Arizona § 32-3605 - Deputy director; duties; powers; immunity

§ 32-3605. Deputy director; duties; powers; immunity

A. The deputy director shall adopt rules in aid or in furtherance of this chapter.

B. The deputy director shall:

1. Adopt standards for appraisal practice that is regulated by this chapter.  The standards at a minimum shall be equivalent to the standards of professional appraisal practice.

2. In prescribing criteria for certification, adopt criteria that at a minimum are equal to the minimum criteria for certification adopted by the appraiser qualifications board.

3. In prescribing criteria for licensing and registration, adopt criteria that at a minimum are equal to the minimum criteria for licensing and registration adopted by the appraiser qualifications board.

4. Further define by rule with respect to state-licensed or state-certified appraisers appropriate and reasonable educational experience, appraisal experience and equivalent experience that meets the statutory requirement of this chapter.

5. Adopt the national examination as approved by the appraiser qualifications board for state-certified appraisers.

6. Adopt the national examination as approved by the appraiser qualifications board for state-licensed appraisers.

7. Establish administrative procedures for:

(a) Processing applications for licenses and certificates, including registration certificates.

(b) Approving or disapproving applications for registration, licensure and certification.

(c) Issuing licenses and certificates, including registration certificates.

8. Define by rule, with respect to registered trainee appraisers and state-licensed and state-certified appraisers, the continuing education requirements for the renewal of licenses or certificates that satisfy the statutory requirements provided in this chapter.

9. Periodically review the requirements for the development and communication of appraisals provided in this chapter and adopt rules explaining and interpreting the requirements.

10. Define and explain by rule each stage and step associated with the administrative procedures for the disciplinary process pursuant to this chapter, including:

(a) Prescribing minimum criteria for accepting a complaint against a registered trainee appraiser or a licensed or certified appraiser.  The deputy director may not consider a complaint for administrative action if the complaint either:

(i) Relates to an appraisal that was completed more than five years before the complaint was submitted to the deputy director or more than two years after final disposition of any judicial proceeding in which the appraisal was an issue, whichever period of time is greater.

(ii) Is filed against a person who is a staff person of the department and the person is a licensed or certified appraiser and the complaint is against the person's license or certificate and relates to the person's performance of duties. This item applies to a contract investigator who is under contract with the department for the performance of an appraisal review as defined by the uniform standards of professional appraisal practice.

(b) Defining the process and procedures used in investigating the allegations of the complaint. The deputy director shall consolidate complaints that are filed within a six-month period of time if the complaints are against the same appraiser, relate to the same appraisal and property and are filed by an entity that is subject to the mandatory reporting provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform and consumer protection act (P.L. 111-203; 124 Stat. 1376). Complaints that are consolidated pursuant to this subdivision must be considered and adjudicated as one complaint.

(c) Defining the process and procedures used in hearings on the complaint, including a description of the rights of the deputy director and any person who is alleged to have committed the violation.

(d) Establishing criteria to be used in determining the appropriate actions for violations.

11. Communicate information that is useful to the public and appraisers relating to actions for violations.

12. Issue decrees of censure, fix periods and terms of probation and suspend and revoke licenses and certificates pursuant to the disciplinary proceedings provided for in section 32-3631.

13. At least monthly transmit to the appraisal subcommittee a listing of all appraisal management companies that have received a state certificate of registration in accordance with this chapter.

14. Investigate and assess potential law or order violations and discipline, suspend, terminate or deny registration renewals of appraisal management companies that violate laws or orders. The deputy director shall report violations of appraisal-related laws or orders and disciplinary and enforcement actions to the appraisal subcommittee.

15. Transmit the national registry fee collected pursuant to section 32-3607 to the appraisal subcommittee.

16. Establish the fees in accordance with section 32-3607.

17. Receive applications for state licenses and certificates.

18. Maintain a registry of the names and addresses of persons who are registered, licensed or certified under this chapter.

19. Retain records and all application materials submitted to the deputy director.

20. Publish on the department's website a current list of supervisory appraisers and registered trainee appraisers.

21. Perform such other functions and duties as may be necessary to carry out this chapter.

C. The deputy director may accept and spend federal monies and grants, gifts, contributions and devises from any public or private source to assist in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.  These monies do not revert to the state general fund at the end of the fiscal year.

D. The deputy director may impose civil penalties pursuant to section 32-3631.