§34-27A-7. Application for licensure and examination; fees; pledge; conditions.

THIS SECTION WAS AMENDED BY ACT 2014-294 IN THE 2014 REGULAR SESSION, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2014. THIS IS NOT IN THE CURRENT CODE SUPPLEMENT.

(a) Applications for original license, renewal license, and examinations shall be made in writing to the board on forms approved by the board.

(b) Appropriate fees, as fixed by the board pursuant to Section 34-27A-6, shall accompany all applications for original license, renewal license, and examination.

(c) At the time of filing an application for license for any real property appraiser classification, each applicant shall sign a pledge to comply with the standards set forth in this chapter and state that he or she understands the types of misconduct for which disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against a licensed real property appraiser, as set forth in this chapter.

(d) A license for any real estate appraiser classification shall be issued only to, and held only by a person who meets all of the requirements of the following subdivisions (1) through (7) below and either subdivision (8) or (9) below:

(1) Who is at least 19 years old and has a high school diploma or equivalent.

(2) Who is a citizen of the United States, or is legally present in this state, or is an alien with permanent resident status.

(3) Who, if a nonresident, agrees to sign an affidavit stating the following and in the following terms:

"I, as a nonresident applicant for an appraisal license and as a licensee, agree that the State of Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board shall have jurisdiction over me in any and all of my real estate related activities the same as if I were an Alabama resident licensee. I agree to be subject to investigations and disciplinary actions the same as Alabama resident licensees. Further, I agree that civil actions may be commenced against me in any court of competent jurisdiction in any court of the State of Alabama.

"I appoint the Executive Director of the State of Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Board as my agent upon whom all disciplinary, judicial, or other process or legal notices may be served. I agree that service upon my agent shall be the same as service upon me and that certified copies of this appointment shall be deemed sufficient evidence thereof and shall be admitted into evidence with the same force and effect as the original might be admitted. I agree that any lawful process against me which is served upon my agent shall be of the same legal force and validity as if personally served upon me and that this appointment shall continue in effect for as long as I have any liability as an appraiser remaining in the State of Alabama. I understand that my agent shall, within a reasonable time after service upon him or her, mail a copy of same by certified mail, return receipt requested, to me, at my last known business address.

"I agree that I am bound by all the provisions of the State of Alabama Real Estate Appraisers Act.

___________

Legal Signature of Applicant"

(4) Who is trustworthy and competent to transact the business of an appraiser in a manner that safeguards the interests of the public.

(5) Whose application or license has not been rejected or revoked in any state within two years prior to date of application on any grounds other than failure to pass a written examination.

(6) Whose membership in any nationally recognized appraisal organization has not been revoked within two years under ethics procedures of the appraisal organization. Membership in an organization is not required by this chapter.

(7) Who is of good moral character.

(8) Who on applying for a license before July 1, 1991, provides evidence to the board of possessing basic appraisal skills by showing to the board that for a period of 24 months prior to application for an appraisal license, has operated within the State of Alabama, as a real estate appraiser or review appraiser or has been employed as a permanent employee, by a company, lending institution, or governmental agency located within the State of Alabama, that appraises real estate or reviews real estate appraisals and produces evidence to the board that he or she possesses those qualifications listed in Section 34-27A-10(a)(1) through (a)(7).

(9) Who on applying for a license after January 1, 1991, provides evidence of having passed within 24 months prior to application a Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice course presented by an approved institution or appraisal organization, provides evidence of having successfully completed the required education from an approved course provider for the real estate appraiser classification for which he or she is applying, and demonstrates basic appraisal skills by achieving a passing grade on the test requirements of Section 34-27A-10.

(e) In addition to all other requirements, an applicant for a license under this section shall submit to the board a form, sworn to by the applicant, containing name, date of birth, and Social Security number for completion of a criminal history background check. The applicant shall submit two complete sets of fingerprints to the board. The board shall submit the fingerprints to the Alabama Bureau of Investigation (ABI) for a state criminal history record check. The fingerprints shall be forwarded by the ABI to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a national criminal history record check. Costs associated with conducting a criminal history background check shall be borne by the applicant. The board shall keep information received pursuant to this subsection confidential, except that such information received and relied upon in denying the issuance of a real property appraiser license in this state may be disclosed to support the denial of the license.

(f) The board may consult with appropriate state or federal law enforcement authorities to verify whether an applicant has a criminal record prior to issuing a license and, as an aid to this duty, each applicant may be required to provide his or her fingerprints and complete an affidavit of his or her criminal record, if any, as part of the application. The board may periodically consult with state and federal law enforcement officials to determine whether current licensees have new criminal convictions.

(Acts 1990, No. 90-639, p. 1175, §7; Acts 1994, No. 94-117, p. 128, §1; Act 2004-525, p. 1093, §1; Act 2008-79, p. 100, §3; Act 2014-294, §1.)