Appraising classic cars is a fun and exciting career, and it can be the perfect job for you if you’re interested in classic cars and enjoy working with them. But before you get started, there are a few things you need to know. The first thing to know is that every province has its regulations regarding being an appraiser of classic cars. For example, car appraisers need accreditation from the Ontario Automobile Appraisers Association (OAAA) in Ontario. This post will give you an overview of how to become a car appraiser in Ontario, especially if your specialty is classic cars.
In Ontario, classic car appraisers must have accreditations to work in the industry. There are different types of accreditations you can get:
- Certified Appraiser (CA)
- Accredited Appraiser (AA)
If you want to become a certified or accredited appraiser, you will need to apply through the Canadian Classic Car Appraisers Association. You can send an email with your resume and references attached.
Get your education.
You’ll need to get a college degree, and the best degrees for this field are in business, finance, or history. If you’re passionate about cars and want to pursue classic car appraising as a career, consider getting your degree in auto mechanics or engineering, both of which will help you understand how vehicles are made and function. Most car appraisers have degrees from colleges like the University of Toronto or Ryerson University.
An economics background can also be useful when becoming an appraiser because it gives you tools for assessing the true value of things that have tangible worth but no official price tag attached to them, such as antiques and art pieces (which may seem like frivolous hobbies but lie at the heart of the appraisal business).
Choose a specialty.
- Choose a specialty.
- Get certified.
- Get licensed.
Get your paperwork together.
Before applying for jobs, ensure all your paperwork is organized and ready to go. Here are the documents you’ll need:
- A copy of your CV (curriculum vitae) or resume. This should list all relevant skills and experience, the more specific, the better.
- A cover letter explaining why you’re interested in becoming a classic car appraiser and why you’d be good at it. Think about things like what makes you unique? What do you like most about cars? How would this job help you achieve your career goals?
- If possible, create a mock interview and practice answering some questions that could come up during an interview. You can use our sample questions below as a guide:
Ontario requires that you have accreditation to appraise a classic car.
The Ontario government requires you to have accreditation to appraise a classic car. The Ontario government also requires you to have a license, degree, certificate or diploma from an accredited college or university. As long as you meet all of these requirements, you can become an appraiser in Ontario.
Conclusion
While it may seem like a lot of work upfront to become a classic car appraiser in Ontario, you’ll ultimately be rewarded with incredible opportunities and an exciting career!
