How long must an appraiser retain their workfile if they testified in court regarding a property value from an appraisal report?

The correct duration for an appraiser to retain their workfile after testifying in court about a property value from an appraisal report is five years. This requirement aligns with USPAP guidelines, which stipulate that the workfile must be retained for at least five years from the date of the testimony.

This retention period helps ensure that the appraiser has all relevant documentation available in case of post-testimonial inquiry or if the appraisal is called into question later on. The five-year timeframe is designed to provide adequate time for review and potential follow-up on the appraisal process and its outcomes, which is crucial in maintaining accountability and professionalism within the appraisal industry.

Other retention periods, such as one year, two years, or seven years, do not align with USPAP's specific guidelines for retaining workfiles associated with court testimony and thus do not accurately reflect the required compliance for appraisers.