Review Designations:
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for the new review designations?

Review Designation Alternative Path for Designated members

General Review Designation Requirements Chart for Candidates

Residential Review Designation Requirements Chart for Candidates
Why were these new designations created?
The Appraisal Institute created professional appraisal review designations in response to the growing and
critically important role that appraisal review plays in risk management and mitigation for many
clients/users of appraisal services. The AI Board of Directors in May 2012 approved the program – which
will provide professional reviewers with the knowledge and necessary skills to meet the due diligence and
risk management needs of their employers and clients.
The Appraisal Institute acted in response to members who said the organization needed to address the
demand side for appraisers (i.e., these members urged the Appraisal Institute to help its professionals
more often obtain improved appraisal assignments). In many cases, a review appraiser bids out appraisal
assignments, thus creating an important networking opportunity for fellow Designated members. The
Appraisal Institute also is developing a new business model that embraces horizontal growth (i.e., the
program will help AI increase its membership with the addition of new appraisal-related professionals).
Designating review appraisers who pass rigorous requirements will provide reviewers with an enhanced
sense of professionalism and improve the quality of appraisal review reports that AI members prepare for
their clients.
What benefit would a review designation have for appraisers?
Research shows that individuals who hold professional designations have enhanced earnings potential
compared to non-designated individuals. This research is particularly true for individuals in the real estate
valuation profession who hold a designation from a recognized professional association such as the
Appraisal Institute.
Potential benefits of earning the AI-GRS or AI-RRS Designation include:

More knowledge and experience in areas of appraisal review, including administrative,
compliance or technical;

Improved career and business success;
Last updated: March 2, 2015

Enhanced professional stature;

More professional and public recognition; and

Competitive and professional advantage over non-designated appraisal reviewers.
Professionals who hold an AI AI-GRS or AI-RRS Designation will have access to an extensive body of
knowledge that will enable them to maintain a professional designation in appraisal review from a globally
recognized professional association.
Designated members of the Appraisal Institute have special opportunities to contribute to AI’s
professional body of knowledge through teaching opportunities and service on governance bodies, which
includes service on committees and special project teams.
Earning an Appraisal Institute review designation will represent a significant professional accomplishment
in the review appraisal community. These designations will inform potential employers that members who
hold these designations have demonstrated knowledge, experience and commitment to the profession,
which may provide them with a competitive and professional advantage over non-designated review
appraisers in both the acquisition of review appraisal assignments and/or the procurement of
employment.
Why are designations in appraisal review important?
The addition of the review designations will enhance the Appraisal Institute’s designations because of the
larger networking potential and overall professionalism that results from recognizing another area of
knowledge within the real property economics industry. The review designations will neither be promoted
as “junior designations” nor be positioned as superior to existing AI designations. They will recognize the
achievement of professional review appraisers who, after meeting all of the requirements, join the ranks
of the most recognized and experienced real estate appraisers in the world.
What will it cost to earn a review designation?
Non-Designated members who are Candidates for a Review Designation, will pay an annual Candidate
fee of $450 for 2015 to pursue a review designation.
Designated members will continue to pay their current Designated member dues until they hold one or
both of the Review Designations. For information on additional dues please visit our 2015 National Dues
and Fees Structure
Do I have to have another AI designation to get a review designation?
No. Please view the Review Designation Requirements Charts for Candidates.
Last updated: March 2, 2015