Massachusetts Chapter of the Appraisal Institute - Fall 2008 Legislative Update
(November 2008)

Boston, MA–11/25/2008—For the past four years, the MA Chapter of AI has been lobbying for a change in current legislation affecting licensure requirements for appraisers. As proposed, Senate bill 164 will change the 3-year licensure cycle in MA to 2 years to coincide with the USPAP cycle. In doing so, the cost to obtain the license will be pro-rated to reflect the shortened time frame. The Boston Chapter is in favor of this change.

There is a second aspect of this bill regulating the time frame a trainee appraiser can maintain their trainee status. As currently written; "A real estate appraisal trainee shall be eligible for renewal of a trainee license for only one 2-year period after the original term of the license." Meaning, trainee licensure can be maintained for a maximum of four years. The Boston Chapter is in favor of a time limit on the trainee license, but with a slight change.

There was strong opposition to the changes from other appraisal organizations and requests have been made to keep status quo allowing appraisers to maintain the trainee license indefinitely. If this sentence is removed, the fear is that the trainee's incentive to get the required experience necessary to prepare competent appraisals will be diminished. This is not in the public's best interest.

The Massachusetts Chapter of the Appraisal Institute believes that now, more than ever, the qualifications of appraisers must be increased to meet the challenges of current market and economic conditions. However, given the current slow market conditions for residential appraisal services it may be difficult to complete all requirements in the 4-year time frame. Therefore, we will lobby for a period of 3 cycles/6 years.

Zach Bowyer serves as 2009 Government Relations Chair for the MA Chapter of the Appraisal Institute, as well as Director of HealthTrust's Boston office. Bennett Johnson, also with HealthTrust's Boston office, serves as 2009 Government Relations Chair and Social Chair. They both suggest visiting ma-appraisalinstitute.org or appraisalinstitute.org for the latest on all local and national legilstation affecting appraisers.

"I am proud of what Zach and Bennett have accomplished with the local Chapter of the Appraisal Institute," as Partner at HealthTrust, David Rey Salinas, indicated about the two who are active leaders in both the Boston Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and the Emerging Leaders Group for young professionals. "Both have been instrumental in attracting younger members to the industry and regularly attend, and assist with planning meetings for real estate professionals in the Metro Boston market."