Real estate appraisers know how challenging it can be to differentiate themselves from the competition. But appraisers who have received the MAI and/or SRA designation from the Appraisal Institute have found the best way to achieve that goal.

Designated members know it’s about taking their career to the next level, enhancing their reputation, expanding their earning opportunities and having the satisfaction that they are among the best of the best.

Obtaining a designation shows appraisers’ clients that they have gone above and beyond the education and experience needed for state certification and have demonstrated professional knowledge, understanding and ability.

Designated members make a commitment to advanced education, defined ethical requirements and higher expectations for the appraisal profession as a whole.

Becoming a Designated AI member puts these valuation professionals in very good company, joining the more than 11,000 individuals who hold designations, including 297 who became newly Designated in 2011 and the nearly 2,000 who are dually Designated (now holding both MAI and SRA designations).

The MAI and SRA designations long have been recognized by courts of law, government agencies, financial institutions and investors as marks of excellence in the field of real estate valuation and analysis.

The MAI designation is held by appraisers who are experienced in the valuation and evaluation of commercial, industrial, residential and other types of properties and who advise clients on real estate investment decisions. View requirements for the MAI designation.

The SRA designation is held by appraisers who are experienced in the analysis and valuation of residential real property. View requirements for the SRA designation.

To further its commitment to designation, and to take the organization from a professional association to a professional society model by 2016, the Appraisal Institute is implementing the Candidate for Designation Program.

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, becoming a Candidate for Designation will be the one and only path to Designated membership in the Appraisal Institute. Those interested in becoming Designated members will enroll in a structured program – similar to an MBA program – that will offer guidance and financial incentives for Candidates to make progress toward an MAI or SRA designation. To learn more about the Candidate for Designation Program, click here (AI member log-in required).

To help ensure that current Associate members get on the right path toward designation, the Appraisal Institute now offers the General Demonstration Report—Capstone Program as a new option that Associate Members may choose to complete their demonstration of knowledge requirement for their MAI designation. This program was designed to offer an option that accelerates the completion of the report in approximately two months, including two webinars and a 7-day classroom course. Additional details are available here.

Lenders, consumers and other housing industry professionals can view the listof Designated AI members.

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