Arkansas
Appraiser Continuing Education Requirements

If you hold an Arkansas appraiser credential, it is important to understand that Arkansas uses different renewal and CE cycles depending on credential type. State-licensed, certified residential, and certified general appraisers renew annually on June 30, but their principal CE cycle is 28 hours over the two-year period ending with the even-numbered-year renewal. State-registered and registered apprentice appraisers renew annually on December 31 and must complete 14 hours each calendar year before renewal.

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What Arkansas licensed and certified appraisers need

Arkansas state-licensed, certified residential, and certified general appraisers must complete a minimum of 28 hours of qualifying or continuing education during the two-year period prior to renewal in an even-numbered year. The rule also states that the class-hour requirement may be fulfilled at any time during the cycle.

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USPAP requirement

Arkansas requires appraisers to successfully complete the 7-Hour National USPAP Update Course, or its AQB-approved equivalent, every two calendar years. The current rule also says the 15-Hour National USPAP Course may not be substituted for the 7-hour update course. For appraisers credentialed in more than one jurisdiction, Arkansas follows the AQB standard that they do not need to take more than one 7-hour USPAP Update Course within the same two-calendar-year period to satisfy that AQB requirement.

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Important Arkansas deadlines

Arkansas appraiser credentials must be renewed each year or they are placed on expired status. The current Code of Arkansas Rules provides that state-licensed, certified residential, and certified general credentials renew on June 30 each year, while state-registered and registered apprentice credentials renew on December 31 each year.

If a credential holder misses the renewal date, the rule provides that during the first 184 days of expired status, renewal requires the renewal fee, the required completion certificates, and a late fee of $50 per month or partial month elapsed since the renewal date. The rule also states that a credential holder who fails to complete required CE is not eligible to renew.

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Online and distance education

Arkansas permits distance education and expressly recognizes synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid delivery formats. For asynchronous continuing education, the course must include either a proctored written examination or another prescribed mechanism demonstrating knowledge of the subject matter.

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Special note for state-registered and registered apprentice appraisers

For state-registered and registered apprentice appraisers, the current Arkansas rule is different from the licensed and certified cycle. Those credential holders must complete 14 hours of qualifying or continuing education each calendar year prior to renewal, and their annual renewal date is December 31.

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Course approval and Arkansas-approved offerings

Arkansas course offerings must be approved by the State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors unless they are accepted through the AQB Course Approval Program, which the Board must accept without additional state approval. The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing also publishes an Arkansas approved continuing and qualifying education list, with the search result indicating it was updated April 2, 2026.

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Pending change to watch

As of April 13, 2026, Arkansas has an active proposed rulemaking for the appraiser rules. The official public notice states that the proposed changes are intended to comply with Acts 949 and 974 of 2025 and with changes to the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria adopted by the AQB, and that written comments are being accepted through April 20, 2026.

The posted draft rule would add a requirement that appraisers complete a course meeting the Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations outline every two calendar years. Because that language appears in a draft proposed rule, I would treat it as a pending change only and would not present it as a current Arkansas CE requirement unless and until the final rule becomes effective.

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Stay on track with your Arkansas CE

We offer appraisal education designed to help appraisers satisfy Arkansas continuing education requirements with practical, current instruction and Board-approved course options.

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Legal Authority / Compliance References

The current Arkansas CE requirements for appraisers are set out primarily in 17 CAR § 200-205. That section requires the 7-Hour National USPAP Update Course every two calendar years, requires 28 hours during the two-year period prior to renewal in an even-numbered year for state-licensed, certified residential, and certified general appraisers, and requires 14 hours each calendar year for state-registered and registered apprentice appraisers.

The current Arkansas renewal dates are set out in 17 CAR § 200-215(a), which provides that state-licensed, certified residential, and certified general credentials renew on June 30 each year and state-registered and registered apprentice credentials renew on December 31 each year. The same rule also governs expired-status renewal and late fees.

Arkansas also expressly allows distance education, including synchronous, asynchronous, and hybrid delivery, in 17 CAR § 200-205(a)(5), and sets additional requirements for asynchronous continuing education in 17 CAR § 200-205(c)(7).

The official Arkansas public notice dated in March 2026 confirms that appraiser rule changes are currently proposed, not final, and the publicly posted draft contains the proposed recurring Valuation Bias and Fair Housing Laws and Regulations course requirement.

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Important Disclaimer

This page is provided for general informational purposes only. Continuing education and renewal requirements can change. Appraisers should verify current requirements directly with the Arkansas State Board of Appraisers, Abstracters, and Home Inspectors.

Last reviewed: April 13, 2026.