Hello all,
My question is can a trainee do FHA appraisals if thier supervisor is an FHA approved appraiser? Thanks in advance!!

I dont know which state you're in ,but in california you can do whatever your supervisor or mentor can legally do.:)

So what you're saying durite if your mentor is a CG and does commercial you as a trainee can as well?

yes,you can assist your mentor and earn credit towards your 2500 hours of experience.

If it is an FHA report, the trainee may contribute assistance, however, they may not sign the report as only a certified (or licensed) appraiser may complete a report for HUD. Fha requires the approved appraiser to sign on the left. Also they specifically state NO TRAINEES.
The FHA Register lists appraisers who are eligible to
perform FHA single-family appraisals. To conduct an
appraisal for FHA insurance endorsement, the appraiser must
be on the FHA Register.

HUD Handbook 4150.2 (Revised Appendix D) reads in part:

"For FHA appraisals, the only signature permitted is that of the lender selected FHA Roster Appraiser. Supervisory signatures are not permitted."

http://www.hudclips.org/cgi/index.cgi

In California FHA Appraisals can only do done by licensed appraiser's, a trainee can't sign the report.

As far as getting credit for exp. hours for you log it must state in the report that you helped, I don't know if FHA wants a trainee involved.

Good Question?

If I was a trainee I would stay clear of FHA appraisals.

Just my 2 cents.

According to the 8 hour FHA appraising course provided by HUD that I recently attended in Tampa, a licensed appraiser can not peform FHA assignments. Although a trainee can assist and earn credit towards thier certification. But they can not sign the report as FHA does not allow supervisory signatures. I typically address the issue in the additional comments and specify the degree that the trainee participated (as per USPAP). Here in Fla the, state does not have the licensed designation anymore. You are either a trainee, certified res or certified gen.