(a) Authority. The ASC was established on August 9, 1989, pursuant to title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989, as amended (“FIRREA”), 12 U.S.C. 3331 and 3310 through 3351. title XI is intended “to provide that Federal financial and public policy interests in real estate related transactions will be protected by requiring that real estate appraisals utilized in connection with federally related transactions are performed in writing, in accordance with uniform standards, by individuals whose competency has been demonstrated and whose professional conduct will be subject to effective supervision.” 12 U.S.C. 3331.

(b) Functions. The ASC's statutory functions are generally set out in 12 U.S.C. 3332. In summary, the ASC must:

(1) Monitor the requirements established by the States for the certification and licensing of individuals who are qualified to perform appraisals in connection with federally related transactions, including a code of professional responsibility;

(2) Monitor the requirements of the Federal financial institutions regulatory agency and Resolution Trust Corporation with respect to appraisal standards for federally related transactions and determinations as to which federally related transactions require the services of a State certified appraiser and which require the services of a State licensed appraiser;

(3) Monitor and review the practices, procedures, activities and organizational structure of the Appraisal Foundation; and

(4) Maintain a national registry of State certified and licensed appraisers eligible to perform appraisals in federally related transactions.