DC accounts.
To view and print your DC License:
- Visit https://accessdc.dcra.dc.gov/app/UserHome NOTE: You may need to create an “AccessDC” account if you haven’t already.
- Select button labeled: "Occupational and Prof. License Renewal Form"
- Click "Home" on the menu above the "OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSE RENEWAL APPLICATION"
- Click on link labeled "My Licenses" at the top of the browser window
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Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations
The Mayor gave notice notice of her intent to adopt amendments to Chapter 23 (Real Estate Appraisers) of Title 17 (Business, Occupations, and Professionals) of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR).
Beginning January 1, 2026, appraisers have to complete a new course requirement in every licensing cycle. The change requires that real estate appraisers take a Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations Course and receive education on the topics of valuation bias and fair housing laws and regulations.
The District of Columbia's proposed rulemaking follows a recommendation and vote to amend the real estate appraiser licensure requirements to align with the modifications to the Real Property Qualification Criteria (Criteria) adopted by the Appraiser Qualification Board (AQB) on June 22, 2023, which the AQB will incorporate into the 2026 edition of the Criteria with an effective date of January 1, 2026. The Board approved the proposed changes by a majority vote during its meeting on November 20, 2024. The proposed rulemaking can be viewed at this link:
https://www.dcregs.dc.gov/Common/NoticeDetail.aspx?NoticeId=N140158
Background
Historically, appraisal practices have faced scrutiny for their role in perpetuating housing discrimination and bias. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was a landmark legislation aimed at eliminating discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability in housing-related activities. Despite this act, disparities remain, and the need for comprehensive training in Fair Housing and Bias has become increasingly evident.
New Requirements for Qualifying Education (QE)
Course Content
The new QE requirements mandate the inclusion of Fair Housing and Bias education as a core component of appraiser training. Courses should cover:
• Historical context of housing discrimination and the Fair Housing Act
• Understanding implicit bias and its impact on appraisal practices
• Strategies for identifying and mitigating bias in property valuation
• Case studies and real-world examples of discrimination in housing
Course Duration
The first time an appraiser completes the continuing education requirement for this course, the appraiser must complete a seven (7) hour course. An appraiser who has completed an eight (8) hour course (i.e., a seven (7) hour course and a one (1) hour exam) as part of their qualifying education satisfies the requirement. Every two (2) calendar years thereafter, the course length must be at least four (4) hours. The District's proposed rulemaking updates the real estate appraiser prelicensure education requirements to increase the total number of classroom hours to be a Licensed Residential
Real Property Appraiser and an Appraisal Trainee by eight (8) hours to align with the Criteria. The update adds that the updated eighty-three (83) credit hours to be an Appraisal Trainee may count towards the classroom hours to be a Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser and a Certified General Property Appraiser
Assessment and Certification
Upon completion of the Fair Housing and Bias course, appraisers must undergo an assessment to evaluate their grasp of the material. Successful candidates will receive certification, acknowledging their proficiency in addressing bias and promoting fair housing practices.
New Requirements for Continuing Education (CE)
Ongoing Training
Continuing Education ensures that appraisers stay updated on current laws, best practices, and emerging trends. The new CE requirements introduce mandatory Fair Housing and Bias courses to reinforce knowledge and skills acquired during QE. Licensees should note that the AQB changed the name of the “7-Hour National USPAP Update Course” to the “7-Hour National USPAP Continuing Education Course” to better reflect the course’s purpose and content.
Course Content
CE courses will revisit fundamental Fair Housing and Bias concepts while introducing advanced topics, such as:
- Policy changes and updates in Fair Housing regulations
- Advanced techniques for bias detection and prevention
- Impact of socioeconomic factors on appraisal outcomes
- Engaging with diverse communities and fostering inclusive practices
Course Duration
The CE requirements stipulate a minimum of 7 hours dedicated to Fair Housing and Bias education within the continuing education cycle for this first course. This ensures that appraisers continuously refresh their understanding and stay committed to equitable practices.
Ongoing Requirements
Once you have completed this initial course, you will be required to complete 4 hours CE course every license cycle, similar to the USPAP requirements, it becomes part of your total 28-hour renewal requirement.
Benefits of the New Requirements
Promoting Equity in Real Estate
By integrating Fair Housing and Bias education into QE and CE, the appraisal industry takes a significant step towards promoting equity. Appraisers equipped with this knowledge can contribute to reducing discrimination and fostering inclusive communities.
Enhancing Professional Standards
These new requirements elevate the professional standards within the appraisal industry. Education on Fair Housing and Bias ensures that appraisers make informed, unbiased decisions, enhancing the credibility and integrity of the profession.
Implementation and Compliance
Timeline
The new requirements for QE and CE courses on Fair Housing and Bias will be implemented over the next year. Appraisal schools and continuing education providers must adapt their curricula to meet these standards by the designated deadline.
Monitoring and Enforcement
Professional appraisal organizations and regulatory bodies will monitor compliance with the new requirements. Regular audits and assessments will ensure that appraisers adhere to the prescribed standards and continue to uphold fair housing principles.
Conclusion
The introduction of mandatory Fair Housing and Bias courses marks a pivotal moment in the appraisal industry's commitment to equity and inclusion. By embedding these courses within both Qualifying Education and Continuing Education, the industry sets a precedent for promoting fair and unbiased appraisal practices. These steps not only enhance professional standards but also contribute to building trust and fostering inclusive communities.
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Mayor Bowser recently announced the Rebalancing Expectations for Neighbors, Tenants, and Landlords (RENTAL) Act of 2025 (B26-0164). The bill, introduced in the DC Council on March 3rd, seeks to preserve the District’s affordable housing stock, protect tenant safety, and improve the system for tenants and housing providers. As licensed professionals in the District’s real estate market, this bill may affect the real estate appraiser industry. A few of the bill’s highlights are below:
- Increases the Availability of the Local Rent Supplement Program (LRSP) - allows more units to be eligible for project-based LRSP vouchers by increasing program eligibility from 30% to 50% of the area median income.
- Modernizes the Tenants Opportunity to Purchase Act (TOPA) - clarifies what transactions are eligible and that tenants are aware of their TOPA rights.
- Repositions Vacant Properties into Affordable Housing - gives the Department of Housing and Community Development the authority to acquire and reposition vacant properties to increase investment in communities and create more opportunities to develop affordable housing.
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If you have been thinking that it would be good to contribute more to the real estate community at large, then now is your chance. The Board currently has vacancies for the following:
Interested parties are welcome to submit an application at the website of the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments (MOTA) - https://mota.dc.gov/ and click through the link entitled “Join A Board or Commission”
Please note that there is a residency requirement that requires Commission members to live in Washington, DC proper during their term.
Licensees should ensure their contact information is always accurate with the DLCP system. It is each licensee's responsibility to notify the agency of changes to their contact information, which will ensure they always receive pertinent information regarding their license.
If your email address needs updating, send an email request to the Board administrator at: brittney.cheshier1@dc.gov.
Your request should include the following:
- First and last name
- License number (Include the letters and numbers)
- Old email address to delete
- New email address to add
The change request will be submitted to our IT department for processing.
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Meetings are held on Wednesdays as shown below at 10:00 am
January 15, 2025
February 19, 2025
March 19, 2025
April 23, 2025
May 21, 2025
June 19, 2025
July 16, 2025
August 2025 (RECESS)
September 17, 2025
October 15, 2025
November 19, 2025
December 17, 2025
Dates are subject to change. Call 202-442-4320 for updates.
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