Who is responsible for determining whether a trainee's appraisal assistance should be disclosed in the report?

The responsibility for determining whether a trainee's appraisal assistance should be disclosed in the report lies with the supervising appraiser. This is because the supervising appraiser is in the best position to evaluate the contributions made by the trainee and assess whether those contributions warrant disclosure according to professional standards and regulatory requirements.

The supervising appraiser has the authority and understanding of the relevant guidelines, such as the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), that govern the disclosure of assistance in appraisal reports. They ensure that the report complies with these standards and regulations while also mentoring the trainee in the professional practices of the industry.

The trainee themselves, while they may have insights into their contributions, lack the broader context and professional judgment required to make this determination independently. The Appraisal Standards Board (ASB) and the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) play critical roles in establishing policies and guidelines, but they do not directly oversee specific appraisal reports or make determinations about individual cases. Therefore, it is ultimately the supervising appraiser who holds the responsibility for such disclosures in the appraisal process.