Accredited Member & Accredited Senior Appraiser.
Founded in 1936, the American Society of Appraisers is among the oldest and most respected multidisciplinary appraisal societies in the United States. Its two principal designations — AM and ASA — are recognized by the IRS for both personal-property and other appraisal disciplines.
The American Society of Appraisers, abbreviated ASA, is a national professional organization headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with members and chapters worldwide. Unlike many appraisal organizations, ASA covers multiple disciplines under a single accreditation framework — meaning the rigor and reputation of the AM and ASA designations carry across personal property, real property, business valuation, and several other specialty tracks.
For art, books, antiques, and historical material, the relevant track is Personal Property (PP), taught through a four-course curriculum (PP201–PP204). Jennifer Erkelens-Lam — an independent appraiser whose credentials the Foundation has audited and approved — has completed PP201 through PP204 in full.
AM and ASA.
ASA awards two principal designations along the same education-and-experience curve, with the senior level requiring substantially more documented practice.
Accredited Member
The first ASA designation. Requires successful completion of the four-course curriculum in the chosen discipline, current USPAP standing, peer review of submitted appraisal reports, a minimum experience period, and the ASA examination. The AM holder may use "AM, ASA" after their name on signed appraisals.
Accredited Senior Appraiser
The senior designation. Requires the AM-level credentials plus a minimum of five years of full-time appraisal experience (or its part-time equivalent), additional peer review, and ongoing demonstrated practice. The senior holder may use "ASA" after their name as a stand-alone post-nominal.
Disciplines
ASA designations are issued in Personal Property (PP), Real Property (RP), Business Valuation (BV), Appraisal Review & Management (ARM), Machinery & Technical Specialties (MTS), and Gems & Jewelry (GJ). The same designation framework applies across each.
USPAP Required
Yes. ASA requires the 15-hour USPAP course as a prerequisite to the AM and ASA designations and the 7-hour update every two years thereafter to maintain standing.
PP201 through PP204.
The four-course Personal Property curriculum is the educational core of ASA's PP track. It is widely regarded — including by other appraiser organizations and by the IRS in practice — as a complete grounding in the discipline.
PP201 — Introduction to Personal Property Valuation
Foundational valuation theory, market analysis, the three approaches to value, and the structure of a credible personal-property appraisal.
PP202 — Research & Analysis
Advanced research methodologies, sources, comparable selection, and analytical techniques specific to personal property and decorative arts markets.
PP203 — Report Writing
Formal reporting in USPAP-compliant format and IRS-acceptable appraisal language. Documentation, certifications, and signature requirements.
PP204 — Legal & Commercial Environments
The legal framework around appraisals — including charitable contribution, estate, divorce, insurance, and litigation contexts — and the ethical practice expected within each.
Jennifer Erkelens-Lam, an audited and approved qualified appraiser whose work has been submitted to The Collectible Home Foundation, has completed PP201 through PP204 in full alongside her CAGA Certified standing.
How to earn AM and ASA.
15-Hour USPAP
Complete the federal USPAP entry course before pursuing ASA designations.
Choose a Discipline
Select the discipline track (PP, RP, BV, MTS, GJ, or ARM). For art, books, and antiques, that is Personal Property.
Complete the Curriculum
Four discipline courses (e.g., PP201–PP204), each with its own examination. Coursework is offered in-person at industry events and online through ASA's education platform.
Submit Reports for Peer Review
ASA requires the candidate to submit completed appraisal reports for review by senior peers, ensuring real-world report quality matches classroom training.
Build Experience to AM
The Accredited Member designation requires a defined minimum of documented appraisal experience. The exact minimum is set by ASA and reviewed periodically.
Build to ASA
The senior Accredited Senior Appraiser designation requires five years of full-time appraisal practice and additional peer review.
A textbook example.
ASA designations are among the credentials the IRS most readily recognizes as satisfying Treasury Regulation §1.170A-17. The combination of multidisciplinary rigor, classroom-and-examination structure, peer review of actual reports, mandated experience minimum, and ongoing USPAP and CE requirements speaks directly to every functional pillar of the qualified-appraiser definition.
An appraisal signed by an ASA-designated appraiser, prepared in USPAP-compliant form, carries strong procedural credibility before the IRS and the Tax Court.
Verifiable Education. The PP201–PP204 curriculum is documented in transcripts and certificates the appraiser can produce on request.
Verifiable Experience. ASA's experience minimum requires documented engagements that can be referenced in the appraiser's curriculum vitae.
Standing Verification. ASA maintains a public roster of designated members searchable by name, discipline, and location at appraisers.org.
American Society of Appraisers.
For current course schedules, exam dates, peer-review submission requirements, and the public roster of designated members, visit the official site.
appraisers.orgFind an ASA appraiser: appraisers.org/find-an-appraiser