To become a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer (CIAO), the IPAI offers two paths: CIAO Standard Option (99% will use this) and CIAO Certified Appraiser Option (for licensed IL residential and commercial appraisers).
All CIAO Candidates (persons pursuing a CIAO) have four years from the start of their first course to complete all required courses (If your first course began 4/2/19, you have until 4/2/23 to finish).
To obtain a CIAO, you must take six courses (four core courses and two electives). Each of the six courses are 15 hours in length and cover two days (7.5 hours each day) in the classroom, with an exam. A complete list of required core courses and electives can be found below.
The four core courses are offered in a month-long series at our in-person Spring Qualifying Series (in Bloomington/Normal) or at the Winter and Fall Virtual Qualifying Series (held online via Zoom). Electives are offered in-person at various times throughout the year or through home study.
The IPAI offers this expedited path exclusively for those possessing an Illinois “Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser” or “Certified General Real Estate Appraiser” license in good standing. (Associate Real Estate Trainee Appraiser does not qualify).
Two of our core courses are required (either in-person or online) and a comprehensive exam. A complete list of requirements can be found below.
All students are required to pass an exam for each course. Beginning January 1, 2022, all CIAO Candidates must take exams for the four “core courses” online. This is mandatory for virtual as well as in-person core courses. Exams will open at the conclusion of the last day of class and are open for one week. Learn more about online testing technology requirements.
Must complete all four courses and pass accompanying exams.
Choose two from the list below (may be an IPAI or IDOR courses). Must complete both and pass accompanying exams.
Must possess a “Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser” or “Certified General Real Estate Appraiser” license in good standing. (Associate Real Estate Trainee Appraiser does not qualify).
(These courses are taken in the classroom or online)
In addition to the above courses and exam, those seeking the CIAO Certified Appraiser Option must successfully complete a 100-question exam covering material from:
IPAI Course "Property Valuation”
IDOR courses “Introduction to Residential Assessment Practice”, “Introduction to Commercial Assessment Practice”, and basic concepts from “Introduction to Farmland Assessments”
A $500 fee must be paid prior to study materials being provided for the comprehensive exam. This fee is in addition to costs associated with the courses listed above. Contact the IPAI office to request exam materials, pay the fee, and to schedule your exam.
