TEGOVA - Breakthrough on Valuers' Certification
The autumn meeting of The European Group of Valuers (Tegova) was held on 6th November 2004 with some 40 delegates of 26 countries attending.
A few months before the meeting, the Polish Federation of Valuers' Associations tabled a motion seeking a fundamental review of the current European Certification system established by Tegova, 4 years ago.
Certification
The current "approved by Tegova" certification system does not recognise valuers' qualifications if gained through an examination body not accredited under Euro Norm EN 45013. In Poland as well as most other countries including UK (RICS ), to gain a practising certificate approved by Tegova, valuers would need to resit examinations organised by a newly accredited examination body.
Under such circumstances after 4 years, certification approved by Tegova has been implemented in only 3 countries namely Germany (Hypzert), The Czech Republic and Greece.
The Polish motion, which was carried unanimously sought to make the existing Tegova system more flexible through the addition of new routes to certification. Such a system would recognise existing valuer qualifications in various countries provided they meet certain minimum educational requirements.
The consensus view of most delegates was that each valuers' association should implement its own certification system which would be verified by Tegova.
The immediate result of the Polish motion is the setting up of a 12 person certification review committee which will report its findings at the next Tegova general meeting in May 2005.
Why Valuers' Certification?
The move towards valuer certification in Europe arises out of a growing demand amongst clients, particularly banks in Germany, who require the comfort of knowing that the instructed valuer:
1) Has attained a desired level of higher education, professional practice and has been examined in property valuation in accordance with an appropriate curriculum.
2) Continues to practice as a valuer.
3) Is up to date with the law and practice of valuation through a structured programme of "lifelong learning" or "continuous professional development".
Most valuer' qualifications, including those in gained in Poland and by RICS members meet the first condition above. A valuer's certificate, renewable say every 5 years would then satisfy all 3 conditions.