12 U.S. Code § 3351 - Miscellaneous provisions

(a) Temporary practice

(1) In general

A State appraiser certifying or licensing agency shall recognize on a temporary basis the certification or license of an appraiser issued by another State if—

(A) the property to be appraised is part of a federally related transaction,

(B) the appraiser’s business is of a temporary nature, and

(C) the appraiser registers with the appraiser certifying or licensing agency in the State of temporary practice.

(2) Fees for temporary practice

A State appraiser certifying or licensing agency shall not impose excessive fees or burdensome requirements, as determined by the Appraisal Subcommittee, for temporary practice under this subsection.

(b) Reciprocity

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, a federally related transaction shall not be appraised by a certified or licensed appraiser unless the State appraiser certifying or licensing agency of the State certifying or licensing such appraiser has in place a policy of issuing a reciprocal certification or license for an individual from another State when—

(1) the appraiser licensing and certification program of such other State is in compliance with the provisions of this chapter; and

(2) the appraiser holds a valid certification from a State whose requirements for certification or licensing meet or exceed the licensure standards established by the State where an individual seeks appraisal licensure.

(c) Supplemental funding

Funds available to the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies may be made available to the Financial Institutions Examination Council to support the Council’s functions under this chapter.

(d) Prohibition against discrimination

Criteria established by the Federal financial institutions regulatory agencies, the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and the Resolution Trust Corporation for appraiser qualifications in addition to State certification or licensing may include education achieved, experience, sample appraisals, and references from prior clients. Membership in a nationally recognized professional appraisal organization may be a criteria considered, though lack of membership therein shall not be the sole bar against consideration for an assignment under these criteria.

(e) Other requirements

A corporation, partnership, or other business entity may provide appraisal services in connection with federally related transactions if such appraisal is prepared by individuals certified or licensed in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. An individual who is not a State certified or licensed appraiser may assist in the preparation of an appraisal if—

(1) the assistant is under the direct supervision of a licensed or certified individual; and

(2) the final appraisal document is approved and signed by an individual who is certified or licensed.

(f) Studies

(1) Study

The Appraisal Subcommittee shall—

(A) conduct a study to determine whether real estate sales and financing information and data that is available to real estate appraisers in the States is sufficient to permit appraisers to properly estimate the values of properties in connection with federally related transactions; and

(B) study the feasibility and desirability of extending the provisions of this chapter to the function of personal property appraising and to personal property appraisers in connection with Federal financial and public policy interests.

(2) Report

The Appraisal Subcommittee shall—

(A) report its findings to the Congress with respect to the study described in paragraph (1)(A) no later than 12 months after August 9, 1989, and

(B) report its findings with respect to the study described in paragraph (1)(B) to Congress not later than 18 months after August 9, 1989.

(g) Appraiser independence monitoring

The Appraisal Subcommittee shall monitor each State appraiser certifying and licensing agency for the purpose of determining whether such agency’s policies, practices, and procedures are consistent with the purposes of maintaining appraiser independence and whether such State has adopted and maintains effective laws, regulations, and policies aimed at maintaining appraiser independence.

(h) Approved education

The Appraisal Subcommittee shall encourage the States to accept courses approved by the Appraiser Qualification Board’s Course Approval Program.

(i) Appraisal complaint national hotline

If, 6 months after July 21, 2010, the Appraisal Subcommittee determines that no national hotline exists to receive complaints of non-compliance with appraisal independence standards and Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, including complaints from appraisers, individuals, or other entities concerning the improper influencing or attempted improper influencing of appraisers or the appraisal process, the Appraisal Subcommittee shall establish and operate such a national hotline, which shall include a toll-free telephone number and an email address. If the Appraisal Subcommittee operates such a national hotline, the Appraisal Subcommittee shall refer complaints for further action to appropriate governmental bodies, including a State appraiser certifying and licensing agency, a financial institution regulator, or other appropriate legal authorities. For complaints referred to State appraiser certifying and licensing agencies or to Federal regulators, the Appraisal Subcommittee shall have the authority to follow up such complaint referrals in order to determine the status of the resolution of the complaint.

(Pub. L. 101–73, title XI, § 1122, Aug. 9, 1989, 103 Stat. 518; Pub. L. 103–325, title III, § 315, Sept. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 2222; Pub. L. 111–203, title XIV, § 1473(l)–(p), (t)(4), July 21, 2010, 124 Stat. 2196, 2197, 2199.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2010—Subsec. (a)(1)(A) to (C). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1473(t)(4)(A), realigned margins.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1473(l), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “The Appraisal Subcommittee shall encourage the States to develop reciprocity agreements that readily authorize appraisers who are licensed or certified in one State (and who are in good standing with their State appraiser certifying or licensing agency) to perform appraisals in other States.”

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1473(t)(4)(B), substituted “Financial Institutions Examination Council” for “Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council” and “the Council’s functions” for “the council’s functions”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1473(m), substituted “may include education achieved, experience, sample appraisals, and references from prior clients. Membership in a nationally recognized professional appraisal organization may be a criteria considered, though lack of membership therein shall not be the sole bar against consideration for an assignment under these criteria.” for “shall not exclude a certified or licensed appraiser for consideration for an assignment solely by virtue of membership or lack of membership in any particular appraisal organization.”

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1473(n), added subsec. (g).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1473(o), added subsec. (h).

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 111–203, § 1473(p), added subsec. (i).

1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–325, § 315(3), redesignated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, redesignated former pars. (1) to (3) as subpars. (A) to (C) of par. (1), and added par. (2).

Subsecs. (b) to (f). Pub. L. 103–325, § 315(1), (2), added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsecs. (b) to (e) as (c) to (f), respectively.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2010 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 111–203 effective on the date on which final regulations implementing that amendment take effect, or on the date that is 18 months after the designated transfer date if such regulations have not been issued by that date, see section 1400(c) of Pub. L. 111–203, set out as a note under section 1601 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.