Certified Member, CAGA.
A national professional organization with a strong personal-property focus — fine art, antiques, residential contents, jewelry, and vehicles. CAGA standing is the IRS-recognized designation held by Jennifer Erkelens-Lam, an independent appraiser whose credentials The Collectible Home Foundation has audited and approved.
The Certified Appraisers Guild of America, ordinarily abbreviated CAGA, is a national professional organization for personal-property appraisers. CAGA's members work primarily in the kinds of property the Foundation regularly handles — fine and decorative art, antiques, residential and estate contents, books, jewelry, vintage and classic vehicles — and the organization's curriculum and ethics are oriented toward those disciplines.
The principal designation CAGA awards is Certified Member of CAGA, often shortened to "CAGA Certified." This is the credential held by Jennifer Erkelens-Lam, an independent appraiser whose credentials the Foundation has audited and approved as meeting the IRS qualified-appraiser standard.
A working personal-property credential.
CAGA Certified standing requires the appraiser to complete the organization's training, pass a proctored examination, hold current USPAP standing, agree in writing to the CAGA Code of Ethics, and maintain ongoing continuing education and dues.
The IRS's Treasury Regulation §1.170A-17 requires that an appraiser hold a designation from a "recognized professional appraiser organization" or otherwise demonstrate verifiable education and experience. CAGA's certification — together with current USPAP — meets that standard for personal-property work, including the type of charitable contributions handled by the Foundation.
Designation Used. "CAGA Certified" or "Certified Member of CAGA," typically appearing after the appraiser's name on signed appraisal reports.
Disciplines Covered. Fine art and antiques, decorative arts, books and ephemera, jewelry, vehicles (vintage, classic, specialty), full estate contents, and equipment.
USPAP Required. Yes — current USPAP is a precondition of certification and of every subsequent renewal.
The path to CAGA Certified.
CAGA's certification process is well-defined. Candidates can typically complete it in nine to fifteen months of part-time study, depending on prior experience and exam preparation.
Complete the 15-hour USPAP course
From The Appraisal Foundation or another AQB-approved provider. This is the federal-level baseline that underlies every personal-property credential.
Enroll in CAGA's training
CAGA's coursework covers valuation theory, research methodology, comparable selection, condition reporting, ethics, and report writing. Coursework is delivered both online and in-person.
Pass the certification examination
The proctored examination covers USPAP compliance, ethics, valuation methodology, research, and report writing. A passing score is required for certification.
Sign the CAGA Code of Ethics
Every Certified Member commits in writing to CAGA's Code of Ethics — covering integrity, independence, confidentiality, and proper professional conduct.
Pay annual dues and maintain CE
Certification is annual. Dues, continuing education hours, and current USPAP standing are required for renewal each year.
Operate as a regular practitioner
The IRS requires "regular practice" — meaning paid appraisal work — as part of the qualified-appraiser definition. Certification alone, without active practice, is not enough for IRS purposes.
The compliance lens.
The IRS does not maintain its own list of approved appraiser certifications by name. Instead, Treasury Regulation §1.170A-17 sets out functional criteria, and IRS Notice 2006-96 confirms that designations from recognized professional appraiser organizations satisfy those criteria so long as the underlying credentialing process meets the substance of the regulatory requirements.
CAGA's certification process — combining USPAP, formal coursework, a proctored examination, an enforced ethics code, continuing education, and active practice — satisfies the four functional pillars the regulation requires.
Education. Formal coursework in valuation theory, research, and report writing.
Examination. Proctored, with a defined passing standard.
Standards. USPAP plus the CAGA Code of Ethics.
Continuing Compliance. Annual renewal with documented CE hours.
Where CAGA fits among the major options.
Several other organizations issue IRS-recognized personal-property appraisal credentials. None of them is "higher" than CAGA in any official sense — but each has a distinct emphasis, and many working appraisers hold designations from more than one organization, layered on top of the same USPAP foundation. See:
- ASA — American Society of Appraisers — multidisciplinary; offers AM and ASA designations across personal property, real property, business valuation, and other tracks.
- AAA — Appraisers Association of America — specialist focus on fine and decorative art; offers AM-AAA and CM-AAA designations.
- ISA — International Society of Appraisers — personal-property focus with antiques, fine art, and gems & jewelry tracks; offers ISA AM and ISA CAPP.
Certified Appraisers Guild of America.
For current course offerings, exam schedules, fees, the Code of Ethics, and the public list of Certified Members, visit the official site.
cagaappraisers.comIf you are considering CAGA certification yourself, the organization publishes its training schedule and certification examination dates on its public site.