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Path To Designation – Candidate Member

How to Become a Candidate Member

If you have completed at least two years of post-secondary studies*, you can become a Candidate Member as you work towards obtaining your AACI or CRA designation.

A Candidate Member typically works actively in the profession, earning money as an appraiser-in-training and taking courses at the same time.

What steps do I follow?

STEP 1

Take these courses:

AIC 101 – Introduction to the Appraisal Profession (3-hour webinar, available online most months).

BUSI 330 – Foundations of Real Estate or equivalent (an online UBC course, available 3 times a year).

STEP 2

Complete the AIC Introduction to Professional Practice Seminar (ITPP):

The AIC Introduction to Professional Practice Seminar must be completed prior to being accepted as a Candidate.

STEP 3

Fill out an Application Form:

Complete a Candidate Member Application Form, and submit it to your provincial office.

NOTE: As part of the Candidate application process, new applicants will be subject to a mandatory Criminal Record Check. More information is available in the application form. 

*Candidates must complete a university degree before sitting the Applied Experience written exam.

I’ve registered as a Candidate Member

What's next?
How to Earn an AIC Designation as a Candidate Member

You need 3 components to complete all Candidate Member requirements: Courses, Applied Experience and Work Product Review.

What courses do I take?

The courses are all online through the University of British Columbia, so you can take them from anywhere in the world.

CRA Designation

AIC/UBC Courses:

BUSI 100 – Micro Foundations of Real Estate Economics

BUSI 101 – Capital Markets and Real Estate (Prerequisite BUSI 100)

BUSI 111 – BC Real Property Law and Real Estate Ethics OR BUSI 112 – Canadian Real Property Law and Real Estate Ethics

BUSI 121 – Foundations of Real Estate Mathematics OR BUSI 344 – Statistical and Computer Applications in Valuation

BUSI 352 – Case Studies in Residential Appraisal

BUSI 400 – Residential Property Analysis

BUSI 433 Real Estate Business , OR BUSI 443 Foundations of Real Property Assessment and
Mass Appraisal

Guided Case Study: BUSI 398 – Residential Property GCS, OR BUSI 444 – Comprehensive Case Study Examination Equivalency.

AACI Designation

AIC/UBC Courses:

BUSI 100 – Micro Foundations of Real Estate Economics

BUSI 101 – Capital Markets and Real Estate (Prerequisite BUSI 100)

BUSI 111 – BC Real Property Law and Real Estate Ethics OR BUSI 112 – Canadian Real Property Law and Real Estate Ethics

BUSI 121 – Foundations of Real Estate Mathematics

BUSI 293 – Introduction to Financial Accounting

BUSI 300 – Urban and Real Estate Economics

BUSI 331 – Real Estate Investment Analysis and Advanced Income Appraisal

BUSI 344 – Statistical and Computer Applications in Valuation

BUSI 400 – Residential Property Analysis

BUSI 401 – Commercial Property Analysis

BUSI 433 Real Estate Business, OR BUSI 443 Foundations of Real Property Assessment and Mass Appraisal

BUSI 442 – Case Studies in Appraisal I

BUSI 452 – Case Studies in Appraisal II

BUSI 460 – Critical Analysis and Forecasting in Real Estate

Guided Case Study: BUSI 497 – Agricultural Guided Case Study OR BUSI 499 – Income Property Guided Case Study

What applied experience do I need?

The Applied Experience Program (AEP) provides practical experience within the valuation industry, and ensures that all Candidate Members obtain relevant experience in the application of the First Principles of Value in a professional setting and develop the professional competencies of AIC Members that are expected by clients.

CRA Designation

The minimum experience requirement is counted from the day of acceptance into the AEP. Candidates will be notified by the provincial affiliated association office of the date of acceptance.

Candidates must attain no less than one year of applied experience prior to writing the CRA Applied Experience Exam.

AACI Designation

The minimum experience requirement is counted from the day of acceptance into the AEP. Candidates will be notified by the provincial affiliated association office of the date of acceptance.

Candidates must attain no less than two years of applied experience prior to writing the AACI Applied Experience Exam.

What is the Work Product Review?

Work Product Review (WPR) involves having two (2) pieces of your appraisal work assessed by National Peer Reviewers. A Candidate Member can begin submitting appraisals for WPR while still enrolled in the Applied Experience Program. The WPR ensures that work product completed and submitted by a CRA or Candidate Member is in compliance with the CUSPAP. Further:

  • Submissions must be successfully reviewed prior to uploading your next work product.
  • Each submission should provide evidence of growth and complexity of assignment.
  • Each submission should provide a different focus for the report.

I’ve completed my courses, work experience and work product review

What's next?
Final Steps

There are two steps left before you earn your AIC designation:

Step 1:

The Applied Experience Written Exam (administered by UBC)

The Applied Experience Written Exam assesses a Candidate Member’s understanding of the First Principles of Value as they relate to experiential knowledge. Experiential knowledge refers to the wisdom gained from experience and insight in applying academic knowledge to actual or simulated situations.

Step 2:

The Professional Competency Interview (conducted by trained AIC Examiners)

The Professional Competency Interview (PCI) is the final step on the path to designation. It is based on Behavioural Descriptive Interview (BDI) techniques, and is carried out by trained examiners who have passed the Applied Experience Written Examination. A satisfactory answer is required for each of the five competencies.

Click here to read some other helpful information for AIC Candidate Members.

I have completed my Applied Experience Written Exam and my Professional Competency Interview

What's next?
Is There Anything Else I Should Know?

There are a few important Candidate Member policies you should be aware of. All Candidate Members must adhere to these policies:

Deadline to Complete Designation

An AIC designation must be completed within 10 years of becoming a Candidate Member.

Continuing Professional Development

A Candidate must complete 24 credits every two-year cycle including one university credit course (12 credits) and a One-Day Professional Practice Seminar (7 credits) plus five discretionary credits.

Candidate Co-Signing

Any appraisal reports signed by a Candidate Member must be co-signed by an AIC-Designated Member who is responsible for adding the Candidate Member to the AIC’s Co-Signing Registry.

Deadline to Complete Designation

A Candidate Member must be enrolled in AIC’s Professional Liability Insurance Program.

More questions? Read our Path to Designation Frequently Asked Questions.

Click here to download the steps to a P. App., CRA designation.

Click here to download the steps to a P. App., AACI designation.

Click here to download the steps to a P. App., AACI designation FROM a P. App., CRA designation.