Title of Regulation: 18VAC130-30. Appraisal Management Company Regulations (amending 18VAC130-30-30).

Statutory Authority: § 54.1-201 of the Code of Virginia.

Effective Date: January 15, 2020.

Agency Contact: Christine Martine, Executive Director, Real Estate Appraiser Board, 9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 400, Richmond, VA 23233, telephone (804) 367-8552, FAX (866) 826-8863, or email reappraisers@dpor.virginia.gov.

Summary:

The amendment conforms the regulation to federal law by changing the 10% ownership limit to any ownership interest of an appraisal management company by an individual who has had an appraiser license refused, denied, canceled, or revoked, or has surrendered a license in lieu of revocation, in order for the board to deny licensure to the appraisal management company.

18VAC130-30-30. Qualifications for licensure as an appraisal management company.

A. Firms that meet the definition of appraisal management company as defined in § 54.1-2020 of the Code of Virginia shall submit an application on a form prescribed by the board and shall meet the requirements set forth in § 54.1-2021.1 of the Code of Virginia, as well as the additional qualifications of this section.

B. Any firm acting as an appraisal management company as defined in § 54.1-2020 of the Code of Virginia shall hold a license as an appraisal management company. All names under which the appraisal management company conducts business shall be disclosed on the application. The name under which the firm conducts business and holds itself out to the public (i.e., the trade or fictitious name) shall also be disclosed on the application. Firms shall be organized as business entities under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia or otherwise authorized to transact business in Virginia. Firms shall register any trade or fictitious names with the State Corporation Commission or the clerk of the court in the county or jurisdiction where the business is to be conducted in accordance with §§ 59.1-69 through 59.1-76 of the Code of Virginia before submitting an application to the board.

C. The applicant for an appraisal management company license shall disclose the firm's mailing address and the firm's physical address. A post office box is only acceptable as a mailing address when a physical address is also provided.

D. In accordance with § 54.1-204 of the Code of Virginia, each applicant for an appraisal management company license shall have any person who owns 10% or more of the firm and the controlling person of the firm submit to fingerprinting and a background investigation and disclose the following information:

1. All felony convictions.

2. All misdemeanor convictions in any jurisdiction that occurred within five years of the date of application.

3. Any plea of nolo contendere or finding of guilt regardless of adjudication or deferred adjudication shall be considered a conviction for the purposes of this section. The record of conviction certified or authenticated in such form as to be admissible in evidence under the laws of the jurisdiction where convicted shall be admissible as prima facie evidence of such guilt.

E. The applicant for an appraisal management company license, the controlling person, the responsible person, and any person who owns 10% or more of the firm shall be in good standing in Virginia and in every jurisdiction and with every board or administrative body where licensed, certified, or registered, and the board, in its discretion, may deny licensure to any applicant who has been subject to, or whose controlling person or responsible person has been subject to, or any person who owns 10% or more of the firm has been subject to, any form of adverse disciplinary action, including but not limited to (i) reprimand; revocation, suspension, or denial of license; imposition of a monetary penalty; requirement to complete remedial education, or any other corrective action in any jurisdiction or by any board or administrative body or (ii) surrender of a license, a certificate, or registration in connection with any disciplinary action in any jurisdiction prior to obtaining licensure in Virginia.

F. The board shall deny the application for licensure of an applicant for an appraisal management company if any person or entity that owns 10% or more or any part of the appraisal management company has had an appraiser a license to act as an appraiser refused, denied, canceled, surrendered in lieu of revocation, or revoked in Virginia or any jurisdiction.

G. The applicant for an appraisal management company license shall be in compliance with the standards of conduct and practice set forth in Part V (18VAC130-30-120 et seq.) of this chapter at the time of application, while the application is under review by the board, and at all times when the license is in effect.

H. The applicant for an appraisal management company license shall submit evidence of a bond or letter of credit in accordance with § 54.1-2021.1 D of the Code of Virginia. Proof of current bond or letter of credit with the appraisal management company as the named bond holder or letter of credit holder must be submitted to obtain or renew the license. The bond or letter of credit must be in force no later than the effective date of the license and shall remain in effect through the date of expiration of the license. The bond or letter of credit shall include:

1. The principal of the bond or letter of credit;

2. The beneficiary of the bond or letter of credit;

3. The name of the surety or financial institution that issued the bond or letter of credit;

4. The bond or letter of credit number as assigned by the issuer;

5. The dollar amount; and

6. The expiration date or, if self-renewing, the date by which the bond or letter of credit shall be renewed.

I. The firm shall provide the name, address, and contact information for any person or entity that owns 10% or more of the appraisal management company.

J. The firm shall designate a responsible person.