The Western Pennsylvania Chapter Welcomes You!

It is the vision of the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Appraisal Institute to be the leading organization of real estate appraisers known for its commitment to professionalism and its dedication to the success of its members, candidates for designation, affiliates and their firms. The Chapter will serve the community of real estate valuation professionals by providing and developing a relevant, robust, diverse and sustainable structure through educational offerings and programs to enhance the chapter experience.

The Western Pennsylvania Chapter Welcomes You!

It is the vision of the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Appraisal Institute to be the leading organization of real estate appraisers known for its commitment to professionalism and its dedication to the success of its members, candidates for designation, affiliates and their firms.  The Chapter will serve the community of real estate valuation professionals by providing and developing a relevant, robust, diverse and sustainable structure through educational offerings and programs to enhance the chapter experience.

Oct
15
Tue
2024-2025 7-Hour USPAP Update @ Southpointe Golf Club
Oct 15 @ 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
  • 7 CE Hours
  • Instructor: Mark V. Smeltzer, Sr., MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS
  • Who Should Enroll: General and residential real property appraisers who have successfully completed the 15-Hour National USPAP Course.
This required 7-hour continuing education course, copyrighted by The Appraisal Foundation, focuses on USPAP requirements for ethical behavior and competent performance by appraisers. The first part of the course addresses the changes to USPAP, which are effective January 1, 2024, and the second focuses on cases studies that challenge you how to apply USPAP to situations you encounter in your daily practice. The course will help you gain competency in USPAP, and it will help those subject to state licensing or certification and continuing education requirements imposed by professional organizations, client groups, or employers gain competency as well.


In the past, the Advisory Opinions and Frequently Asked Questions, which were required materials for the course, were bundled with the USPAP publication. Now they are contained in a separate publication, USPAP Guidance and Reference Manual. This manual provides examples showing the applicability of standards in specific situations and offers advice from the ASB for resolving appraisal issues and problems. It also contains the Reference Index which is a highly useful tool that helps appraisers quickly find answers to USPAP-related questions. This new Guidance and Reference Manual is included with your course handbook. Please note, however, that USPAP 2024, which includes Standards 1-10 and is required for the course, must be purchased separately.


Course Objectives

  1. Ensure that participants understand the principles and requirements of USPAP.
  2. Ensure participants understand USPAP in the context of current and common issues.
  3. Ensure participants know how to use the USPAP publication to solve day-to-day appraisal practice problems.

Program Overview:

Table of Contents and Overview
Course Schedule

Equipment:

A laptop computer or tablet device is required for participants who choose an electronic copy of USPAP.

Course Materials Include:

  • Course Handbook (74 pages)
  • Reference Manual (360 pages)
Unless otherwise noted, the course price does not include a copy of the current USPAP edition, which is required for course credit. When the chapter does not include, participants must bring their own copy of the USPAP edition to class. To purchase a print or electronic copy of the publication, please visit The Appraisal Foundation.
Dec
3
Tue
Business Practice & Ethics @ Virtual
Dec 3 @ 9:30 am – 4:00 pm

Check in: 9:00-9:30 am EST
Class begins: 9:30 am EST
Instructor:  Mark V. Smeltzer, Sr., MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS
Class time: 6 Hours

This important course provides information about standards and ethics requirements for valuers in general and, more specifically, for valuers who belong to the Appraisal Institute. Through discussion questions and examples, you’ll identify behavior and actions that illustrate violations of the Code of Professional Ethics, and you’ll learn how referrals can be made. You’ll get an introduction to the Appraisal Institute Guide Notes to the Standards of Professional Practice and see how the Guide Notes can be used to resolve everyday appraisal practice problems. Finally, you’ll learn about common errors in appraisal reports and review reports, and they respond to questions about challenges that arise in appraisal practice such as requests for updates and requests to change or add intended users.

The content emphasizes:

  • Business practices issues, such as how to respond to seemingly unreasonable requests, how to address client pressure, and how to approach a complex assignment
  • Which standards apply to Appraisal Institute Designated Members, Candidates for Designation, Practicing Affiliates, and Affiliates, and when they apply
  • The key principles of the Standards of Valuation Practice
  • How to identify and avoid behavior that violates the Standards of Valuation Practice
  • The correct way to use the Appraisal Institute designations, emblems, and logo
  • Understanding of the Appraisal Institute enforcement process

Course Objectives

  • Identify the purpose of the Code of Professional Ethics and Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Institute and recognize how those documents apply to Appraisal Institute Affiliates, Practicing Affiliates, Candidates for Designation, and Designated members.
  • Recognize how to apply better appraisal business practices, especially regarding client relationships.
  • Identify the major steps in the enforcement of the Appraisal Institute peer review system.
  • Recognize the guidance offered by the Guide Notes to the Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Institute.
  • Identify opportunities for improving professionalism.
  • Recognize common ethical dilemmas and identify strategies for resolving them.

Course Materials Include:

  • Course Handbook (229 pp.)
  • AI Professional Practices Booklet Supplement (162 pp.)
  • AI Designations Manual (12 pp.)

Note. The AQB approved this course for 6 hours of CE. Check with your state for approved credit hours.

Course Materials and Recommended Books:

AI National Synchronous Participation Requirements:

You must have a computer, webcam, and microphone capability to participate and receive continuing or qualifying education credit where approved. It is your responsibility to have the required equipment to participate and receive credit. Visit the System Requirements for Attendees and Share Webcam pages for help.

The instructor must be able to interact with all students. Instructors and administrators will direct questions to each student in the morning and afternoon to which students must respond. Students must be in a location that allows for their full attention and interaction at all times.

Attendance will be monitored throughout the day through webcams and polling. You must turn on your webcam during roll call at the beginning of class so that the instructor can verify your photo identification.

Thank you to Western PA Chapter

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