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Ethics component

Ethics recertification requirement

Completion of the Ethics course is required for certified assessors and county directors no more than one year prior to or one year after re-appointment or re-election to office.

Course information
Prerequisite None
Duration Varies
Self study Not available
Web based Available from some Professional training organizations.

Used for basic certification and recertification

Required for:

  • new assessors and new county directors within a year of taking office; and
  • re-elected and re-appointed assessors and county directors. (Approved training must be completed no more than one year prior to or one year after re-appointment or re-election to office.)
Course descriptions

These courses are approved by ORPTS to satisfy the ethics component:

  • Ethics and the Assessor: Sponsored by the Institute of Assessing Officers of the New York State Assessors’ Association (NYSAA). Visit the New York State Assessors' Association site for course offerings.

    Method: Classroom, one day.

    Ethics and the Assessor is designed to provide students with an understanding of the key ethical elements faced by local assessment officials. The course includes discussion about ethical workplace issues, municipal ethics law, values, ethical conduct guidelines, conflicts of interest, ethical dilemmas, statement of disclosure, freedom of information law, open meetings law and public service issues.

  • Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP): 7-hour update course or 15-hour National course. Offered by professional training organizations. 

    Method: Classroom and online, one day (7 hour) or two day (15 hour).

    USPAP courses were developed by the Appraisal Foundation. The 15-hour course focuses on requirements for ethical behavior and competent performance set forth in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. The 7-hour Update class provides a general overview of USPAP guidelines, advisory opinions, statements, and other appraisal practices. The 7-hour course is updated regularly to address changes to USPAP.
CE credits

Continuing education (CE) credit will not be awarded when a certified assessor or certified county director is taking ethics training for the purpose of obtaining re-certification.

The ethics recertification course does not satisfy any portion of the continuing education credit requirement when taken within one year of re-appointment or re-election to office.

To find course offerings refer to Educational organizations specializing in appraisal training.

For more information on courses that are equivalent, please contact Educational Services.

Information is available on Certification requirements.

Updated: