The American Society of Appraisers is an organization of appraisal professionals and others interested in the appraisal profession. International in structure, it is self-supporting and independent. The oldest and only major appraisal organization representing all of the disciplines of appraisal specialists, the society originated in 1936 and incorporated in 1952. ASA's headquarters is in the metropolitan Washington, D.C., area.

The society is dedicated to the benefit of the appraisal profession. It is one of eight major appraisal societies that, in 1987, founded The Appraisal Foundation, a national nonprofit organization created to establish uniform criteria for professional appraisers. Since 1989 The Appraisal Foundation has been recognized by the U.S. Congress as the source for the development and promulgation of appraisal standards and qualifications.

When you hire an ASA-accredited appraiser, you are assured the best valuation expertise on the market, because ASA-accredited appraisers bring knowledge of the market and profession, experience, and solid reputation to the job.

Knowledge and Experience
Each accredited member of the American Society of Appraisers has earned a professional designation in one or more specialized areas of appraisal. To receive the accreditation, the appraiser must pass intensive courses/written examinations, submit representative appraisal reports, an appraisal experience log and evidence of a college degree or its equivalent.

Every accredited appraiser must start his or her ASA membership as a Candidate member. In order to be accepted for Candidate membership, the prospective Candidate must be interviewed and approved by his or her local chapter. Subsequently, each Candidate must pass ASA's Ethics Examination and an examination on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) within a specified period of time. (The Uniform Standards are published each year by The Appraisal Foundation, authorized by Congress as the source of appraisal standards and appraiser qualifications.)

The Candidate's technical appraisal proficiency and understanding of the fundamentals of appraisal ethics, principles and concepts are evaluated by intensive written examinations. Copies of the Candidate's appraisal reports are reviewed and must meet professional criteria. When the Candidate has met all these requirements and has gained the necessary experience, he or she may apply for advancement to Accredited Member or Accredited Senior Appraiser status.

To qualify for the Accredited Member designation (AM), an individual must have at least two years of full-time equivalent appraisal experience and a college degree or its equivalent.

To qualify for the Accredited Senior Appraiser designation (ASA), an individual must have a minimum of 5 years of full-time equivalent appraisal experience and a college degree or its equivalent.

To attain the Master Gemologist Appraiser® designation, an individual must (1) hold the ASA designation; (2) be a Graduate Gemologist (GG) from the Gemological Institute of America or hold the designation Fellow, Gemmological Association of Great Britain (FGA); (3) own or be employed by an owner of an ASA-registered gemological laboratory; (4) pass the Farnsworth-Munsell 100-hue test for color discrimination; and (5) successfully complete the Master Gemologist Appraiser Program, in residence, which includes a hands-on test of the appraiser's ability to correctly identify and qualitatively rank gemstones and jewelry.

To achieve the Fellow designation (FASA), an Accredited Senior Appraiser must be recognized by ASA's International Board of Governors for outstanding services to the appraisal profession and/or the society.

ASA has a mandatory re accreditation process whereby designated members must regularly submit evidence of professional growth through participation in professional activities and continuing education. This ensures that ASA appraisers keep their knowledge up-to-date.

A Solid Reputation
Each individual seeking accreditation from the American Society of Appraisers must furnish professional and personal references and be subject to local credit and background investigations. In addition, local chapters conduct personal interviews and evaluate the practices of all applicants.

One of ASA's primary objectives is to ensure ethical practices and procedures on the part of its members. The society is diligent in its efforts to strengthen and uphold the Principles of Appraisal Practice and Code of Ethics (the code of conduct to which all members must subscribe) in order to protect the client.

ASA has developed a mechanism for the enforcement of the Code of Ethics whereby clients may file written complaints directly with the International Headquarters of the American Society of Appraisers if they feel that an appraisal rendered by an ASA member violates sound professional practice. ASA has permanent internal procedures for processing all documented grievances, assuring due process. Sanctions against members, if found to be in violation of the Code of Ethics, range from censure to expulsion with loss of professional designation.

The Valuation Expertise You Need
In short, ASA-accredited appraisers are experts. The meticulous ASA accreditation process ensures that ASA-accredited appraisers are accurate, impartial, and credible. They are educated and experienced in their fields and are respected members of their communities. They can deliver independent valuations that assure your property is appraised at its fair market value.

How to Find an Appraiser
To find an ASA-accredited appraiser near you, call ASA's toll-free appraiser referral line: (800) ASA-VALU, or search for an appraiser on-line.

ASA members include specialists in all types of tangible and intangible property.

Appraisal Review and Management
Business Valuation
Gems and Jewelry
Machinery and Technical Specialties
	Agricultural Chattels
	Aircraft
	Computers and High-Tech
	Cost Surveys
	Machinery and Equipment
	Marine Survey-Commercial
	Marine Survey-Yachts
	Mines and Quarries
	Oil and Gas
	Public Utilities
Personal Property
	African Sculpture
	Antiques and Collectible Glass
	Antique Firearms, Armor and Militaria
	Antique Furniture
	Antiques and Decorative Arts
	Asian Art
	Automotive Specialties
	Books
	Clocks
	Equines
	Fine Arts
	Fine Arts Photography
	Firearms
	Native American Art
	Numismatics
	Oriental Rugs
	Pre-Columbian Art
	Residential Contents - General
	Silver and Metalware
	Sports Collectibles and Memorabilia
	Textiles - General
	Textiles - Quilts
	Wines - Fine and Rare
Real Property
	Ad Valorem
	Residential
	Rural
	Timber and Timberland
	Urban