The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, more commonly known as USPAP, can be considered the quality control standards applicable for real property, personal property, intangible assets, and business valuation appraisal analysis and reports in various countries around the world.

The goal of USPAP is to promote and maintain a high level of public trust in appraisal practice by establishing requirements for appraisers that include, but are not limited to, Ethics & Confidentiality, Competency, Record Keeping and Scope of Work rules.

Since 2006, USPAP has been updated in a two-year cycle, which begins on January 1 of even numbered years. As a result, it is extremely important that an appraiser is aware of any revisions being made before performing an appraisal.

In Canada, real estate appraisers must adhere to the Canadian Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (CUSPAP). Unfortunately, CUSPAP only includes real estate appraisals and does not address the specific requirements when performing personal property appraisals. As a result, the CSAA requires all members and appraisers to adhere to USPAP when performing appraisals or appraisal services. CSAA members are required to take a USPAP personal property course every two years as a condition of membership.