(b) No person other than a person licensed or certified under this article may use the title of licensed appraiser or certified appraiser or any title, designation or abbreviation likely to create the impression that the person is licensed or certified by the state.
(c) This article does not apply to:
(1) A real estate broker or salesperson licensed by this state who, in the ordinary course of his or her business, gives an opinion to a potential seller or third party as to the recommended listing price of real estate or an opinion to a potential purchaser or third party as to the recommended purchase price of real estate, when this opinion as to the listing price or the purchase price is not to be referred to as an appraisal, no opinion is rendered as to the value of the real estate and no fee is charged;
(2) A casual or drive-by inspection of real estate in connection with a consumer loan secured by the real estate, when the inspection is not referred to as an appraisal, no opinion is rendered as to the value of the real estate and no fee is charged for the inspection;
(3) An employee who renders an opinion as to the value of real estate for his or her full-time employer, for the employer's internal use only and performed in the regular course of the employee's position, when the opinion is not referred to as an appraisal and no fee is charged;
(4) Appraisals of personal property, including, but not limited to, jewelry, household furnishings, vehicles and manufactured homes not attached to real estate;
(5) Any officer or employee of the United States, or of the state of West Virginia or a political subdivision thereof, when the employee or officer is performing his or her official duties: Provided, That such individual does not furnish advisory service for compensation to the public or act as an independent contracting party in West Virginia or any subdivision thereof in connection with the appraisal of real estate or real property: Provided, however, That this exception shall not apply with respect to federally related transactions as defined in Title XI of the United States Code, entitled "Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989"; or
(6) Any evaluation of the value of real estate serving as collateral for a loan made by a financial institution insured by the federal deposit insurance corporation: Provided, That: (A) The amount of the loan is equal to or less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars; (B) the evaluation is used solely by the lender in its records to document the collateral value; (C) the evaluation clearly indicates on its face that it is for the lender's internal use only; (D) the evaluation is not labeled an appraisal; and (E) the evaluation is on a form approved by the board. Individuals performing these evaluations may be compensated for their services. The lender shall notify its customer if it intends to use an unlicensed evaluator and give the customer the opportunity to elect an evaluation, by a certified or licensed appraiser, the cost of which will be paid as agreed between the lender and the customer.
(a) "Appraisal" means an analysis, opinion or conclusion prepared by a real estate appraiser relating to the nature, quality, value or utility of specified interests in, or aspects of, identified real estate or identified real property. An appraisal may be classified by the nature of the assignment as a valuation appraisal, an analysis assignment or a review assignment.
(b) "Analysis assignment" means an analysis, opinion or conclusion prepared by a real estate appraiser that relates to the nature, quality or utility of identified real estate or identified real property.
(c) "Appraisal foundation" means the appraisal foundation established on the thirtieth day of November, one thousand nine hundred eighty-seven, as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of Illinois.
(d) "Appraisal report" means any communication, written or oral, of an appraisal. An appraisal report may be classified by the nature of the assignment as a "valuation report", "analysis report" or "review report". For the purposes of this article, the testimony of an appraiser dealing with the appraiser's analyses, conclusions or opinions concerning identified real estate or identified real property is considered an oral appraisal report.
(e) "Board" means the real estate appraiser licensing and certification board established by the provisions of this article.
(f) "Certified appraisal report" means a written appraisal report that is certified by a state licensed or certified real estate appraiser. When a real estate appraiser identifies an appraisal report as "certified", the real estate appraiser must indicate the type of licensure or certification he or she holds. By certifying an appraisal report, a state licensed residential real estate appraiser, a state certified general real estate appraiser or a state certified residential real estate appraiser, represents to the public that the report meets the appraisal standards established by this article.
(g) "Certified real estate appraiser" means a person who holds a current, valid certification as a state certified residential real estate appraiser or a state certified general real estate appraiser issued to him or her under the provisions of this article.
(h) "Complex appraisal" means an appraisal that: (1) For nonresidential property, relies on all three approaches to value, being the cost approach, the income approach and the sales comparison approach, or does not have the characteristics of a noncomplex appraisal; and (2) for residential property, relies to any significant degree on at least two of the three approaches to value, with one approach being the sales comparison approach, or does not have the characteristics of a noncomplex appraisal.
(i) "Cost approach" means an approach to valuing real estate which requires an appraiser to: (1) Develop an opinion of site value by an appropriate appraisal method or technique; (2) analyze comparable cost data as are available to estimate the cost new of the improvements if any; and (3) analyze comparable data as are available to estimate the difference between cost new and the present worth of the improvements, also called accrued depreciation.
(j) "Income approach" means an approach to valuing real estate which requires an appraiser to: (1) Analyze comparable rental data as are available to estimate the market rental of the property; (2) analyze comparable operating expense data as are available to estimate the operating expenses of the property; (3) analyze comparable data as are available to estimate rates of capitalization or rates of discount; and (4) base projections of future rent and expenses on reasonably clear and appropriate evidence.
(k) "Licensed real estate appraiser" means a person who holds a current, valid license as a state licensed residential real estate appraiser issued to him or her under the provisions of this article.
(l) "Noncomplex appraisal" means an appraisal for which: (1) There is an active market of essentially identical properties; (2) adequate data is available to the appraiser; (3) adjustments to comparable sales are not large in the aggregate, specifically not exceeding the trading range found in the market of essentially identical properties; and (4) for residential properties, the contract sales price falls within the market norm or median sales price for homes or lots within the same area.
(m) "Real estate" means an identified parcel or tract of land, including improvements, if any.
(n) "Real estate appraisal activity" means the act or process of making an appraisal of real estate or real property and preparing an appraisal report.
(o) "Real estate appraiser" means a person who engages in real estate appraisal activity for a fee or other valuable consideration.
(p) "Real property interests" means one or more defined interests, benefits or rights inherent in the ownership of real estate.
(q) "Review assignment" means an analysis, opinion or conclusion prepared by a real estate appraiser that forms an opinion as to the adequacy and appropriateness of a valuation appraisal or an analysis assignment.
(r) "Sales comparison approach" means an approach to valuing real estate which requires an appraiser to analyze such comparable sales data as are available to indicate a value conclusion.
(s) "Valuation appraisal" means an analysis, opinion or conclusion prepared by a real estate appraiser that estimates the value of an identified parcel of real estate or identified real property at a particular point in time.
(b) A state licensed residential real estate appraiser is authorized to conduct appraisals of: (1) Complex residential real estate of one to four units having a value of less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars; (2) noncomplex residential real estate of one to four units having a value of less than one million dollars; and (3) nonresidential real estate having a value of less than one hundred thousand dollars.
(c) A state certified residential real estate appraiser is authorized to conduct appraisals of residential real estate of one to four units without regard to value or complexity, and nonresidential real estate when the value is less than one hundred thousand dollars.
(d) A state certified general real estate appraiser is authorized to conduct appraisals of all types of real estate.
(e) The board is authorized to establish by legislative rule other classifications of appraiser licensing not prohibited by applicable federal law.
(f) An appraiser shall indicate his or her classification and license or certificate number, on all appraisals, statements of qualification, contracts and other instruments, including advertising media.
(g) A license or certificate may not be issued under the provisions of this article to a corporation, partnership, firm or group.
(h) Nothing contained in this article prohibits any person licensed or certified under this article from engaging in the practice of real estate appraising as a professional corporation in accordance with the provisions of the professional service corporation act of this state.
(b) Each nonresident applicant for licensure or certification and each nonresident registrant for temporary practice within this state shall submit, with his or her application, an irrevocable consent that service of process upon him or her may be made by delivery of the process to the secretary of state if, in an action against the applicant in a court of this state arising out of the applicant's activities as a real estate appraiser in this state, the plaintiff cannot, in the exercise of due diligence, effect personal service upon the applicant.
(c) A nonresident of this state who is not licensed by this state but who is licensed in another state, district or territory, may perform one specific assignment relating to the appraisal of real estate or real property in this state, after being approved by the board in accordance with the rule for temporary registration and complying with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section.
(d) If the board determines that another state or territory or the District of Columbia has substantially equivalent licensure or certification laws for real estate appraisers, an applicant for licensure or certification in this state who is licensed or certified under the laws of the other state, territory or district may obtain a license or certificate as a real estate appraiser in this state upon the terms and conditions set by the board: Provided, That the laws of such state, territory or district accord substantially equal reciprocal rights to a licensed or certified real estate appraiser in good standing in this state, and that disciplinary proceedings are not pending against the applicant in his or her state of licensure or certification.
(b) Members will be appointed for three-year terms, which are staggered in accordance with the initial appointments under prior enactment of this act. No member may serve for more than three consecutive terms. Before entering upon the performance of his or her duties, each member shall subscribe to the oath required by section five, article four of the constitution of this state. The governor shall, within sixty days following the occurrence of a vacancy on the board, fill the vacancy by appointing a person who meets the requirements of this section for the unexpired term. Any member may be removed by the governor in case of incompetency, neglect of duty, gross immorality or malfeasance in office.
(c) The board shall elect a chairman. A majority of the members of the board constitutes a quorum.
(d) The board shall meet at least once in each calendar quarter on a date fixed by the board. The board may, upon its own motion, or shall upon the written request of three members of the board, call additional meetings of the board upon at least twenty-four hours' notice. No member shall participate in a proceeding before the board to which a corporation, partnership or unincorporated association is a party, and of which he or she is or was at any time in the preceding twelve months a director, officer, owner, partner, employee, member or stockholder. A member may disqualify himself or herself from participation in a proceeding for any other cause the member considers sufficient.
(e) The appointed members will receive compensation and expense reimbursement in accordance with the provisions of section eleven, article one of this chapter.
(f) The board may employ staff as necessary to perform the functions of the board, to be paid out of the board fund created by the provisions of this article. Persons employed by any real estate agent, broker, appraiser or lender, or by any partnership, corporation, association or group engaged in any real estate business, may not be employed by the board.
(a) Define by rule the type of educational experience, appraisal experience and equivalent experience that will meet the statutory requirements of this article;
(b) Establish examination specifications as prescribed herein and provide for appropriate examinations;
(c) Approve or disapprove applications for certification and licensure;
(d) Define by rule continuing education requirements for the renewal of certifications and licenses;
(e) Censure, suspend or revoke licenses and certification as provided in this article;
(f) Hold meetings, hearings and examinations;
(g) Establish procedures for submitting, approving and disapproving applications;
(h) Maintain an accurate registry of the names and addresses of all persons certified or issued a license to practice under this article;
(i) Maintain accurate records on applicants and licensed or certified real estate appraisers;
(j) Issue to each licensed or certified real estate appraiser a pocket card with the appraiser's name and license or certification number. Pocket cards are the property of the state of West Virginia and, upon suspension or revocation of the license to practice pursuant to this article, will be returned immediately to the board;
(k) Deposit all fees collected by the board to the credit of the West Virginia appraiser licensing and certification board fund established in the office of the state treasurer. The board shall disburse moneys from the account to pay the cost of board operation. Disbursements from the account may not exceed the moneys credited to it;
(l) Keep records and make reports as required by article one of this chapter; and
(m) Perform any other functions and duties necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.
(b) The disposition of all funds received by the board shall be governed by the provisions of section ten, article one of this chapter.
(1) Licensure and certification requirements, including requirements for applications, examinations, reciprocity, temporary permits, apprentice permits and reinstatement;
(2) Fees for licenses, renewals of licenses and other services provided by the board;
(3) Experience, education and continuing education requirements and approval of courses; and
(4) Any other purpose to carry out the requirements of this article.
(b) The rule governing appraiser qualifications must include requirements which meet or exceed the education, experience and examination requirements issued or endorsed by the appraisal qualifications board of the appraisal foundation.
(c) Any rules in effect as of the passage of this article will remain in effect until amended, modified, repealed or replaced, except that references to provisions of former enactments of this act are interpreted to mean provisions of this article.
(b) Any person licensed or certified by this board who reports or otherwise provides evidence of violations of this article or the board's rules by another person engaging in real estate appraisal activity to the board, is not liable for making the report if it is made without malice and in the reasonable belief that the report is warranted by the facts known to him or her at the time.
(b) To assist the board in determining whether grounds exist to deny the issuance of a license to an applicant, the board may require the fingerprinting of every applicant for an original license.
(c) The payment of the appropriate fee must accompany all applications for original certification and renewal of certification and all applications to take an examination.
(d) At the time of filing an application for original certification or for renewal of certification, each applicant shall sign a pledge to comply with the standards of professional appraisal practice and the ethical rules to be observed by an appraiser. Each applicant shall also certify that he or she understands the types of misconduct, as set forth in this article, for which disciplinary proceedings may be initiated.
(e) To obtain a renewal of license or certification under this article, the holder of a current license or certification shall make application and pay the prescribed fee to the board no earlier than one hundred twenty days nor later than thirty days prior to the expiration date of the current license or certification. Each application for renewal must be accompanied by evidence in the form prescribed by the board that the applicant has completed the continuing education requirements for renewal specified in this article and the board's rules.
(f) If the board determines that an applicant for renewal has failed to meet the requirements for renewal of license or certification through mistake, misunderstanding, or circumstances beyond the control of the applicant, the board may extend the term of the applicant's license or certification for a period not to exceed six months upon payment by the applicant of a prescribed fee for the extension. If the applicant for renewal of license or certification satisfies the requirements for renewal during the extension period, the beginning date of his or her renewal license or certificate shall be the day following the expiration of the certificate previously held by the applicant.
(g) If a state licensed or certified real estate appraiser under this article fails to renew his or her license or certification prior to its expiration or within any period of extension granted by the board pursuant to this article, the applicant may obtain a renewal of his or her license or certification by satisfying all of the requirements for renewal and filing an application for renewal, accompanied by a late renewal fee, within two years of the date that his or her certification expired.
(h) The board may deny the issuance or renewal of a license or certification for any reason enumerated in this article or in the rules of the board, or for any reason for which it may refuse an initial license or certification.
(1) Procuring or attempting to procure license or certification under this article by knowingly making a false statement, submitting false information or making a material misrepresentation in an application filed with the board, or procuring or attempting to procure a license or certification through fraud or misrepresentation;
(2) Paying money other than the fees provided for by this article to any member or employee of the board to procure a license or certification under this article;
(3) An act or omission in the practice of real estate appraising which constitutes dishonesty, fraud or misrepresentation with the intent to substantially benefit the licensee or another person or with the intent to substantially injure another person;
(4) Entry of a final civil or criminal judgment against a licensee on grounds of fraud, misrepresentation or deceit in the making of an appraisal of real estate;
(5) Conviction, including a conviction based upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendre, of a crime which is substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of a person developing real estate appraisals and communicating real estate appraisals to others;
(6) Making a false or misleading statement in that portion of a written appraisal report that deals with professional qualifications or in any testimony concerning professional qualifications;
(7) Violation of any section of this article, or any rule of the board;
(8) Violation of the confidential nature of governmental records to which a licensee gained access through employment or engagement as an appraiser by a governmental agency;
(9) Acceptance of a fee that is or was contingent upon the appraiser reporting a predetermined analysis, opinion, or conclusion, or is or was contingent upon the analysis, opinion, conclusion or valuation reached, or upon the consequences resulting from the appraisal assignment;
(10) Failing to meet the minimum qualifications for state licensure or certification established by or pursuant to this article; or
(11) Failing or refusing without good cause to exercise reasonable diligence, or negligence or incompetence, in developing an appraisal, preparing an appraisal report, or communicating an appraisal.
(b) Every person licensed or certified by the board has a duty to report to the board in a timely manner any known or observed violation of this article or the board's rules by any other person licensed or certified by the board.
(b) The board may revoke, suspend or refuse to renew the license or certificate or otherwise discipline an appraiser, or deny an application, for any of the acts or omissions set forth in this article or in the rules of the board.
(c) If an investigation indicates that an appraiser licensed or certified by the board has violated a law or rule, the board shall serve a formal complaint upon the appraiser. The accused party is required to file an answer within twenty days of the date of service.
(d) In responding to a complaint, the accused party may admit the allegations of the complaint, deny the allegations of the complaint or otherwise plead. Failure to make a timely response shall be considered an admission of the allegations of the complaint.
(e) The board may make informal disposition of the matter, including entering into a consent agreement, or taking one or more of the disciplinary actions set forth in the board's rules.
(f) In a disciplinary proceeding based upon a civil judgment, the licensee shall be afforded an opportunity to present matters in mitigation and extenuation but may not collaterally attack the civil judgment.
(b) The board has the power and authority to issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum, administer oaths and examine any person under oath in connection with any subject relating to duties imposed upon or powers vested in the board.
(c) If the board finds that extraordinary circumstances exist which require immediate action, it may without notice or hearing enter an order taking any action permitted by this article. Immediately upon the entry of the order, certified copies shall be served upon all persons affected, who upon demand are entitled to a hearing at the earliest practicable time.
(d) If, at the conclusion of the hearing, the board determines that an appraiser has violated any of the provisions of this article or the board's rules, it shall prepare a formal decision containing findings of fact, conclusions of law, and disciplinary actions to be taken.
(e) The board may elect to have an administrative law judge or hearing examiner conduct the hearing. If the board makes this election, the administrative law judge or hearing examiner shall present a decision containing recommended findings of fact, conclusions of law, and appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken. The board may accept, reject or modify the decision of the administrative law judge or hearing examiner.
(f) Any party adversely affected by a final order or decision made by the board after a hearing is entitled to judicial review as provided in article five, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.
(g) Any party adversely affected by a final judgment of a circuit court following judicial review may seek review by appeal to the supreme court of appeals in the manner provided in article six, chapter twenty-nine-a of this code.
(b) Any person acting or purporting to act as a certified real estate appraiser who is not certified under this article is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned in the county or regional jail for not more than one year, or both.
(c) If any person receives any money or the equivalent as a fee, commission, compensation or profit by or in consequence of a violation of any provision of this article, he or she shall, in addition to the penalties prescribed above, be subject to a penalty of not less than the sum of money so received nor more than three times the sum as may be determined by the court, which penalty may be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction by any person aggrieved as a result of any such violation.
Acts, 2010 Reg. Sess., Ch. 32. Note: WV Code updated with legislation passed through the 2012 1st Special Session
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