About BREA
Our Mission
Safeguard public trust by promoting professionalism in the real estate appraisal industry through licensing, education, and enforcement.
Our Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan (ADA compliant version)
BREA must respond not only to a changing regulatory climate but also to real estate market conditions and trends which impact program processes and workload. This plan positions the Bureau to be flexible and excel in a leadership role protecting the public and consumers of appraisal services in California and nationwide.
Background
In 1989, Title XI of the federal Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act was adopted by congress mandating states to license and certify real estate appraisers who appraise property for federally related transactions. The federal law was enacted as a result of the savings and loan disaster.
In response to the federal mandate, the Real Estate Appraisers Licensing and Certification Law was enacted by the California Legislature in 1990 (AB 527, Chapter 491 of 1990). BREA was established within the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency, and charged with developing and implementing a real estate appraiser licensing and certification program compliant with the federal mandate.
BREA, which is entirely funded by licensing fees, is a single program comprised of two core components, licensing and enforcement.
The Licensing Unit sets the minimum requirements for education and experience, according to criteria set by the federal government and California law, to ensure that only qualified persons are licensed to conduct appraisals in federally related real estate transactions. Applicants must meet minimum education and experience requirements and successfully complete a nationally approved examination.
The Licensing Unit also performs background checks on AMCs in order to register them as required.
The Enforcement Unit investigates the background of applicants, licensees, and registrants to ensure they are fit for licensure. The Enforcement Unit also investigates complaints of violations of national appraisal standards filed against licensed appraisers and AMCs.
BREA is responsible for the accreditation of educational courses and providers for real estate appraisers. BREA has reviewed and approved over 1,800 pre-licensing and continuing education courses. In addition to the real estate appraisal related courses offered by California's community colleges and universities, over 90 proprietary schools provide appraiser education.
Past Directors and Bureau Chiefs
| Robert J. West | March 12, 1992 - August 8, 1998 |
| Jerry R. Jolly | May 11, 1998 - July 31, 2000 (Acting) |
| Anthony F. Majewski | August 1, 2000 - April 1, 2008 (Acting) |
| Robert M. Clark | April 14, 2008 - March 23, 2012 | James S. Martin | July 31, 2012 - June 30, 2020 | Loretta Dillon | July 1, 2020 - March 1, 2022 (Acting) | Angela G. Jemmott | March 2, 2022 - Current |