(a) No person, partnership, association, or corporation shall hold himself, herself, or itself out to the public in this State as being qualified to act as a real estate appraiser, or advertise, or engage in the practice of appraising or assume to act as an appraiser, or use in connection with the person’s, partnership’s, association’s or corporation’s name, or otherwise assume or use, any title or description conveying or tending to convey the impression that the person, partnership, association or corporation is qualified to act as an appraiser, unless such person has been duly certified or licensed under this chapter.

(b) Whenever a certificate or license to practice as an appraiser in this State has expired or been suspended or revoked, it shall be unlawful for the person to act as an appraiser in this State.

(c) No person shall act as an appraiser trainee or hold himself or herself out to be an appraiser trainee unless such person has been duly registered by the Council under this chapter.

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  76 Del. Laws, c. 340, §  4; 

(a) An applicant, who is applying for certification or licensure as an appraiser under this chapter, for the relevant certificate, license or registration, shall submit evidence, verified by oath and satisfactory to the Council, that such person:

(1) Has met the qualifications established by the AQB and incorporated into this section by reference.

(2) Shall not have been the recipient of any administrative penalties regarding that applicant’s practice as an appraiser, including but not limited to fines, formal reprimands, license suspensions or revocation, (except for license revocations for nonpayment of license renewal fees), probationary limitations, and/or has not entered into any “consent agreements” which contain conditions placed by a Council on that applicant’s professional conduct and practice, including any voluntary surrender of a license. The Council may determine after a hearing whether such administrative penalty is grounds to deny licensure.

(3) Shall not have any impairment related to drugs or alcohol that would limit the applicant’s ability to act as an appraiser in a manner consistent with the safety of the public.

(4) Does not have a criminal conviction record, nor pending criminal charge relating to an offense that is substantially related to real estate appraising. Applicants, who have criminal conviction records or pending criminal charges, shall request appropriate authorities to provide information about the record or charge directly to the Council. However, if after consideration of the factors set forth under § 8735(x)(3) of Title 29 through a hearing or review of documentation the Council finds that a waiver would not create an unreasonable risk to public safety, the Council, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum, shall waive this paragraph (a)(4).

a.-d. [Repealed.]

(5) Has no disciplinary proceedings or unresolved complaints pending against the applicant in any jurisdiction where the applicant has previously been or currently is licensed, certified, or registered.

(b) Where the Council has found to its satisfaction that an applicant has been intentionally fraudulent, or that false information has been intentionally supplied, it shall report its findings to the Attorney General for further action.

(c) Where the application of a person has been refused or rejected and such applicant feels that the Council has acted without justification, has imposed higher or different standards for the applicant than for other applicants, registrants, certificants or licensees, or has in some other manner contributed to or caused the failure of such application, the applicant may appeal to the Superior Court.

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  75 Del. Laws, c. 436, §  46;  77 Del. Laws, c. 199, §  34;  78 Del. Laws, c. 44, §§  66, 67;  83 Del. Laws, c. 433, § 28; 

(a) Persons, who are presented to the Council by a supervising appraiser for registration as an appraiser trainee, shall provide a statement to the Council that the trainee:

(1) Shall perform only those specific functions, which have been delineated in the supervising appraiser’s statement; and

(2) Shall practice only under the direct supervision of a state-certified appraiser; and

(3) Shall identify themselves to the public as a real estate appraisal trainee; and

(4) Has not been convicted of a crime that is substantially related to the practice of real estate appraisal. However, if after consideration of the factors set forth under § 8735(x)(3) of Title 29 through a hearing or review of documentation the Council determines that granting a waiver would not create an unreasonable risk to public safety, the Council, by an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum, shall waive this paragraph (a)(4).

a.-d. [Repealed.]

(b) An applicant, who has been registered by the Council as an appraiser trainee, may assist in the completion of an appraisal report, including an opinion of value, and may co-sign an appraisal, provided that the appraiser trainee is actively and personally supervised by a state-certified real estate appraiser.

(c) In addition, the supervising state-certified real estate appraiser shall review and sign all appraisals prepared under the supervising state-certified real estate appraiser’s supervision by the appraiser trainee and shall accept total responsibility for the appraisal report.

(d) The Council in its regulations shall determine the number of appraiser trainees that a supervising appraiser may supervise and the requirements of their supervision.

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  75 Del. Laws, c. 436, §  47;  76 Del. Laws, c. 340, §  5;  77 Del. Laws, c. 199, §  35;  78 Del. Laws, c. 44, §§  68, 69;  82 Del. Laws, c. 9, § 3;  83 Del. Laws, c. 433, § 28; 

(a) A real estate appraiser from another state, who is licensed or certified by the appraiser licensing or certifying agency in such state, may apply for registration to receive temporary licensing or certification privileges in this State by paying all required fees and filing with the Council an application, on a form prescribed by the Council for such purpose, which shall set forth and include:

(1) The applicant’s name, address, social security number, and such other information as may be necessary to identify the applicant; and

(2) The type of license or certificate held by the applicant and the license or certificate number;

(3) The dates of licensure or certification and the expiration date of the applicant’s current license or certificate;

(4) Whether the license or certificate was issued as a result of passing a licensure or certification examination, by reciprocity, or by some other means;

(5) A statement that the person has met the requirements of § 4008(a)(2), (3), (4), and (5) of this title;

(6) A statement that the applicant agrees to abide by all appraiser laws and rules of this State and to cooperate with any investigation initiated as provided under this chapter;

(7) Identification of the property to be appraised and the anticipated duration of the assignment; and

(8) Such other information as may be necessary to determine the applicant’s eligibility for temporary appraiser licensing or certification privileges in this State.

(b) Licensing and certification privileges granted under the provisions of this section shall expire upon completion of the specific appraisal assignment for which the Council has issued the temporary license or certificate.

(c) The Division is empowered to issue a temporary license or certificate to an appraiser from another state, who has documented compliance with the requirements of this section.

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  82 Del. Laws, c. 9, § 3; 

(a) Upon payment of the appropriate fee and submission and acceptance of a written application on forms provided by the Council, the Council shall grant a license to each applicant, who shall present proof of current licensure in good standing in another state, the District of Columbia, or territory of the United States, whose standards for licensure are substantially similar to those of this State.

(b) An applicant, who is licensed in a state whose standards are not substantially similar to those of this State, shall have practiced for a minimum of 5 years after licensure; provided however, that the applicant meets all other qualifications for reciprocity in this section.

(c) An applicant, who is a graduate of a foreign college or university, and who is not licensed in another state, the District of Columbia, or territory of the United States, shall submit a certified copy of the applicant’s college or university record for evaluation by the Council, in addition to fulfilling the applicable requirements for licensure of §§ 4008 and 4009 of this title.

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  79 Del. Laws, c. 163, §  1; 

The amount to be charged for each fee imposed under this chapter shall approximate and reasonably reflect all costs necessary to defray the expenses of the Council, as well as the proportional expenses incurred by the Division in its service on behalf of the Council. There shall be a separate fee charged for each service or activity, but no fee shall be charged for a purpose not specified in this chapter. The application fee shall not be combined with any other fee or charge. At the beginning of each licensure biennium, the Division, or any other state agency acting in its behalf, shall compute, for each separate service or activity, the appropriate fees for the licensure biennium. The Division shall charge a biennial fee to licensees and certificate holders for enrollment in the federal roster or registry.

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3; 

(a) The Council shall issue a license to each applicant, who meets all of the requirements of this chapter for licensure or certification as an appraiser and who pays the fee established under § 4012 of this title.

(b) Each license or certificate shall be renewed biennially in such manner as is determined by the Division, and upon payment of the appropriate fee and submission of a renewal form provided by the Division, and proof that the licensee has met the continuing education requirements established by the Council, and shall meet the requirements of § 4008(a)(2), (3), (4) and (5) of this title.

(c) Licensees and certificate holders shall be enrolled in the Federal roster or registry of state-licensed and state-certified real property appraisers. The licensee or certificate holder shall pay the fee established for that purpose biennially to the State.

(d) The Council, in its rules and regulations, shall determine the period of time within which a licensed or certified appraiser may still renew that appraiser’s license, notwithstanding the fact that such licensee or certificate holder has failed to renew on or before the renewal date.

(e) A licensee or certificate holder, upon written request, may be placed in an inactive status in accordance with the Council’s rules and regulations. The renewal fee of such person shall be prorated according to the amount of time such person was inactive. Such person may reenter practice upon written notification to the Council of the intent to do so and completion of continuing education as required in the Council’s rules and regulations.

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1;  82 Del. Laws, c. 88, § 2;  83 Del. Laws, c. 532, § 1; 

(a) A practitioner licensed or certified under this chapter shall be subject to disciplinary actions set forth in § 4016 of this title, if, after a hearing, the Council finds that the appraiser:

(1) Has employed or knowingly cooperated in fraud or material deception in order to acquire a license or certificate as an appraiser; has impersonated another person holding a license or certificate, or allowed another person to use that appraiser’s license or certificate, or aided or abetted a person not licensed or certified as an appraiser to represent himself or herself as an appraiser.

(2) Has illegally, incompetently or negligently practiced appraising.

(3) Has been convicted of a crime that is substantially related to the practice of real estate appraisal. A copy of the record of conviction certified by the clerk of the court entering the conviction shall be conclusive evidence therefor.

(4) Has excessively used or abused drugs either in the past 2 years or currently; excessive use or abuse of drugs shall mean any use of narcotics, controlled substances, or illegal drugs without a prescription from a licensed practitioner, or the abuse of alcoholic beverage such that it impairs the practitioner’s ability to perform the work of an appraiser.

(5) Has violated a lawful provision of this chapter, or any lawful regulation established thereunder.

(6) Has had that appraiser’s own license or certificate as an appraiser suspended or revoked, or other disciplinary action taken by the appropriate licensing authority in another jurisdiction; provided, however, that the underlying grounds for such action in another jurisdiction have been presented to the Council by certified record; and the Council has determined that the facts found by the appropriate authority in the other jurisdiction constitute 1 or more of the acts defined in this chapter. Every person licensed or certified as an appraiser in this State shall be deemed to have given consent to the release of this information by the Council or other comparable agencies in another jurisdiction, and have waived all objections to the admissibility of previously adjudicated evidence of such acts or offenses.

(7) Has failed to notify the Council that the appraiser’s license or certificate as an appraiser in another state has been subject to discipline, or has been surrendered, suspended, or revoked. A certified copy of the record of disciplinary action, surrender, suspension or revocation shall be conclusive evidence thereof.

(b) Where a practitioner fails to comply with the Council’s request that the practitioner attend a hearing, the Council may petition the Superior Court to order such attendance, and the said Court or any judge assigned thereto shall have the jurisdiction to issue such order.

(c) Subject to the provisions of subchapter IV of Chapter 101 of Title 29, no license or certificate shall be restricted, suspended, or revoked by the Council, and no practitioner’s right to practice appraising shall be limited by the Council until such practitioner has been given notice, and an opportunity to be heard, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act [Chapter 101 of Title 29].

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1; 

(a) All complaints shall be received and investigated by the Division in accordance with § 8735 of Title 29, and the Division shall be responsible for issuing a final written report at the conclusion of its investigation.

(b) When it is determined that an individual is engaging, or has engaged, in the practice of appraising, or is using the title “appraiser” or other title implying that the individual is competent to act as an “appraiser” and is not licensed or certified under the laws of this State, the Council shall apply to the Office of the Attorney General to issue a cease and desist order.

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1; 

(a) The Council may impose any of the following sanctions, singly or in combination, when it finds that 1 of the conditions or violations set forth in § 4014 of this title applies to a practitioner regulated by this chapter:

(1) Issue a letter of reprimand.

(2) Censure a practitioner.

(3) Place a practitioner on probationary status, and require the practitioner to:

a. Report regularly to the Council on the matters, which are the basis of the probation.

b. Limit all practice and professional activities to those areas prescribed by the Council.

(4) Suspend any practitioner’s license or certificate.

(5) Revoke any practitioner’s license or certificate.

(6) Impose a monetary penalty not to exceed $500 for each violation.

(b) The Council may withdraw or reduce conditions of probation when it finds that the deficiencies, which required such action, have been remedied.

(c) In the event of a formal or informal complaint concerning the activity of a licensee that presents a clear and immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare, the Board may temporarily suspend the person’s license, pending a hearing, upon the written order of the Secretary of State or the Secretary’s designee, with the concurrence of the Board chair or the Board chair’s designee. An order temporarily suspending a license may not be issued unless the person or the person’s attorney received at least 24 hours’ written or oral notice before the temporary suspension so that the person or the person’s attorney may file a written response to the proposed suspension. The decision as to whether to issue the temporary order of suspension will be decided on the written submissions. An order of temporary suspension pending a hearing may remain in effect for no longer than 60 days from the date of the issuance of the order unless the temporarily suspended person requests a continuance of the hearing date. If the temporarily suspended person requests a continuance, the order of temporary suspension remains in effect until the hearing is convened and a decision is rendered by the Board. A person whose license has been temporarily suspended pursuant to this section may request an expedited hearing. The Board shall schedule the hearing on an expedited basis, provided that the Board receives the request within 5 calendar days from the date on which the person received notification of the decision to temporarily suspend the person’s license.

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  79 Del. Laws, c. 213, §  2; 

(a) If the Council determines after an investigation that a violation of this chapter or of the rules and regulations enacted pursuant to this chapter warranting formal disciplinary action has not occurred, but that an act or omission of the licensee or certificate holder is a matter of concern and that licensee’s or certificate holder’s practice may be improved if made aware of the concern, the Council may issue a nondisciplinary confidential letter of concern regarding the licensee’s or certificate holder’s act or omission.

(b) If a person licensed under this chapter receives a total of 3 letters of concern pursuant to this section, the Council may reasonably require a formal assessment of professional competency to assess the licensee’s or certificate holder’s ability in order to protect the health and safety of the public. At such hearing, all of the licensee’s or certificate holder’s letters of concern may be deemed no longer confidential and may be admitted into evidence.

79 Del. Laws, c. 163, §  1; 

(a) If a complaint is filed with the Council pursuant to § 8735 of Title 29, alleging violation of § 4016 of this title, the Council shall set a time and place to conduct a hearing on the complaint. Notice of the hearing shall be given and the hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29.

(b) All hearings shall be informal without use of rules of evidence. If the Council finds, by a majority vote of all members, that the complaint has merit, the Council shall take such action permitted under this chapter, as it deems necessary. The Council’s decision shall be in writing and shall include its reasons for such decision. The Council’s decision shall be mailed immediately to the practitioner.

(c) Where the practitioner is in disagreement with the action of the Council, the practitioner may appeal the Council’s decision to the Superior Court within 30 days of service, or of the postmarked date of the copy of the decision mailed to the practitioner. Upon such appeal the Court shall hear the evidence on the record. Stays shall be granted in accordance with § 10144 of Title 29.

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  1; 

(a) As a condition to reinstatement of a suspended license, or removal from probationary status, the Council may reinstate such license if, after a hearing, the Council is satisfied that the licensee has taken the prescribed corrective actions and otherwise satisfied all of the conditions of the suspension and/or the probation.

(b) Applicants for reinstatement shall pay the appropriate fees and submit documentation required by the Council as evidence that all the conditions of a suspension and/or probation have been met. Proof that the applicant has met the continuing education requirements of this chapter may also be required, as appropriate.

(c) [Repealed.]

75 Del. Laws, c. 105, §  3;  82 Del. Laws, c. 8, § 18;