Assessor qualifications and basic certification, frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the difference between the minimum qualification standards for assessor and the basic certification course requirements for assessor?

A1. Minimum qualification standards for assessor are a combination of work experience and education that a candidate must meet to be qualified for appointment to the position of assessor. Basic certification course requirements refer to the specific training courses that must be completed within the first three years after appointment as assessor.

Q2. Where can I find the basic certification course requirements for assessors?

A2. Assessor Certifications

Q3. Where can I find the minimum qualification standard for appointed assessors?

A3. Minimum qualifications standards for candidates for assessor

Q4. A person with a high school degree has been a staff person in the assessor’s office for two years. Would they meet the minimum qualification standard to be appointed as assessor? Do they have to take the basic certification courses to qualify for appointment as assessor?

A4. This individuals meets the minimum qualification standards for education and work experience. The minimum qualification standard must be met at the time of appointment. After appointment all assessors have three years to successfully complete the basic certification courses. If they completed one or more of the certification courses prior to their appointment, those courses would count toward certification.

Q5. Do basic certification courses earn credit toward the qualifying experience for minimum qualification standards to become an assessor?

A5. At this time, basic certification courses taken prior to appointment do not count towards qualifying experience for the assessor. However, certification courses successfully completed prior to or within three years after appointment will be credited toward basic certification.

Q6. How long does an appointed assessor have to meet the minimum qualifications for assessor?

A6. Individuals must meet the qualifications for assessor at the time of appointment; however, in some instances an individual may be appointed as acting assessor. Individuals appointed as acting assessor must meet the qualification standards within six months.

Q7. An applicant for the assessor position has a high school diploma and has been a licensed real estate salesperson for 10 years. Would their time in real estate be considered qualifying experience?

A7. No. The rules for Real Property Tax Administration specifically state; Mere listing of real property for potential sale, or preparation of asking prices for real estate for potential sale, using multiple listing reports or other published asking prices is not qualifying experience.

Q8. What is an acting assessor?

A8. Appointment to the position of acting assessor is intended to be a temporary measure and is defined in Real Property Tax Law § 314 (see below). Note that, after being an acting assessor for six months, the individual is required to meet minimum qualifications.

§ 314. Acting assessor. 1. In the event that an assessor appointed pursuant to the provisions of section three hundred ten of this title is unable to perform the duties of the office or the office becomes vacant, the appointing authority may by resolution designate or appoint an acting assessor. Where an acting assessor is designated or appointed pursuant to this section, the appointing authority shall notify the commissioner within fifteen days of making such designation or appointment. The acting assessor shall function as assessor until such time as the assessor is able to resume the position or until a replacement is appointed. In the event an acting assessor functions as assessor for more than six months, then such acting assessor shall be required to meet the minimum qualification standards and to obtain certification as required by this title for persons elected or appointed to the office of assessor.

Q9. What are the different requirements for sole elected assessors, board of assessors, and appointed assessors?

A9. Appointed assessors must meet minimum qualifications standards of education and experience, as described in section 8188-2.2 of the 20 NYCRR 8188.

Elected assessors, whether sole elected or a member of a board of assessors, must be at least 18 years old and be a resident of New York State.

Members of elected boards of assessors must complete only a basic course of training. The continuing education program is not required.

After earning basic certification, appointed assessors and sole elected assessors must complete an average of 12 credits of approved continuing education training each year.

All assessors must become recertified upon re-appointment or re-election to office by completing approved ethics training within a year of their re-appointment or re-election to office.

Requirements for appointed assessors, sole elected assessors, and board of assessors

	Single Appointed	Sole Elected	Elected to three-member board
Length of term	6 years	6 years	4 years
Current term dates	Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2031	Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2029	2 members: Jan. 1, 2024 to Dec. 31, 2027 1 member: Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2025
Qualifications	Must meet experience and education standards pursuant to section 8188-2.2 of the 20 NYCRR 8188.	Must meet residency and age requirements.	Must meet residency and age requirements.
Basic required training	Must earn State certified assessor designation. Recertification required upon re-appointment to office.	Must earn State certified assessor designation. Recertification required upon re-appointment to office.	Must earn State certified assessor designation. Recertification required upon re-appointment to office.
Required continuing education training	Continuing education requirement of 12 credits per year.	Continuing education requirement of 12 credits per year.	Continuing education training is optional.
Method of acquiring office	Appointed by municipal board. Professional, career-oriented position.	Must run for elective office in locality. Subject to voter approval.	Must run for elective office in locality. Subject to voter approval.

Q10. What is the Candidate for Assessor Program and how does it work?

A10. The Candidate for Assessor Program is a program designed to allow individuals to be appointed to the position of assessor with a satisfactory certification in hand, making it unnecessary for them to go through a post-appointment certification process.: To be eligible, you must:

• meet the minimum qualifications for the program,
• be enrolled in the program, and
• have successfully completed all basic certification requirements.

Note: Individuals in this program are not eligible for reimbursement for basic certification courses.