1. How do I join Appraisal Institute of Canada?
2. Do I have to have a degree to become a member?
3. What kind of degree must I obtain?
4. Where do I complete the education requirements for the AIC designations?
5. I am working on my degree at a local university; can I get a head start on completing AIC course requirements and get credit towards my degree?
6. What is the difference between Student and Candidate membership?
7. Is there a minimum annual requirement for course completion?
8. What if I fail a course?
9. What if I get behind?
10. What resources are available to assist me to plan my career in the appraisal profession?
11. How do I find a mentor?
     

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1. How do I join the Appraisal Institute of Canada?
Please contact AIC’s knowledgeable staff at 1.866.726.6916 for information on becoming a Real Value Expert . To join as a candidate or student member please contact your Provincial Associations to have your education reviewed and to obtain all the necessary application forms.

2. Do I have to have a degree to become a member?
You can join as a Student member while completing your degree. You can also become a Candidate member if you have completed all but ten of the requirements of the AACI designation but are still completing a degree. There are several degree programs that allow you to complete your AIC curriculum requirements along with an undergraduate degree. The education requirement for both designations is now a total of four years of post-secondary education (120 credits or equivalent), which must include a degree from a recognized or authorized post-secondary institution.

A recognized post-secondary institution is a public or private institution that has been given, by a public act of the provincial/territorial legislature, the authority to grant academic diplomas and degrees. An authorized post-secondary institution is a private institution that has been given, by a private act of the provincial/territorial legislature, the authority to grant degrees or diplomas. Extensive information about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada and their credit systems is provided on the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) web site.

3. What kind of degree must I obtain?
Acceptable degrees are as follows:

• a four year University degree (typically 120 credits) at the Baccalaureate level. (e.g traditional four year Bachelor's degree, in Arts,Science,Commerce, etc.)
• three year University degree plus additional credits (equivalent to 120 credits in total). These additional credits may be acquired through the completion of AIC curriculum requirements at UBC. e.g a three year degree from an Ontario University at the Bachelor's level,( (90 credits) plus 30 credits or more acquired through additional university studies . These can be accumulated through completion of the AIC curriculum at UBC, typically 3 or 6 credits per course.
• an applied degree, ( undergraduate bachelor (baccalaureate) degree equivalent) as are now granted by community colleges and university colleges in several provinces. Depending on the length and terms of the Applied degree, additional credits (equivalent to 120 credits in total) may be required. These additional credits may be acquired through the completion of AIC curriculum requirements at UBC.
• Masters, post-graduate or post doctoral degrees and diplomas

Note: The 30 credit per year system is fairly standard among Canadian universities; e.g. five two term courses @ 6 credits each, 10 single term courses at 3 credits each, or a combination adding up to 30 credits. Credit definitions may vary between educational institutions, but most are easily compared to the 30 credit system.

4. Where do I complete the education requirements for the AIC designations?
AIC’s primary education partner is the Real Estate Division (RED) of the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia. RED delivers the entire Program of Professional Studies leading to designation in an innovative distance learning model. This ensures consistency of delivery for AIC students no matter where they live in Canada or abroad. The RED has established partnerships with other organizations for both classroom and distance delivery, and also recognizes certain courses offered in universities and colleges as equivalent to certain of the AIC curriculum requirements. For complete information on the AIC program at UBC and other education partnerships visit the Sauder School of Business web site at the University of British Columbia. The Institute has a degree requirement for both its designations.

5. I am working on my degree at a local university; can I get a head start on completing AIC course requirements and get credit towards my degree?
Possibly; many universities will grant a certain number of transfer credits from other educational institutions. Similarly, UBC may grant credit for courses you have completed as part of your current program, in law, economics or mathematics. You should consult with academic advisors at your home university with regard to their acceptance of UBC courses for credit toward your degree. Admissions staff at the Real Estate Division, Sauder School of Business can advise you on what course credits they would accept as equivalent to AIC’s requirements.

6. What is the difference between Student and Candidate membership?
Student membership is open to all permanent residents who are either Canadian citizens or landed immigrants. Applicants may have a variety of educational backgrounds. Some students may already be working in the real property industry sector, and interested in becoming designated professionals. Typically, working Student Members are engaged in activities related to the valuation profession as employees of appraisal firms, lending institutions, real estate brokerages or agencies, in the public sector, or other organizations whose work interrelates with the appraisal profession.

Student Members may perform a variety of technical support functions in the area of real property valuation as employees. They can do technical work related to the preparation of the professional products of AIC Members, including research and data gathering under the supervision of a designated member of the Institute and as prescribed by the AIC Standards. Student members may not inspect properties unsupervised.

Candidate members of the Institute are those who either hold an undergraduate degree or who have completed a combination of courses equivalent to the AACI requirements less 10 required credit courses, as well as having completed the educational entrance requirements of the Institute. Candidate members are professionals in the making, working under the supervision of Canada’s premier valuation professionals. They are typically close to completion of the Appraisal Institute of Canada Program of Study, a unique university graduate level program that is recognized for its high quality and demanding requirements. Candidate members participate in the Professional Liability Insurance Program of the Institute and can sign appraisal reports, provided the reports are co-signed by a designated member of the Institute.

7. Is there a minimum annual requirement for course completion?
Yes, all Candidates must complete one course per year at minimum, more if they are required to do so to meet their deadline for completion of the designation.

8. What if I fail a course?
In the event you are unsuccessful in a course, UBC allows one re-write of the exam. To meet the requirement send in proof of course registration, and proof of registration for the next exam date

9. What if I get behind?
A Candidate who does not complete the minimum requirement of one course per year will be reclassified as a student member with limited rights and privileges, and will be required to serve a one-year waiting period before applying for re-admission to candidacy. They will be subject to new requirements and policies introduced during the waiting period. An extension may be available upon written application, in situations where personal illness, parental leave or serious family matters have prevented the Candidate from compliance with the policies.

10. What resources are available to assist me to plan my career in the appraisal profession?
Upon joining the Institute, you receive a copy of the Members Handbook, a comprehensive guide to the programs and services of the Appraisal Institute of Canada, and a subscription to Canadian Property Valuation magazine, an informative journal featuring articles on professional issues and trends, member profiles and news about Institute initiatives. The AIC is a ‘webcentric’ organization, and provides most of its information online. You also have access to this Candidate website as well as the entire AIC members only website, with its wealth of information resources and opportunities to connect with other members through online forums. AIC’s primary education partner is the Real Estate Division (RED) of the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. RED staff carry out admission to the AIC program of professional studies, provide guidance on course content and university policies, and undertake transcript reviews to determine any transfer credits or equivalencies you may have with respect to the AIC requirements. Once you are ready to complete the applied experience requirements for the designation of your choice, you will need to identify a mentor to guide you through this program. Your mentor‘s role is to encourage you to become an independent professional, and to cultivate the skills to reasonably face real life challenges through exposure to the work life experiences of the mentor.

11. How do I find a mentor?
AIC publishes a Designated Members Source Guide listing all AACI, P. App and CRA members by city and province. This information is also online, in the Find Real Value Expert section of the AIC website (link in the right menu). You can use these directories to contact members in your area to discuss local career opportunities and the potential for establishing a mentoring relationship. Once you become a member of the Institute, you will want to attend local chapter events to take advantage of informal networking opportunities and build relationships with future colleagues. Real estate industry conferences are also a great place to connect with professionals in your chosen field.

May 19, 2011