DRAFT BILL TO ESTABLISH A TRAINEE REAL ESTATE APPRAISER CLASSIFICATION

    AN ACT Relating to real estate appraisers; amending RCW  18.140.005, RCW 18.140.010, 18.140.020, 18.140.030, 18.140.060, 18.140.070, 18.140.110, 18.140.130, 18.140.140, 18.140.150, 18.140.160, 18.140.170 and 18.140.220; adding new sections to chapter 18.140 RCW; and providing an effective date.

  BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

     Sec. 1.        RCW 18.140. 005, 1996 c 182 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1)  It is the intent of the legislature that only individuals who meet and maintain minimum standards of competence and conduct established under this chapter for certified, or licensed or registered real estate appraisers may provide real estate appraisal services to the public.

     (2) It is the further intent of the legislature to provide for the proper supervision and training of new entrants to the appraiser profession through the implementation of the state-registered appraiser trainee classification pursuant to this act.

     Sec. 2.       RCW 18.140.0 10 and 2000 c 249 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

          As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

     (1) "Appraisal" means the act or process of estimating value; an estimate of value; or of or pertaining to appraising and related functions.

     (2) "Appraisal report" means any communication, written or oral, of an appraisal, review, or consulting service in accordance with the standards of professional conduct or practice, adopted by the director, that is transmitted to the client upon completion of an assignment.

     (3) "Appraisal assignment" means an engagement for which an appraiser is employed or retained to act, or would be perceived by third parties or the public as acting, as a disinterested third party in rendering an unbiased analysis, opinion, or conclusion relating to the value of specified interests in, or aspects of, identified real estate. The term "appraisal assignment" may apply to valuation work and analysis work.

     (4) "Brokers price opinion" means an oral or written report of property value that is prepared by a real estate broker or salesperson licensed under chapter 18.85 RCW.

     (5) "Certified appraisal" means an appraisal prepared or signed by a state-certified real estate appraiser. A certified appraisal represents to the public that it meets the appraisal standards defined in this chapter.

     (6) "Client" means any party for whom an appraiser performs a service.

     (7) "Commission" means the real estate appraiser commission of the state of Washington.

     (8) "Comparative market analysis" means a brokers price opinion.

     (9) "Department" means the department of licensing.

     (10) "Director" means the director of the department of licensing.

     (11) "Expert review appraiser" means a state-certified or state-licensed real estate appraiser chosen by the director for the purpose of providing appraisal review assistance to the director.

     (12) "Federal department" means an executive department of the United States of America specifically concerned with housing finance issues, such as the department of housing and urban development, the department of veterans affairs, or their legal federal successors.

     (13) "Federal financial institutions regulatory agency" means the board of governors of the federal reserve system, the federal deposit insurance corporation, the office of the comptroller of the currency, the office of thrift supervision, the national credit union administration, their successors and/or such other agencies as may be named in future amendments to 12 U.S.C. Sec. 3350(6).

     (14) "Federal secondary mortgage marketing agency" means the federal national mortgage association, the government national mortgage association, the federal home loan mortgage corporation, their successors and/or such other similarly functioning housing finance agencies as may be federally chartered in the future.

     (15) "Federally related transaction" means any real estate-related financial transaction that the federal financial institutions regulatory agency or the resolution trust corporation engages in, contracts for, or regulates; and that requires the services of an appraiser.

     (16) "Financial institution" means any person doing business under the laws of this state or the United States relating to banks, bank holding companies, savings banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, credit unions, consumer loan companies, and the affiliates, subsidiaries, and service corporations thereof.

     (17) "Licensed appraisal" means an appraisal prepared or signed by a state-licensed real estate appraiser. A licensed appraisal represents to the public that it meets the appraisal standards defined in this chapter.

     (18) "Mortgage broker" for the purpose of this chapter means a mortgage broker licensed under chapter 19.146 RCW, any mortgage broker approved and subject to audit by the federal national mortgage association, the government national mortgage association, or the federal home loan mortgage corporation as provided in RCW 19.146.020, any mortgage broker approved by the United States secretary of housing and urban development for participation in any mortgage insurance under the national housing act, 12 U.S.C. Sec. 1201, and the affiliates, subsidiaries, and service corporations thereof.

     (19) "Real estate" means an identified parcel or tract of land, including improvements, if any.

     (20) "Real estate-related financial transaction" means any transaction involving:

     (a) The sale, lease, purchase, investment in, or exchange of real property, including interests in property, or the financing thereof;

     (b) The refinancing of real property or interests in real property; and

     (c) The use of real property or interests in property as security for a loan or investment, including mortgage-backed securities.

     (21) "Real property" means one or more defined interests, benefits, or rights inherent in the ownership of real estate.

     (22) "Review" means the act or process of critically studying an appraisal report prepared by another.

     (23) "Specialized appraisal services" means all appraisal services which do not fall within the definition of appraisal assignment. The term "specialized appraisal service" may apply to valuation work and to analysis work. Regardless of the intention of the client or employer, if the appraiser would be perceived by third parties or the public as acting as a disinterested third party in rendering an unbiased analysis, opinion, or conclusion, the work is classified as an appraisal assignment and not a specialized appraisal service.

     (24) "State-certified general real estate appraiser" means a person certified by the director to develop and communicate real estate appraisals of all types of property. A state-certified general real estate appraiser may designate or identify an appraisal rendered by him or her as a "certified appraisal."

     (25) "State-certified residential real estate appraiser" means a person certified by the director to develop and communicate real estate appraisals of all types of residential property of one to four units without regard to transaction value or complexity and nonresidential property having a transaction value as specified in rules adopted by the director. A state certified residential real estate appraiser may designate or identify an appraisal rendered by him or her as a "certified appraisal."

     (26) "State-licensed real estate appraiser" means a person licensed by the director to develop and communicate real estate appraisals of noncomplex one to four residential units and complex one to four residential units and nonresidential property having transaction values as specified in rules adopted by the director.

(27)_“State-registered appraiser trainee”, “trainee”, or “trainee real estate appraiser” means a person registered by the director to develop and communicate real estate appraisals under the immediate and personal direction of a state-certified real estate appraiser.  Appraisals are limited to those types of properties that the supervisory appraiser is permitted by their current credential, and that the supervisory appraiser is competent and qualified to appraise.

(28)    “Supervisory appraiser” means a person holding a currently

valid certificate issued by the director as a state-certified real estate appraiser providing direct supervision to another state-certified, state-licensed, or state-registered appraiser trainee.  The supervisory appraiser must be in good standing in each jurisdiction that he or she is credentialed.  The supervisory appraiser must sign all appraisal reports. By signing the appraisal report, the supervisory appraiser accepts shared responsibility for all content, analyses and conclusions in the report.

     Sec 2.            RCW 18.140.020 and 1998 c 120 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) No person other than a state-certified or state-licensed real estate appraiser may receive compensation of any form for a real estate appraisal or an appraisal review, except that a state-registered appraiser trainee may receive compensation from one or more supervisory appraisers or the supervisory appraiser’s employer for appraisal assignments.

(2)  However, cCompensation may be provided for brokers price opinions prepared by a real estate licensee, licensed under chapter 18.85 RCW.

     (2) (3)  No person, other than a state-certified, or state-licensed real estate appraiser, or a state-registered appraiser trainee may assume or use that title or any title, designation, or abbreviation likely to create the impression of certification, or licensure or registration as a real estate appraiser by this state.

     (3) (4)  A person who is not certified, or licensed or registered under this chapter shall not prepare any appraisal of real estate located in this state, except as provided under subsection (12) of this section.

     (4) (5)  This section does not preclude a staff employee of a governmental entity from performing an appraisal or an appraisal assignment within the scope of his or her employment insofar as the performance of official duties for the governmental entity are concerned. Such an activity for the benefit of the governmental entity is exempt from the requirements of this chapter.

     (5) (6)  This chapter does not preclude an individual person licensed by the state of Washington as a real estate broker or as a real estate salesperson from issuing a brokers price opinion. However, if the brokers price opinion is written, or given as evidence in any legal proceeding, and is issued to a person who is not a prospective seller, buyer, lessor, or lessee as the only intended user, then the brokers price opinion shall contain a statement, in an obvious location within the written document or specifically and affirmatively in spoken testimony, that substantially states: "This brokers price opinion is not an appraisal as defined in chapter 18.140 RCW and has been prepared by a real estate licensee, licensed under chapter 18.85 RCW, who . . . . . (is/is not) also state-certified or state-licensed as a real estate appraiser under chapter 18.140 RCW." However, the brokers price opinion issued under this subsection may not be used as an appraisal in conjunction with a federally related transaction.

     (6) (7)  This section does not apply to an appraisal or an appraisal review performed for a financial institution or mortgage broker by an employee or third party, when such appraisal or appraisal review is not required to be performed by a state-certified or state-licensed real estate appraiser by the appropriate federal financial institutions regulatory agency.

     (7) (8)  This section does not apply to an attorney licensed to practice law in this state or to a certified public accountant, as defined in RCW 18.04.025, who evaluates real property in the normal scope of his or her professional services.

     Sec. 3.           RCW 18.140.030 and 2002 c 86 s 238 are each amended to read as follows:

     The director shall have the following powers and duties:

     (1) To adopt rules in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW necessary to implement this chapter and chapter 18.--- RCW (sections 101 through 124 of this act), with the advice and approval of the commission;

     (2) To receive and approve or deny applications for certification or licensure as a state-certified or state-licensed real estate appraiser and for registration as a state-registered appraiser trainee under this chapter; to establish appropriate administrative procedures for the processing of such applications; to issue certificates, or licenses or registrations to qualified applicants pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; and to maintain a register roster of the names and addresses of individuals who are currently certified, or licensed or registered under this chapter;

     (3) To provide administrative assistance to the members of and to keep records for the real estate appraiser commission;

     (4) To solicit bids and enter into contracts with educational testing services or organizations for the preparation of questions and answers for certification or licensure examinations;

     (5) To administer or contract for administration of certification or licensure examinations at locations and times as may be required to carry out the responsibilities under this chapter;

     (6) To enter into contracts for professional services determined to be necessary for adequate enforcement of this chapter;

     (7) To consider recommendations by the real estate appraiser commission relating to the experience, education, and examination requirements for each classification of state-certified appraiser and for licensure;

(8)  To consider recommendations by the real estate appraiser commission relating to the education requirements for the state-registered appraiser trainee classification.

     (9)  To consider recommendations by the real estate appraiser commission relating to circumstances and to the maximum number of state-registered appraiser trainees which each supervisory appraiser will be permitted to supervise;

     (8) (10) To consider recommendations by the real estate appraiser commission relating to continuing education requirements as a prerequisite to renewal of certification or licensure;

     (9) (11) To consider recommendations by the real estate appraiser commission relating to standards of professional appraisal conduct or practice in the enforcement of this chapter;

     (10) (12) To employ such professional, clerical, and technical assistance as may be necessary to properly administer the work of the director;

     (11) (13) To establish forms necessary to administer this chapter;

     (12) (14) To establish an expert review appraiser roster comprised of state-certified or licensed real estate appraisers whose purpose is to assist the director by applying their individual expertise by reviewing real estate appraisals for compliance with this chapter. Qualifications to act as an expert review appraiser shall be established by the director with the advice of the commission. An application to serve as an expert review appraiser shall be submitted to the real estate appraiser program, and the roster of accepted expert review appraisers shall be maintained by the department. An expert review appraiser may be added to or deleted from that roster by the director. The expert review appraiser shall be reimbursed for expenses in the same manner as the department reimburses the commission; and

     (13) (15) To do all other things necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter and minimally meet the requirements of federal guidelines regarding state certification or licensure of appraisers that the director determines are appropriate for state-certified and state-licensed appraisers in this state.

     Sec. 4.       RCW 18.140.060 and 1993 c 30 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Applications for examinations, original certification, or licensure or registration, and renewal certification, or licensure or registration shall be made in writing to the department on forms approved by the director. Applications for original and renewal certification, or licensure or registration shall include a statement confirming that the applicant shall comply with applicable rules and regulations and that the applicant understands the penalties for misconduct.

     (2) The appropriate fees shall accompany all applications for examination, reexamination, original certification, or licensure or registration, and renewal certification, or licensure or registration.

      Sec. 5.       RCW 18.140.070 and 1993 c 30 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

     There shall be two categories of state-certified real estate appraisers, one category of state-licensed real estate appraisers and two categories of state-certified real estate appraisers one category of state-registered appraiser trainee as follows:

     (1) The state-certified generallicensed real estate appraiser;

     (2) The state-certified residential real estate appraiser;

     (3) The state-licensedcertified general- real estate appraiser; and

(4)  The state-registered appraiser trainee.

     Sec. 6.       RCW 18.140.110 and 1993 c 30 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

Every applicant for certification, licensing or  certification registration who is not a resident of this state shall submit, with the application for certification, licensing or  certification registration, an irrevocable consent that service of process upon him or her may be made by service on the director if, in an action against the applicant in a court of this state arising out of the applicant's activities as a state-certified or state-licensed real estate appraiser or state-certified state-registered real estate appraiser trainee, the plaintiff cannot, in the exercise of due diligence, obtain personal service upon the applicant.

      Sec. 7.       RCW 18.140.130 and 1996 c 182 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each original and renewal certificate, license or certificate registration issued under this chapter shall expire on the applicant's second birthday following issuance of the certificate, license or certificateregistration.

     (2) To be renewed as a state-licensedcertified or state-certifiedlicensed real estate appraiser or state-registered appraiser trainee, the holder of a valid licensecertificate, or certificatelicense or registration shall apply and pay the prescribed fee to the director no earlier than one hundred twenty days prior to the expiration date of the licensecertificate, or certificate license or registration and shall demonstrate satisfaction of any continuing education requirements.

     (3) If a person fails to renew a licensecertificate, or certificate license or registration prior to its expiration and no more than one year has passed since the person last held a valid licensecertificate, or certificatelicense or registration, the person may obtain a renewal licensecertificate, or certificate license or registration by satisfying all of the requirements for renewal and paying late renewal fees.

     The director shall cancel the licensecertificate, or certificate license or registration of any person whose renewal fee is not received within one year from the date of expiration. A person may obtain a new licensecertificate, or certificate license or registration by satisfying the procedures and qualifications for initial licensurecertification, or certificationlicensure or registration, including the successful completion of any applicable examinations.

      Sec. 8.       RCW 18.140.140 and 1996 c 182 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) A license, or certificate or registration issued under this chapter shall bear the signature or facsimile signature of the director and a license, or certificate or registration number assigned by the director.

     (2) Each state-licensed, or state-certified real estate appraiser or state-registered appraiser trainee shall place his or her license, or certificate or registration number adjacent to or immediately below the title "state-certified generallicensed real estate appraiser," "state-certified residential real estate appraiser," or "state-licensed certified general real estate appraiser" or “state-registered appraiser trainee” when used in an appraisal report or in a contract or other instrument used by the licensee or certificate holder, licensee or registered appraiser trainee in conducting real property appraisal activities, except that the license or certificate, license or registration number shall not be required to appear when the title is not accompanied by a signature as is typical on such promotional and stationery items as brochures, business cards, forms, or letterhead.

     (3)  Each state-registered appraiser trainee shall place his or her registration number adjacent to or immediately below the title “state-registered appraiser trainee” when used in an appraisal report and the supervisory appraiser shall place his or her certificate number adjacent to or immediately below the title “state-certified general real estate appraiser” or “state-certified residential real estate appraiser”.

      Sec. 9.       RCW 18.140.150 and 1996 c 182 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) The term "state-certifiedlicensed", or "state-licensedcertified real estate appraiser" or “state-registered appraiser trainee may only be used to refer to individuals who hold the license or certificate, license or registration and may not be used following or immediately in connection with the name or signature of a firm, partnership, corporation, group, or limited liability company, or in such manner that it might be interpreted as referring to a firm, partnership, corporation, group, limited liability company, or anyone other than an individual holder of the license or certificate, license or registration.

     (2) No license or certificate, license or registration may be issued under this chapter to a corporation, partnership, firm, limited liability company, or group. This shall not be construed to prevent a state-certifiedlicensed or state-licensedcertified appraiser from signing an appraisal report on behalf of a corporation, partnership, firm, group practice, or limited liability company, nor shall it be construed to prevent a state-registered appraiser trainee from signing an appraisal report under the supervision of a state-certified real estate appraiser on behalf of a corporation, partnership, firm, group practice, or limited liability company.

     Sec. 10.      RCW 18.140.160 and 2002 c 86 s 239 are each amended to read as follows:

            In addition to the unprofessional conduct described in ((section 114 of this act)) ((18.---.--- RCW  (section 114 of C 86 of L 02) CODE REVISOR TO EDIT APPROPRIATELY)), the director may take disciplinary action for the following conduct, acts, or conditions:

(1) Failing to meet the minimum qualifications for state certification, licensure or registration certification established by or pursuant to this chapter;

     (2) Paying money other than the fees provided for by this chapter to any employee of the director or the commission to procure state certification, licensure or registration under this chapter;

     (3) Continuing to act as a state certified real estate appraiser, state-licensed or state-certified real estate appraiser or state-registered appraiser trainee when his or her certificate, license or registration certificate is on an expired status;

     (4) Violating any provision of this chapter or any lawful rule made by the director pursuant thereto;

     (5) Issuing an appraisal report on any real property in which the appraiser has an interest unless his or her interest is clearly stated in the appraisal report; and

(6)  Being affiliated as an employer, independent contractor or supervisory appraiser of a state-certified real estate appraiser, state-licensed real estate appraiser or state-registered appraiser trainee whose certification, license or registration has been suspended or revoked.

      Sec. 11.      RCW 18.140.170 and 2002 c 86 s 240 are each amended to read as follows:

          The director may investigate the actions of a state-certified, state-licensed or state-certified real estate appraiser, state-registered appraiser trainee or an applicant for certification, licensure or registration or recertification, relicensure or  reregistrationrecertification(if reregistration shall be authorized under this chapter). Upon receipt of information indicating that a state-certified real estate appraiser, state-licensed real estate appraiser or state-certified real estate appraiser state-registered appraiser trainee under this chapter may have violated this chapter, the director may cause one or more of the staff investigators to make an investigation of the facts to determine whether or not there is admissible evidence of any such violation. If technical assistance is required, a staff investigator may consult with one or more of the members of the *committee commission.

      Sec. 12.      RCW 18.140.220 and 1996 c 182 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

     Any person acting as a state-certified, or state-licensed real estate appraiser or state-registered appraiser trainee without a certificate, or license or registration that is currently valid is guilty of a misdemeanor.

      NEW SECTION.  Sec. 13.    A new section is added to chapter 18.140 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) A trainee real estate appraiser may not provide appraisal services other than through and under the direct supervision of a state-certified general real estate appraiser or a state-certified residential real estate appraiser.

     (2) A person may be issued only one registration to be valid for a term not exceeding five years as a trainee real estate appraiser during a period of not less than ten years from the date of issuance unless either such period is interrupted by service in the armed forces of the United States of America.

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14.    A new section is added to chapter 18.140 RCW to read as follows:

       An applicant for state-registered appraiser trainee shall present evidence satisfactory to the director that he or she has successfully completed the education requirements adopted by the director.

     NEW SECTION   Sec. 15.  A new section is added to chapter 18.140 RCW to real as follows:

         This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect ---.

         CODE REVISOR TO ADJUST ALL OTHER APPRAISER CATEGORY REFERENCES IN THIS CHAPTER TO BE SEQUENCED AS CERTIFIED, LICENSED AND REGISTERED ACCORDING TO THE PATTERNS SET FORTH IN THIS DRAFT.

                NO FURTHER CHANGE SEEMS APPROPRIATE.

                            --- END ---

   BOLD ITALIC INDICATES ACOW's CHANGES PROPOSED AT AND AFTER THE REAL ESTATE APPRAISERCOMMISSION MEETING OF MAY 17, 2002, SUGGESTING SUBSTITUTIONS AS FOLLOWS {with proposed deletions within braces { . . . . } with "strikeout" shown as {{text deleted}}:

   EDITS IN “RED” BY RALPH BIRKEDAHL OF DOL APPRAISAL UNIT ON OR ABOUT AUGUST 08, 2002.

   HISTORY:  This proposed legislation is derived from the "1995 REAL ESTATE APPRAISERS PROPOSED OMNIBUS LEGISLATION drafted by the Appraisers' Governmental Affairs Committee prior to the incorporation of ACOW.  That Omnibus Draft refined 1994 SSB 6576 (JHI file #aa95txt3.acw).  One such refinement was changing the usage derivations of the term "permit" concerning trainee appraisers to derivations of "registration" as requested by the Department of Licensing's Appraisal Unit.  Both documents have been typed by James H. Irish, a Washington Certified General Real Estate Appraiser as Co-Chair of the AGAC and President of ACOW.  Jim Irish may be reached at 206-789-7472, or by e-mail at bf777@msn.com and/or bf777@scn.org. 

   18.140 RCW was enacted originally as 1989 c 414; and has been amended by 1993 c 030; 1996 c 182; 1996 c 293; 1997 c 058; 1997 c 399; 1998 c 120; 2000 c 035; 2000 c 249; 2001 c 078; and 2002 c 086.

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  All references to the appraiser categories throughout the act are to be restated in the consistent order of CERTIFIED, LICENSED, REGISTERED with all appropriate revisions by tense, etc., to be similarly ordered.

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