Certification of Real Property Surveyors and Appraisers

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Status: Completed

 

Full Activity Title: Professional Certification Programs for Property Surveyors and Appraisers

 

Location: Georgia

 

Activity Dates: July, 2007 – November, 2008

 

Source of Financing: USAID Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Support Project

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Project Abstract:

 

Liberal economic reforms carried out in Georgia in the field of licensing of entrepreneurship activities has been one of the most important steps taken towards the diminishing of state regulation. As of today a number of professional activities, including real property survey and appraisal, are not subject to licensing and can be carried out based on self-regulation principle. For self regulation of professional activities creation of private/non-governmental professional institutions is necessary to ensure high professionalism of respective specialist, their certification and  increased confidence of the consumers.

 

Nowadays there are  several hundreds of individual surveyors and appraisers and tens of private companies in Georgia, but most of them are not able to meet the modern standards and ensure high quality of their services. In the conditions of market economy establishment of professional institutions of surveyors and appraisers, as well as their certification is of particular importance.

 

In order to improve the quality of services at the survey and appraisal markets USAID Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Project signed a contract with APLR to elaborate certification programs for surveyors and appraisers acting on the market.

 

Within the scope of the project separate units of surveyors and appraisers and respective working groups including high qualified experts are set up within APLR. These groups work with both surveyors and appraisers and consumers, carry out public opinion survey to pay attention to all stakeholders’ interests, study international practice and get business contacts with international organizations working in mentioned fields, study their membership procedures and apply for membership, provide information to the program participants on modern standards, new methods and technologies, on legislative changes and instructions.

 

Working groups also prepare respective tests including theoretical and practical multiple choice questions and define  evaluation system for applicants for receiving certificates. If deemed necessary, preparation and conduction of special  trainings for target groups is stipulated by the project.

 

Within the frame of the project APLR creates database on individuals and legal entities acting in the field of property survey and appraisal to be placed on a special web page. The  customers are to be able to use on-line mechanism for evaluation of service providers.

 

Participation in certification programs  is voluntary and available for any interested person acting in the survey and appraisal markets. As a result  they get professional certificates confirming their skills and high qualification.

 

Implementation of certification programs for surveyors and appraisers ensures the regulation of chaotic situation on the market, creation of healthy competitive environment, improvement the skills of respective specialists and advancement of modern international standards.