CIAO Designation

To obtain a Certified Illinois Assessing Officer Designation, a student must choose one of three educational paths, Option 1, Option 2, or Option 3.

OPTION 1

Students choosing Option 1 must complete the following three courses and two elective courses:

Required Courses:

  • Basic Assessment Practices, Option 1 (IPAI Course)

  • Property Valuation (IPAI Course)

  • Introduction to Mass Appraisal Techniques (IPAI Course)

Elective Courses:

  • Office Administration (IPAI Course)

  • Introduction to Residential Assessment Practices (DOR Course)

  • Introduction to Commercial Assessment Practices (DOR Course)

  • Introduction to Farmland Assessments (DOR Course)

  • Introduction to Sales Ratio Studies (DOR Course)

  • Introduction to Mapping for Assessors (DOR Course)

OPTION 2

Students choosing Option 2 must complete the following two courses:

Required Courses:

  • Basic Assessment Practices, Option 2 (IPAI Course)

  • Assessment and Appraisal Institute (IAAO Course)

Basic Assessment Practices, Option 1 and Basic Assessment Practices, Option 2 are not interchangeable.

OPTION 3

Required Courses:

  • Basic Assessment Practices, Option 1 or 2

  • CIAO Option 3 Qualifying Course (#002-249)

  • Illinois Certified Appraiser License Number

Once a student has completed the necessary courses, they may apply for the CIAO designation by completing the application form and mail it to the IPAI office. Designations are awarded and dated the year the applicants took his/her last qualifying coursework for the designation.