To work as an appraiser or assessor, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree; and
• complete long-term on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Many appraisers and assessors have a bachelor's degree. Common majors are economics,finance, mathematics, computer science, English, and business or real estate law. Real estate appraisers must take formal course work in real estate.

Excellent knowledge of the items you want to appraise is the best preparation. If you are unsure of your exact career goal, a liberal arts education is good preparation. However, if you know your goal, you should select a major related to your interest area. For instance, if your goal is art appraisal, consider at least a bachelor's degree in art history. Regardless of which major you chose, courses in finance and business administration are valuable.

Work experience

Some real estate appraisers and assessors begin as real estate agents and transfer to this occupation.

For art or antique appraisal, work in an auction house during college is good experience.

On-the-job training

Appraisers and assessors typically train with established professionals to practice and gain new skills. Training takes a minimum of one year.