Collecting antiques is a hobby that many of us enjoy. Some of us love to simply collect and sell them and to display what we have in our homes. Other people prefer to be the one appraising the pieces so that we will have the opportunity to see and feel priceless pieces that we might not otherwise get a chance to see.
In order to become an antique appraiser you have to take a few courses and have hands on experience with someone who is licenses. One of the easiest ways to learn is to go through online classes. There are a number of different online courses that you can take through colleges or real estate type schools.
You must complete around 120 hours of schooling and have between 1,800 to 4,500 hours of experience. After you have completed this portion of the course you will have to take an examination through the state board licensing office. When you are done you will be able to appraise and estimate the value of art, furniture, jewelry, and other antiques.
Make sure that the courses you take follow the curriculum set up by the certification of the Foundation for Licenses Appraisers. Each state will have different requirements and guidelines. Contact the office in your state to understand what you need to do and how to find work when you are finished. Some states require a two year college degree.
The courses will teach you about the basics of legal responsibility and the various rights that personal property owners have. Financial training is required and an important aspect of the training. Appraisers need to know how to estimate something without being too far over or under the price. Mistakes like this will force them to pay monetary damages to the client. Error and omission insurance is used in cases like this.