Question:

I am a trainee appraiser and have been working with the same supervising appraiser for some time.  Recently, my supervising appraiser told me that since I was only a trainee, I had no right to access workfiles on appraisals where I provided significant professional assistance.  Is my supervising appraiser correct?  Do trainees have no rights regarding access to workfiles?

Response:

As background, USPAP places workfile retention requirements on the appraiser.  In assignments where more than one appraiser is involved (e.g. a trainee appraiser and a supervising appraiser) each appraiser shares responsibility for complying with the Record Keeping section of the ETHICS RULE.

Supervising appraisers should be aware that all appraisers, including “trainee appraisers,” must maintain access to workfiles for a minimum of five years.  A supervising appraiser must not impede a trainee appraiser’s ability to access workfiles.  Denying access to workfiles is a violation of the ETHICS RULE.

This Rule specifies the personal obligations and responsibilities of the individual appraiser. However, it should also be noted that groups and organizations engaged in appraisal practice share the same ethical obligations.

See Advisory Opinion 31, Assignments Involving More than One Appraiser for further guidance.