The examination an individual must pass in order to become a state certified appraiser must be one that has either been developed or approved by the AQB. Title Xl of FIRREA states:

No individual shall be a State certified real estate appraiser under this section unless such individual has achieved a passing grade upon a suitable examination administered by a State or territory that is consistent with and equivalent to the Uniform

State Certification Examination issued or endorsed by the Appraiser Qualifications Board of The Appraisal Foundation.

Over the years, the AQB has reviewed and approved examinations developed by exam vendors and states (there are currently seven approved examination providers). Commencing in 2008, the AQB will offer its own Uniform State Certification Examinations to all of the states. Entities wanting to offer equivalent examinations may do so, as long as the exams have been reviewed and approved by the AQB.