The Appraisal Foundation

The Appraisal Foundation is a nonprofit organization responsible for appraisal standards and appraiser qualifications in the United States. It was founded in 1987 and is based in Washington, D.C.

Two boards do most of the work. The Appraisal Standards Board writes and updates USPAP, and the Appraiser Qualifications Board sets the minimum education and experience that states require before licensing or certifying an appraiser.

Congress gave the foundation this role in 1989, after the savings and loan crisis. It does not publish a square footage method; measuring rules for homes come from ANSI Z765.

Further reading: The Appraisal Foundation on Wikipedia.