The Appraisal Institute is the acknowledged worldwide leader in residential and commercial real estate appraisal education, research, publishing and professional membership designation programs. Its extensive curriculum of courses and specialty seminars provides a well-rounded education in valuation methodology for both the novice and seasoned practitioner.

The Appraisal Institute also houses the Lum Library, which provides support for the research needs of members as well as the profession at large. The Lum Library section of our Web site allows members to retrieve for full text articles and more.

Members of the Appraisal Institute form a network of highly qualified professionals throughout the United States and abroad. They are identified by their experience in and knowledge of real estate valuation and by their adherence to a strictly enforced Code of Professional Ethics and Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

Membership is open to appraisal practitioners as well as to individuals from allied fields. Designated members may hold the MAI, SRPA or SRA membership designation. Currently, the Appraisal Institute confers one general (commercial) designation, the MAI, and one residential designation, the SRA. The associate member category is for individuals who engage in activity governed by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. Affiliate membership is open to individuals who are not performing USPAP-related work but wish to be allied with the Appraisal Institute such as bankers, attorneys, and government agency representatives.

As the world’s largest publisher of real estate appraisal literature, the Appraisal Institute offers a wide range of books and other materials on a variety of subjects ranging from basic valuation theory and techniques to advanced applications. The Appraisal Institute is also the publisher of The Appraisal Journal, long respected for its authoritative and well-researched articles, and the industry business magazine, Valuation Insights & Perspectives. And for our Internet audience, Appraiser News Online offers regular updates on the appraisal industry.

The Appraisal Institute is also active in advocacy efforts on behalf of its members and the industry at large. Primarily through its Public Affairs office in Washington, D.C., the organization communicates regularly with legislators and regulators to encourage the adoption of appraisal policies that best serve the public interest.