USPAP is the abbreviation for Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

The Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) of The Appraisal Foundation develops, publishes, interprets and amends the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) on behalf of appraisers and users of appraisal services. Because state and federal regulatory agencies and others will use USPAP, the ASB has adopted a publication policy to ensure that everyone is informed of interpretations of or amendments to USPAP in a regular and timely manner.

Origin and History of USPAP

The Appraisal Foundation bases these Standards on the original Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice developed in 1986-87 by the Ad Hoc Committee on Uniform Standards and copyrighted in 1987. Prior to the establishment of the ASB in 1989, USPAP had been adopted by major appraisal organizations in North America and had become recognized as the generally accepted standards of appraisal practice.

At its organizational meeting on January 30, 1989, the ASB unanimously approved and adopted the original USPAP as the initial appraisal standards promulgated by the ASB. USPAP may be altered, amended, interpreted, supplemented, or repealed by the ASB after exposure to the appraisal profession, users of appraisal services, and the public in accordance with established rules of procedure.

The purpose of these Standards is to establish requirements for professional appraisal practice, which includes appraisal, appraisal review, and consulting, as defined. The intent of these Standards is to promote and maintain a high level of public trust in professional appraisal practice.

These Standards are for appraisers and users of appraisal services. To maintain a high level of professional practice, appraisers observe these Standards. However, these Standards do not in themselves establish which individuals or assignments must comply; neither The Appraisal Foundation nor its Appraisal Standards Board is a government entity with the power to make, judge, or enforce law. Individuals comply with these Standards either by choice or by requirement placed upon the, or upon the service they provide, by law, regulation, or agreement with the client or intended users to comply.

It is essential that professional appraisers develop and communicate their analyses, opinions, and conclusions to intended users of their services in a manner that is meaningful and not misleading. This Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) reflects the current standards of the appraisal profession.

The importance of the role of the appraiser places ethical obligations on those who serve in this capacity. These Standards include explanatory Comments and begin with an ETHICS RULE setting forth the requirements for integrity, impartiality, objectivity, independent judgment, and ethical conduct. In addition, these Standards include a COMPETENCY RULE that places an immediate responsibility on the appraiser prior to acceptance of an assignment as well as during the performance of an assignment. DEFINITIONS applicable to these Standards are also included. The Standards contain binding requirements.