Final answer:
Professional appraiser organizations award credentials to their members, which are a sign of expertise and adherence to industry standards after meeting certain requirements.
Step-by-step explanation:
Professional appraiser organizations award credentials to their members. After completing education and experience requirements, and often a comprehensive examination, appraisers can earn professional credentials. Designations from such organizations signify a level of expertise and adherence to industry standards. Licenses and certifications are typically granted by governmental agencies, while designations and credentials are given by professional organizations.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is (C) Credentials, though the other options might be technically correct in a broader context since appraisers could receive designations and may need to be licensed or certified to practice professionally. To clarify, designations are titles awarded by professional societies, credentials signify that an individual has met certain professional standards, and licenses and certifications are official recognitions by government or regulatory agencies that an individual is qualified to perform certain work.