Take this free practice test to see what type of questions are on a real estate appraisal licensing or certification exam. All states require real estate appraisers to be licensed by the state or certified to engage in the appraisal of real estate. There are different levels of practice. A residential appraiser typically is limited to appraising family residences of 1-4 units in size or other property that is under a certain dollar value. A general appraiser can appraise any type or size of real state, both residential and commercial.