With respect to classification of real estate appraisers in California as independent contractors, Assembly Bill 2257 was signed by the governor on September 4, 2020 and specifically includes appraisers in a professional services exception from the ABC test enacted by AB 5. It is retroactive to January 1, 2020.
If AMCs or appraisal firms utilize an appropriately written contractor agreement, the result of AB 2257 is that it returns California appraisers to the status quo of the law for determining contractor status that existed before AB 5 and the Cal. Supreme Court’s decision in Dynamex. This works well for the AMC business model and for situations where appraisers work occasionally for true appraisal firms as a contractors.
You may download the slides from my March 5, 2021 webinar about the changes created by AB 2257 below.