Behind the Scenes - Appraiser Discipline

What are those boxes and stacks of papers?

The photo shows a portion of the 65+ cases that will be considered by the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board Probable Cause Panel on Monday, July 6, 2009. The fourth box is on the other side of the room, out of the picture, in the "unread" corner.

Under the Florida Appraisal License and Certification Statute, Chapter 475, Part II, the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board (FREAB) has the authority to grant and deny registrations and certifications. The FREAB is also tasked with the responsibility to discipline appraisers. The discipline imposed may include suspension (up to 10 years), revocation, fine (up to $5,000 for each offense), reprimand and probation. Like all regulatory boards in Florida, disciplinary procedures are conducted in compliance with applicable laws and rules. These include Chapter 455 and Chapter 120.

There's no reason to bore you with the details. The purpose of this post is to demonstrate that the complaints are real, the investigations are thorough, and the appraisers under scrutiny are really under scrutiny. Florida Appraisers that fail to comply with the law, rules of the FREAB and the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice are disciplined by the FREAB.

As a past member of the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, yours truly has the opportunity to participate as a member of the FREAB Probable Cause Panel. The panel includes a current and past member of the FREAB that meet to consider complaints and cases and determine Probable Cause. If Probable Cause is found, an Administrative Complaint is filed against the licensee. The Probable Cause Panel meets once a month and July is my month!

Although I've made it through 3/4 of the stack, posting is likely to be light over the weekend! In addition to all the reading, I've got a race to watch and will be rooting for the Blue Oval Boys. It would be nice to see Carl Edwards or David Ragan in the winner's circle.