Appraiser standards

(a) Certification or licensing (1) In general Section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)) is amended— (A) by moving the paragraph two ems to the left; and (B) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following: (A) be certified or licensed by the State in which the property to be appraised is located, except that a Federal employee who chooses to become State-licensed or certified real estate appraisers need to only be licensed or certified in 1 State or territory to perform real estate appraisal duties as a Federal employee in all States and territories; (B) meet the competency requirements described in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice before accepting an assignment; and (C) have demonstrated verifiable education in the appraisal requirements established by the Federal Housing Administration under this subsection, which shall include the completion of a course or seminar that educates appraisers on those appraisal requirements, which shall be— (i) provided by the Federal Housing Administration or a private or public organization with special competence in and knowledge of appraisal education through contracts, grants, or other assistance provided by the Secretary; or (ii) approved by the Course Approval Program of the Appraiser Qualification Board of the Appraisal Foundation or a State appraiser certifying and licensing agency.. (2) Application Subparagraph (C) of section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)), as added by paragraph (1), shall not apply with respect to any appraiser approved by the Federal Housing Administration to conduct appraisals on mortgages insured under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) on or before the date on which the mortgagee letter or other guidance or regulations take effect under subsection (c)(3). (b) Compliance with verifiable education and competency requirements Effective beginning on the date on which the mortgagee letter or other notice or regulations take effect under subsection (c)(3), no appraiser may conduct an appraisal for any mortgage insured under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) unless— (1) the appraiser is in compliance with the requirements under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 202(g)(5) of such Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)), as amended by subsection (a); and (2) if the appraiser was not approved by the Federal Housing Administration to conduct appraisals on mortgages insured under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) before the date on which the mortgagee letter or other notices or regulations take effect under subsection (c)(3), the appraiser is in compliance with subparagraph (C) of such section 202(g)(5). (c) Implementation Not later than the 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue a mortgagee letter or other notice or regulations that shall— (1) implement the amendments made by subsection (a); (2) clearly set forth all of the specific requirements under section 202(g)(5) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(g)(5)), as amended by subsection (a), for approval to conduct appraisals under title II of such Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.), which shall include— (A) providing that, before the effective date of the mortgagee letter or other guidance or regulations, a demonstration of competency and completion of training that meet the requirements under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of such section 202(g)(5), as amended by subsection (a), shall be considered to fulfill the requirements under such subparagraphs; and (B) providing a method for appraisers to demonstrate such prior competency and completion; and (3) take effect not later than the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Secretary issues the mortgagee letter or other notice or regulations.