Course Descriptions

Property Tax Administration

The 48-hour Property Tax Administration (PTA) course is divided into two parts.

Part 1 (24 hours) covers New Jersey government and the statutory basis of assessing, including administration of local government, public records, necessary equipment, deductions, and the assessor's calendar.

Part 2 (24 hours) covers valuation methods and applications, including three approaches to value, equalization, the appeals process, exemptions, abatements, farmland valuation and rollback, and reassessment/revaluation. Prerequisite: Part 1.

real property appraisal 1

This course covers the fundamentals of real property appraisal including the principles of value, steps in the appraisal process and appraisal terminology.  Land valuation methods and the cost approach to value are the major areas of study, including the use of the NJ Real Property Appraisal Manual’s residential classifications.

IAAO Course 1: Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal

The Rutgers Center for Government Services (CGS) has an agreement with the International Association of Assessing Officials (IAAO) to offer several courses on a certified model basis. IAAO-certified instructors constitute the faculty; IAAO educational staff provide the examinations and are responsible for grading and centralized record retention. CGS administers all other program details. IAAO requires 90% attendance.

The 33-hour Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal course emphasizes the theory and techniques of the cost and sales comparative approaches to value. Students review terminology, basic appraisal and economic principles, general principles of land valuation, the assessment function, and the mass appraisal process. The course includes a review and an exam.

IAAO Course 2: Income Approach to Valuation

The Rutgers Center for Government Services (CGS) has an agreement with the International Association of Assessing Officials (IAAO) to offer several courses on a certified model basis. IAAO-certified instructors constitute the faculty; IAAO educational staff provides the examinations and are responsible for grading and centralized record retention. CGS administers all other program details. IAAO requires 90% attendance.

The 33-hour Income Approach to Valuation covers the theory and techniques of estimating value by the capitalized earnings approach. Material covered includes the selection of capitalization rates, analysis of income and expense in the determination of income to be capitalized, and capitalization methods and techniques. Rental units of comparison, real estate finance, and investment are treated. The course includes a review and an exam. 

Please note: As a course prerequisite, students must satisfactorily complete IAAO Course 1: Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal. This prerequisite cannot be waived.

Review Course - Appraisal and Assessment Administration Course Review

This review course includes an intensive, two-day comprehensive review of the assessment appraisal processes, utilizing the cost, market, and income approaches to value. Prerequisites: PTA 1 and PTA 2, or RPA 1 and RPA 2, or PTA1 and RPA 1 or RPA 2.

County Tax Administration

This 24-hour course expands upon the Property Tax Administration course with an in-depth examination of property tax administered at the county level. The course covers county board organization, the sales ratio program, development of the equalized table and abstract of ratio, a review of exemptions, the tax appeal process, and supervision of assessors.

This course is mandatory for all new tax administrators and is advanced in nature. It is recommended that only students who have successfully completed all other property tax courses, or experienced CTA holders, enroll.

One-Day Semin​ars

As interest warrants, the Rutgers Center for Government Services offers one-day seminars dealing with various problems and the more advanced aspects of assessment administration on a state or regional basis.

Continuing Education

Licensed Certified Tax Assessors (CTAs) can receive Continuing Education Unit (CEU) credit toward license renewal from the New Jersey Division of Taxation and the New Jersey Real Estate Appraisal Board when completing the following courses.

Certificates for each Assessment Administration course are awarded upon satisfactory completion of the class hours, passing the required examinations, and full payment of fees.

Exams

Information About the CTA Exam

For further information about the CTA exam, refer to N.J.S.A. 54:135.25 to 135.34, or contact the Local Property Branch of the New Jersey Division of Taxation at 609-292-7975 or visit the website.

IAAO Credit by Examination

Individuals wishing to challenge an IAAO examination without having taken Fundamentals of Real Property Appraisal (IAAO Course 1) or Income Approach to Valuation (IAAO Course 2), students who withdrew from a course, and students who did not sit for the exam upon completion of a course or who failed an exam upon completion of a course may apply to sit for the exam. If a prerequisite is listed, applicants who have not taken the course are strongly urged to attempt the prerequisite examination. Applications are available from IAOO. For more information, contact IAAO at 800.616.IAAO (4226).

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