California Code, Financial Code - FIN § 22317

On any loan made that is secured by real property, an appraisal fee not to exceed the actual cost of the appraisal may be charged by the licensee if a written appraisal is provided to the licensee by a qualified appraiser.  Only one fee for appraising the same real property may be collected unless the borrower has obtained a new or additional loan and more than one year has elapsed since the prior appraisal.  The fee is not included in charges as defined in this division or in determining the maximum charges that may be made under this article.