Based on research and experience, it is argued that the present education and training of valuers through a General Practice division exempting degree course, Assessment of Professional Competence and continuing Professional Development, does not prepare valuers to undertake adequately appraisals of contaminated land by means of an explicit discounted cash-flow approach and that there is no formal device to test that they are competent to do so. Comment is made as to the reasons for these inadequacies. An alternative approach is proposed based on National Vocational Qualifications, delivered through computer-assisted teaching and learning. It is concluded that if such an approach is adopted and allied to the use of information technology and a suitable quality assurance system, then competence can be demonstrated and that as a result appraisals will be both more logical and defensible.Journal abstract. References.