475.611  Definitions.--

(1)  As used in this part, the term:

(a)  "Appraisal" or "appraisal services" means the services provided by certified, licensed, or registered appraisers, and includes:

1.  "Appraisal assignment" denotes an engagement for which a person is employed or retained to act, or could be perceived by third parties or the public as acting, as an agent or a disinterested third party in rendering an unbiased analysis, opinion, review, or conclusion relating to the nature, quality, value, or utility of specified interests in, or aspects of, identified real property.

2.  "Analysis assignment" denotes appraisal services that relate to the employer's or client's individual needs or investment objectives and includes specialized marketing, financing, and feasibility studies as well as analyses, opinions, and conclusions given in connection with activities such as real estate brokerage, mortgage banking, or real estate counseling.

(b)  "Appraisal Foundation" or "foundation" means the Appraisal Foundation established on November 20, 1987, as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of Illinois.

(c)  "Appraisal report" means any written or oral analysis, opinion, or conclusion issued by an appraiser relating to the nature, quality, value, or utility of a specified interest in, or aspect of, identified real property, and includes a report communicating an appraisal analysis, opinion, or conclusion of value, regardless of title. However, in order to be recognized in a federally related transaction, an appraisal report must be written.

(d)  "Appraisal subcommittee" means the designees of the heads of the federal financial institutions regulatory agencies established by the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council Act of 1978 (12 U.S.C. ss. 3301 et seq.), as amended.

(e)  "Appraiser" means any person who is a registered real estate appraiser, licensed real estate appraiser, or a certified real estate appraiser. An appraiser renders a professional service and is a professional within the meaning of s. 95.11(4)(a).

(f)  "Board" means the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board established under this section.

(g)  "Certified general appraiser" means a person who is certified by the department as qualified to issue appraisal reports for any type of real property.

(h)  "Certified residential appraiser" means a person who is certified by the department as qualified to issue appraisal reports for residential real property of one to four residential units, without regard to transaction value or complexity, or real property as may be authorized by federal regulation.

(i)  "Department" means the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

(j)  "Federally related transaction" means any real estate-related financial transaction which a federal financial institutions regulatory agency or the Resolution Trust Corporation engages in, contracts for, or regulates, and which requires the services of a state-licensed or state-certified appraiser.

(k)  "Licensed appraiser" means a person who is licensed by the department as qualified to issue appraisal reports for residential real property of one to four residential units or on such real estate or real property as may be authorized by federal regulation.

(l)  "Registered appraiser" means a person who is registered with the department as qualified to perform appraisal services under the supervision of a licensed or certified appraiser.

(m)  "Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice" means the most recent standards approved and adopted by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation.

(2)  Wherever the word "operate" or "operating" appears in this part with respect to a registered appraiser, licensed appraiser, or certified appraiser; in any order, rule, or regulation of the board; in any pleading, indictment, or information under this section; in any court action or proceeding; or in any order or judgment of a court, it shall be deemed to mean the commission of one or more acts described in this section as constituting or defining a registered appraiser, licensed appraiser, or certified appraiser, not including, however, any of the exceptions stated therein. A single act is sufficient to bring a person within the meaning of this section, and each act, if prohibited herein, constitutes a separate offense.

(3)  For the purposes of service on any probable cause panel appointed pursuant to s. 455.225(4), "former board member" includes any person who is a former member of the Appraisal Subcommittee of the Florida Real Estate Commission.