Accredited & Certified Member, AAA.
Founded in 1949, the Appraisers Association of America has the longest specialist focus on fine and decorative art of any major U.S. appraisal society. Its AM-AAA and CM-AAA designations are recognized by the IRS for personal-property charitable contributions.
The Appraisers Association of America, ordinarily abbreviated AAA, is a New York–based national professional organization whose members work primarily in fine and decorative art — paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, period furniture, decorative arts, and related disciplines. The organization is widely respected within the museum and auction-house communities, and AAA members are frequently consulted for appraisals tied to high-value gifts to public institutions.
AAA awards two principal designations: Accredited Member (AM-AAA) and Certified Member (CM-AAA), the latter being the senior credential.
AM-AAA and CM-AAA.
Accredited Member
The first AAA designation. Requires the candidate to complete AAA-recognized appraisal coursework, hold current USPAP standing, demonstrate a minimum number of years of professional appraisal experience, pass examinations, and submit appraisal reports for peer review.
Certified Member
The senior AAA designation. Requires substantially more documented experience than AM, additional peer review, and a deeper history of professional engagement. The CM-AAA designation is among the most respected personal-property credentials in the United States.
Specialty Focus
AAA is unusual in the depth of its specialty roster — Old Master paintings, American art, Asian art, decorative arts, books and manuscripts, photography, and many others. Members are expected to demonstrate expertise in their declared specialty.
Peer Review
AAA's peer-review process — in which submitted appraisal reports are evaluated by senior members — is widely cited as one of the more rigorous peer-review systems in the field.
The path to AAA membership.
15-Hour USPAP
Federal compliance baseline; required of every AAA candidate.
Specialist Background
Candidates typically come from museum, gallery, auction-house, or academic backgrounds with prior expertise in their declared specialty before enrolling in AAA training.
Complete AAA Coursework
AAA's required coursework covers valuation theory, USPAP-compliant report writing, ethics, and the legal context of appraisals (charitable contribution, estate, insurance, equitable distribution, litigation).
Pass Examinations
Examinations cover the coursework and applied valuation, with both written and report-based components.
Submit Peer-Review Reports
Candidates submit completed appraisal reports for senior peer review. AAA's peer-review standards are notably strict.
Maintain & Renew
Annual dues, continuing education, and current USPAP are required for all AAA designations. Senior CM-AAA standing requires ongoing demonstrated practice.
The fine-art context.
For high-value art gifts — paintings, sculpture, decorative arts, books and manuscripts of museum quality — AAA designations are the credential most often seen on Form 8283 submissions. The combination of specialist expertise, USPAP-compliant report writing, peer-reviewed practice, and the long institutional reputation of the organization satisfies every functional element of Treasury Regulation §1.170A-17.
The IRS Art Advisory Panel — the body that reviews high-value art appraisals submitted with charitable-contribution returns — frequently encounters AAA-designated appraisers' reports and is broadly familiar with the organization's standards.
Specialty Verification. AAA publishes searchable membership rosters by specialty area, allowing donors and donee charities to verify that a chosen appraiser's declared specialty actually matches the property being valued.
Professional Standing. AAA membership signals to museum acquisition committees, galleries, and auction houses that the appraiser has been peer-vetted at a recognized level.
Appraisers Association of America.
For current course schedules, exam dates, peer-review requirements, and the public roster of designated members, visit the official site.
appraisersassociation.orgFind an AAA appraiser: appraisersassociation.org/find-an-appraiser