North Carolina Sen. Jarvis real estate appraisers licensing bill passes House and Senate

Passed bill sponsored by State Sen. Steve Jarvis seeks to update the North Carolina Appraisers Act by revising licensing pathways and qualifications for real estate appraisers, aiming to refine appraisal practice standards, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

In the House, 47 Democrats and 62 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while two Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 18 Democrats and 29 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Jarvis filed the bill in the North Carolina Senate on March 25 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as SB 690, was passed on June 24 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “Modify Licensing Real Est. Appraisers.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends the North Carolina Appraisers Act, revising the licensing and certification procedures for real estate appraisers. It outlines definitions related to appraisal practices, creates pathways for achieving licensure and certification, and addresses qualifications for becoming a registered trainee. For those pursuing licensure as a licensed or certified residential real estate appraiser, it introduces two pathways: the Traditional Supervisor and Trainee Pathway or the Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA) Pathway. The bill stipulates specific requirements for each pathway, such as education, experience, and examination mandates, and includes detailed protocols for submitting appraisal reports. It also includes provisions for nonresident licensure, prohibiting reciprocity agreements based solely on out-of-state licensure. The effective date for these changes is set for Oct. 1, 2025, applicable to new applications from that date onward.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. David W. Craven, Jr. (Republican-29th District), Sen. Steve Jarvis (Republican-30th District), and Sen. Dana Jones (Republican-31st District).

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Jarvis graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.

Jarvis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 30th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Phil Berger.

Under North Carolina law, bills must receive three readings in each chamber. According to the UNC School of Government, once a bill “passes its constitutionally required second reading and moves to its constitutionally required third reading,” additional debate can occur, but the final stage is often treated as a formality. Unless a legislator requests a roll-call, the third reading may be approved by voice vote or unanimous consent without a separate recorded tally.