Appraiser group urges review of Tennessee complaint and reviewer process; commission asks for data and to standardize reviewer forms

Kevin McGuigan, speaking during public comment, urged the Tennessee Real Estate Appraiser Commission to reform its complaint-review process, characterizing the current system as overly punitive for appraisers facing frivolous complaints. McGuigan asked the commission to adopt four measures: a filter for clearly frivolous allegations, a more rigorous RFP and selection process for expert reviewers (including higher, market-rate fees), clearer assignment conditions for reviewers and a mentoring option for first-time offenders.

State staff and commission legal counsel responded at length. Staff said the commission’s complaint process is administered through the Department of Commerce and Insurance’s regulatory boards division and that the program already uses an “expert reviewer” model: complaints that allege USPAP or appraisal deficiencies are screened, respondents receive an…