Page "Real estate appraisal" Paragraph 2

One of the best known professional organizations of real estate appraisers in America is the Appraisal Institute ( AI ).

It was formed from the merger of the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and the Society of Real Estate Appraisers.

Founded along with others in the 1930s, the two organizations merged in the 1990s to form the AI.

This group awards two professional designations: SRA, to residential appraisers, and MAI, to commercial appraisers.

The Institute has enacted rigorous regulations regarding the use and display of these designations.

For example, contrary to popular belief, " MAI " does not stand for " Member, Appraisal Institute ".

According to the institute, the letters " do not represent specific words ", and an MAI may not use the words " Member, Appraisal Institute " in lieu of the MAI mark.

The primary motive for this rule is to prevent dilution of the trademark.