PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Increase real estate appraiser application, certification, licensure, registration, duplicate certificate, certification history, and reciprocal licensing fees to defray costs of administering the real estate appraiser program.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.140.050, 42.24.086.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Under the provisions of RCW 43.24.086, the cost of each professional licensing program shall be borne by the members of the profession. The director of the department of licensing is charged with setting fees at a level sufficient to defray the costs of administering the program. Projected revenue from licensing fees is not sufficient to cover projected operating costs for the real estate appraiser program. Projections of new entrants into the profession have not been realized and licensees have opted not to renew due to market conditions and new restrictions within the industry. There has also been an increase in consumer complaints which will increase the need for staff training, investigation and legal support.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Ralph C. Birkedahl, Real Estate Appraiser Program, P.O. Box 9015, Olympia, WA 98507-9015, phone (360) 664-6504, fax (360) 570-4981.
May 21, 2009
Ralph Birkedahl
Program Manager