What courses do I take?
The IPAI offers a variety of in-person, online, and home study courses. CIAO Candidates may take their courses in the style that best meets their needs.
- In-person courses are held over a period of two back-to-back days (7.5 hours each day).
- Online courses are conducted in an interactive virtual classroom environment with an instructor. Technology requirements must be met to participate.
- Home studies are available for some elective courses. Learners download course book, self-study, and successfully pass an exam.
Keep these helpful tips and information in mind as you put together your plan of study:
- Detailed course schedules and locations are available on the IPAI website under the “Learning” menu.
- You must register and pay for the courses through the IPAI Student Portal.
- CIAO Candidates have four years from the date they completed the CIAO Candidate Application to finish all required courses. If you took an elective course prior to completing the CIAO Candidate Application that you would like to count toward your designation, your four-year clock will begin from the date of your first elective course.
- Successful completion of an exam for each course is required (learn more about online exam requirements)
- All CIAO Candidates should review IPAI’s Academic Policies to fully understand educational deadlines, obligations, and requirements.
Core Required Courses:
Must complete all four courses and pass accompanying exams.
- Introduction to Assessment in Illinois, 15 hours
- Property Valuation, 15 hours
- Basics of Mass Appraisal, 15 hours
- Ethics for New Assessment Professionals, 15 hours
- CIAO Candidates taking the continuing education version of ethics will not receive credit. You must take "Ethics for New Assessment Professionals".
Elective Courses:
Choose two from the list below (may be IPAI or IDOR courses). Must complete both and pass accompanying exams.
- IPAI Electives
- Homestead Exemptions, 15 Hours
- Office Management, 15 hours
- Practical Math for Assessment Officials, 15 hours
- Residential Data Collection, 22.5 hours
- Valuation of Farm Buildings, 15 hours
- IDOR Electives
- Introduction to Property Tax, 15 hours
- Introduction to Residential Assessment Practice, 15 hours
- Introduction to Commercial Assessment Practice, 15 hours
- Introduction to Sales Ratio Studies, 15 hours
- Introduction to Farmland Assessments, 15 hours
- Introduction to Mapping for Assessors, 15 hours
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).
Required Assessment Courses:
- Introduction to Assessment in Illinois, 15 hours with exam
- Basics of Mass Appraisal, 15 hours with exam
(These courses are taken in the classroom or online)
Required 100 Question Comprehensive Exam:
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 $1,000 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.
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