MAI designation (source: The Appraisal Institute)
MAI stands for Member, Appraisal Institute. The Appraisal Institute is an international membership association of professional real estate appraisers, with more than 18,000 members and 99 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. Its mission is to support and advance its members as the choice for real estate solutions and uphold professional credentials, standards of professional practice and ethics consistent with the public good. The MAI designation, its most prestigious, is held by appraisers who are experienced in the valuation of commercial, industrial, residential, and other types of property and who advise clients on real estate investment decisions.

MAI designates must meet the following requirements:

Education:

• Receive a passing grade on 11 examinations that reflect 380 hours of classroom instruction and that test the appraiser’s knowledge of basic and advanced appraisal principles, procedures and applications; report writing; valuation analysis and standards of professional practice
• Receive a passing grade on a four-module, two-day comprehensive examination
• Hold an undergraduate degree from a four-year accredited educational institution

Experience:

Receive credit for 6,000 hours of experience, including 3,000 hours of specialized appraisal experience, all of which must meet strict criteria.

Demonstration Report:

Receive credit for a demonstration appraisal report relating to income-producing property that demonstrates the ability to present a properly supported value estimate or opinion evaluating the nature, quality or utility of a parcel of real estate or any interest in, or aspect of, real property, including handling physical incurable depreciation, or fulfill an approved comparable alternative. Because of its rigorous requirements and commitment to providing valuable information, continuing education and other valuable resources to its members, you can be confident and appraiser with an MAI designation will provide you with the very highest quality service on virtually any appraisal assignment, even the most complex commercial appraisal.

SRA designation (source: The Appraisal Institute)
SRA stands for Senior Residential Appraiser, and is a designation conferred by the Appraisal Institute. The Appraisal Institute is an international membership association of professional real estate appraisers, with more than 18,000 members and 99 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. Its mission is to support and advance its members as the choice for real estate solutions and uphold professional credentials, standards of professional practice and ethics consistent with the public good. The SRA designation, the Institute's most prestigious for its members who practice primarily residential appraisal, is held by real estate solutions providers who are experienced in the analysis and valuation of residential real property.

SRA designates must meet the following requirements:
Education:

• Receive a passing grade on six examinations that reflect 181 hours of classroom instruction and that test the appraiser’s knowledge of appraisal principles, residential valuation techniques, report writing and standards of professional practice
• Hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited educational institution (or satisfy a specified alternative)

Experience:
Receive credit for 4,000 hours of experience, including 2,000 hours of residential appraisal experience, all of which must meet strict criteria.

Demonstration Report:
Receive credit for a demonstration appraisal report relating to a residential property that demonstrates the ability to present a properly supported value estimate or opinion evaluating the nature, quality, or utility of a parcel of real estate or any interest in, or aspect of, real property, or fulfill an approved comparable alternative.

Because of its rigorous requirements and commitment to providing valuable information, continuing education and other valuable resources to its members, you can be confident an appraiser with an SRA designation will provide you with the very highest quality residential appraisal service.