Third Quarter Update – Letter from Aaron Emerson

Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Course Requirements

Effective January 1, 2026, the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) has mandated all appraisers to complete a Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course.

Recent discussions with the AQB indicated the bias course requirement was implemented to ensure appraisers have a formal education on fair housing laws and valuation bias, which is essential to promote and maintain public trust. Similar training courses are required for mortgage professionals and REALTORS®.

Based on the AQB Criteria requirements for this course, the Real Estate Appraiser Board has adopted the following schedule for completion of this course:

• All appraisers must complete a 7-hour continuing education version of this course no later than December 31, 2026.
• Every two calendar years thereafter, all appraisers must complete a 4-hour version of the bias course.
• The first cycle of the 4-hour course will be January 1, 2027-December 31, 2028.
• The two-year cycle for the 4-hour version will then coincide with the 7-Hour Update course and is an odd-year, even-year cycle.
• All new appraiser applicants must take the 8-hour tested version.
• The board has already begun accepting applications for education providers for the Valuation Bias and Fair Housing course for next year. These educational providers include ASFMRA, McKissock, The CE Shop and Trusted Advisors Gap Services.

Fannie Mae Selling Guide – Identification of Unacceptable Practices and Terminology