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Certification Program

RUG Index
Certified Appraiser

RICA designation is the proprietary designation of The RUG Index for appraisers trained on our methodology. Reports prepared by RICA-designated appraisers are prepared under The RUG Index Standard and are formatted to meet documentation requirements commonly requested by insurance carriers and estate courts; acceptance is subject to individual requirements.

Annual renewal · Background verification

Important Disclosure

RICA (Rug Index Certified Appraiser) is a proprietary designation of The RUG Index. It is not affiliated with the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), the International Society of Appraisers (ISA), the Oriental Rug Retailers of America (ORRA), The Appraisal Foundation, or any government licensing or regulatory body. RICA designation indicates that an appraiser has completed training on The RUG Index methodology.

Why Get Certified

What RICA gives you

The RUG Index certification opens doors that no other rug appraisal credential currently can.

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Certified PDF Reports
Issue branded RUG Index appraisal reports with your RICA number. Accepted by insurance carriers, estate attorneys, and financial institutions.
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Insurance Referrals
Get direct referrals from our insurance carrier network. Carriers list RICA appraisers as preferred providers for policy-related appraisals.
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Estate Court Acceptance
RUG Index appraisal reports are formatted for potential use in probate proceedings; admissibility is determined by the court.
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Pricing Database Access
Full access to the RUG Index sold-price database — thousands of documented transactions to support your comparable sales analysis.
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RICA Listing & Badge
Listed in the public RICA directory. Use the RICA badge on your website, business cards, and marketing materials.
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Appraiser Portal Access
Private portal with your grading queue, report history, CE credit tracker, and direct communication with the RUG Index team.
The Process

How to become RICA certified

The process takes 4–8 weeks depending on your existing credentials. Most applicants with prior appraisal experience complete it in under 30 days.

1
Submit Application
Apply online with your professional references, a sample appraisal report, and USPAP or equivalent professional appraisal training if applicable. We review all applications within 5 business days.
2
Complete Training
Online course covering the five-pillar grading formula, value context calculations, report writing standards, and common errors to avoid. Approximately 8 hours.
3
Pass the Exam
80-question exam covering the grading standard, ethics requirements, and report format. Minimum passing score: 75%. Two attempts allowed per application.
4
Submit Practice Report
Submit one complete appraisal report on a rug of your choice using the RUG Index format. Reviewed and scored by our certifying committee.
5
Receive RICA Designation
Upon passing, you receive your RICA number, digital badge, and access to all RICA tools. Annual renewal requires 8 CE credits and a renewal fee.
Investment

Certification pricing

Initial Certification
$595
One-time fee
Full online training course (8 hours)
Certification exam (2 attempts)
Practice report review
RICA number and digital badge
First year of membership included
Appraiser portal access
Pricing database access
Annual Renewal
$195
Per year after first year
8 CE credits per year required
Continued portal and database access
Updated training on standard revisions
RICA directory listing maintained
Insurance carrier referral network
Priority support from RUG Index team
FAQ

Common questions

RICA is an independent credential. Prerequisites are: a minimum of 3 years of Oriental rug evaluation experience; demonstrated knowledge of rug construction, origin identification, condition assessment, and market valuation; and completion of The RUG Index certification process. USPAP training or equivalent professional appraisal education is preferred but not required.
Yes. RICA reports are specifically formatted for insurance use and are accepted by our partner carriers. Reports include the standard value context multipliers and a certified value for each use case.
Most applicants complete the process in 4–6 weeks. The training course takes approximately 8 hours. Exam results are available immediately. Report review takes 5–7 business days.
You have two attempts included with your application fee. If you don't pass on the second attempt, you may reapply after 90 days. A discounted reapplication fee applies.
The RUG Index methodology is available to appraisers internationally. International applicants are welcome to apply.
Ready to get certified?

Applications are reviewed within 5 business days. Start the process today.