The 87-Hour Education Requirement
To become a licensed Real Estate Appraiser Trainee in Texas, you must complete 87 hours of qualifying education from TALCB-approved providers. This is your first mandatory step before you can submit your license application.
📋 The Complete 87-Hour Curriculum Breakdown
All applicants must complete the following five courses from TALCB-approved education providers. These courses cannot be substituted or waived.
| Course Name | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Appraisal Principles | 30 | AQB standard course |
| Basic Appraisal Procedures | 30 | AQB standard course |
| 15-Hour National USPAP Course | 15 | Uniform Standards |
| Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws NEW 2026 | 8 | Required as of Jan 1, 2026 |
| Appraiser Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser Course | 4 | TALCB-approved |
| TOTAL HOURS REQUIRED | 87 | Effective Jan 1, 2026 |
🎓 What Each Course Actually Covers
1️⃣ Basic Appraisal Principles 30 Hours
Focus: Foundational theory and mathematical concepts behind property valuation.
Topics Include:
- Real property characteristics and legal rights
- Economic principles affecting value (supply/demand, highest and best use)
- The three approaches to value: Sales Comparison, Cost, and Income
- Market analysis and neighborhood trends
- Mathematics of appraisal (adjustments, depreciation calculations)
Translation: This is the “why” behind appraisals — understanding what drives property value.
2️⃣ Basic Appraisal Procedures 30 Hours
Focus: Hands-on methodology for conducting residential appraisals.
Topics Include:
- Property inspection techniques (measuring, photographing, noting condition)
- Data collection and verification (MLS, public records, market research)
- Applying the Sales Comparison Approach (selecting comps, making adjustments)
- Applying the Cost Approach (estimating reproduction cost, depreciation)
- Writing the appraisal report (URAR form, narrative sections)
Translation: This is the “how” — the step-by-step process of creating an appraisal report.
3️⃣ 15-Hour National USPAP Course 15 Hours
Focus: Ethics, standards, and federal compliance rules.
Topics Include:
- USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) — the “law” of appraisals
- Ethical obligations and independence requirements
- Standards Rules for real property appraisal development and reporting
- Competency, scope of work, and assignment conditions
- How to avoid bias and conflicts of interest
Translation: This is the “rulebook” — what you can and cannot do as an appraiser.
4️⃣ Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws 8 Hours
Focus: Fair housing compliance and eliminating bias in valuation.
Topics Include:
- Fair Housing Act requirements for appraisers
- Recognizing and eliminating racial, cultural, and demographic bias
- Case studies of discriminatory appraisal practices
- Best practices for objective, unbiased valuation
Translation: The industry’s response to historic discrimination in home valuations.
5️⃣ Trainee/Supervisory Appraiser Course 4 Hours
Focus: Understanding the trainee-supervisor relationship.
Topics Include:
- TALCB rules for trainees and supervisors
- What a supervisor can/cannot delegate to a trainee
- Experience log requirements (documenting your 2,000 hours)
- How to find and work with a supervisory appraiser
Translation: The “employment handbook” for your trainee period.
🆕 The 2026 Valuation Bias Update: What Changed
Effective January 1, 2026, Texas TALCB added a mandatory 8-hour “Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws” course to the Appraiser Trainee requirements. This increases the total required education from 79 hours to 87 hours.
Why it matters:
- Addressing federal concerns about racial and demographic bias in home appraisals
- Aligning Texas with national Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) standards
- All new applicants after Jan 1, 2026 must complete this course — no exceptions
Action Item: When choosing your education provider, verify that their curriculum includes the updated 8-hour Valuation Bias course.
💡 How to Choose an Education Provider
TALCB does not endorse specific providers, but they maintain a list of approved education vendors. Popular options include:
- Champions School of Real Estate — Texas-based, well-known for TREC/TALCB courses (~$850)
- McKissock Learning — National provider with self-paced online courses (~$889)
- VanEd Real Estate — Affordable online option (~$699)
- Appraisal Institute — Premium courses with in-person options (~$1,190)
Timeline Tip: Most students complete all 87 hours in 3-6 months (self-paced online courses are faster).
🔍 Verify Approved Education Providers
Before enrolling in any course, verify that the provider is TALCB-approved. The official list is updated regularly on the TALCB website.
📚 Find Approved 87-Hour Providers at TALCB.texas.gov⬅️ Back to Complete Trainee Guide