How to Become an Appraiser in Wisconsin
A real estate appraisal career offers many advantages, including the opportunity to earn a good living, be your own boss, and do challenging work.
Do you want to know how to become an appraiser in Wisconsin, or how to upgrade your current appraisal license? Wherever you are in your career journey, McKissock Learning offers the appraisal courses and support you need to reach your goals.
Wisconsin Appraiser License: Licensed
How to become an appraiser in Wisconsin
Unlike most states, Wisconsin does not require aspiring appraisers to obtain a “Trainee” or “Apprentice” license before they can begin to acquire work experience.
The process to become an appraiser in Wisconsin involves four basic steps:
- Complete appraisal courses
- Gain work experience
- Apply for licensure or certification
- Pass two exams (state and national)
The specific requirements for each step will vary based on which license level you choose to pursue: Licensed Appraiser, Certified Residential Appraiser, or Certified General Appraiser.
Here, we explain how to become a Licensed Appraiser. Go to the “Certified Residential” or “Certified General” tabs at the top of this page to learn how to obtain those credentials.
How to become a Licensed Appraiser
In Wisconsin, Licensed Appraisers (also called Licensed Residential Appraisers or home appraisers) can appraise complex 1–4 family residential properties having a transaction value up to $400,000, non-complex 1–4 family residential properties having a transaction value up to one million dollars, and commercial real estate having a transaction value up to $500,000.
To become a Licensed Appraiser in Wisconsin, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Complete 150 hours of appraisal qualifying education courses
- Complete 1,000 hours of acceptable real property appraisal experience in no fewer than six months
- Pass the state exam on Wisconsin Statutes and Rules
- Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Licensed Residential Appraisers
Apply to sit for the state and national appraiser exams by submitting the following items to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS):
- Application for Real Estate Appraiser License
- Credential fee
- Authorization for criminal history background check
- Photograph
- Fingerprints
- Education completion certificates
- Appraisal Experience Form
- Appraisal Experience Roster
Important: Verify all requirements with the Wisconsin Real Estate Appraisers Board. For more info, contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) at 608.266.2112.
Next steps after submitting your application
After receiving your application for licensure, the DSPS will send you a letter requesting three randomly selected appraisal reports for review. The DSPS will also provide you with information for completing the state examination online. Finally, they will send you a letter of eligibility once you are authorized to sit for the national appraisal exam.
Upon receiving authorization to sit for the state and national appraiser examinations, you will have up to 24 months to take and pass each exam. Scores are valid for 24 months.
Once all education, experience, and exam requirements have been met, you’ll need to pay a federal registry fee as the final step to obtaining your Licensed Appraiser credential.
Wisconsin Licensed Appraiser (150 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
150 QE Hours.
15-hour Nat’l USPAP or Equivalent.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
Residential Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use – 15 hours.
Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach – 15 hours.
Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches – 30 hours.
Residential Report Writing and Case Studies – 15 hours.
Experience: 2,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in not less than 12 months.
College Education: Must have an Associate Degree or higher. In lieu of the required degree, Thirty (30) semester credit hours covering specific subject matter courses may be used.
Online Limitations
Roster
Governing Agency
FAQs about becoming a Licensed Appraiser in Wisconsin
Do I need a college degree to become a Licensed Appraiser in Wisconsin?
No. You do not need any college education to become a Licensed Appraiser in the state of Wisconsin.
How much do home appraisers make in Wisconsin?
According to Salary.com, most residential real estate appraisers in Wisconsin make between $50,851 and $102,467 per year, with experienced appraisers earning more.1,2 The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the mean annual wage of Wisconsin property appraisers and assessors as $81,000.3 Glassdoor gives a much higher number, estimating that Wisconsin home appraisers earn an average yearly salary of $153,910.4
Factors that influence appraisal income include license level, years of experience, location, number of hours worked per week, and advanced skills or professional certifications.
How long does it take to become an appraiser in Wisconsin?
The process to become a licensed or certified appraiser in Wisconsin can be completed in as little as six months (Licensed), 12 months (Certified Residential), or 18 months (Certified General), depending on which license level you choose to pursue.
What are the continuing education requirements for appraisers in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin real estate appraisers are required to take and pass 28 continuing education (CE) hours every two years, including a mandatory 7-Hour National USPAP Update course (or equivalent) and 21 elective hours. All CE courses may be completed online.
Helpful resources
Sources cited
- Appraiser (Residential Real Estate) Salary in Wisconsin (Salary.com)
- Appraiser Sr. (Residential Real Estate) Salary in Wisconsin (Salary.com)
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Property Appraisers and Assessors (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Residential Real Estate Appraiser Salaries in Wisconsin (Glassdoor)
Wisconsin Appraiser License: Certified Residential
How to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Wisconsin
In the state of Wisconsin, Certified Residential Appraisers (also called home appraisers) can appraise 1–4 family residential properties, with no limit to transaction value. They can also appraise commercial properties with a transaction value up to $500,000.
To become a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Wisconsin, you must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Complete 200 hours of appraisal qualifying education
- Complete 1,500 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no fewer than 12 months
- Pass the state exam on Wisconsin Statutes and Rules (initial applicants only)
- Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified Residential Appraisers
- Meet one of the following college education requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- Associate degree from an accredited community college, college, or university in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Real Estate
- 30 semester hours of college credit in specified topics
- 30 semester hours of College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations in specified topics
- Any combination of college credit or CLEP credit that includes all the specified topics
- Exception: No college education is required for Licensed Appraisers who have been credentialed for a minimum of five years and have been in good standing for the past five years.
If you’re not currently credentialed as an appraiser, you’ll need to apply as an initial applicant by submitting the following items to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS):
- Application for Real Estate Appraiser License
- Credential fee
- Authorization for criminal history background check
- Photograph
- Fingerprints
- Education completion certificates
- Appraisal Experience Form
- Appraisal Experience Roster
If you are currently credentialed as an appraiser in Wisconsin and requesting to upgrade, you can apply to upgrade your license by submitting the following items to the DSPS:
- Application for Real Estate Appraiser License
- Credential fee
- Education completion certificates
- Experience documentation
Important: Verify all requirements with the Wisconsin Real Estate Appraisers Board. For more info, contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) at 608.266.2112.
Next steps after submitting your application
After receiving your application for certification, the DSPS will send you a letter requesting three randomly selected appraisal reports for review. The DSPS will also provide you with info for completing the state examination online (if applicable). Finally, they’ll send you a letter of eligibility once you’re authorized to sit for the national appraisal exam.
Upon receiving authorization to sit for the state and/or national examinations, you will have up to 24 months to pass the exam(s). Scores are valid for 24 months.
Once all education, experience, and exam requirements have been met, you’ll need to pay a federal registry fee as the final step to obtaining your Certified Residential Appraiser credential.
Wisconsin Certified Residential Appraiser (200 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
200 QE Hours.
15-hour Nat’l USPAP or Equivalent.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
Residential Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use – 15 hours.
Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach – 15 hours.
Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches – 30 hours.
Residential Report Writing and Case Studies – 15 hours.
Statistics, Modeling and Finance – 15 hours.
Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies – 15 hours.
Appraisal Subject Matter Electives – 20 hours.
Experience: 2,500 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in not less than 24 months.
College Education: Must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Online Limitations
Roster
Governing Agency
FAQs about becoming a Certified Residential Appraiser in Wisconsin
How much do Certified Residential Appraisers make in Wisconsin?
Upper-level residential real estate appraisers in the state of Wisconsin typically make between $70,479 and $102,467, according to Salary.com.1 Glassdoor lists the average salary for Wisconsin residential real estate appraisers as $153,910 per year.2
Certified Residential Appraisers typically earn more than Licensed Appraisers because they have more advanced education and experience. They are allowed to appraise a larger range of property types, including complex properties and luxury homes, for which they can charge higher fees.
Do I need a degree to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Wisconsin?
Not necessarily. If you have been a Licensed Appraiser in good standing for a minimum of 5 years preceding the date of your application, you do not need any college education to upgrade your credential to Certified Residential. If not, you will need to have either a college degree or at least 30 hours of college credits or CLEP exams in specified topics. See above for details.
Helpful resources
- Wisconsin Licensing Information
- Real Estate Appraiser Exam Prep
- Your Guide to an Appraisal License Upgrade
Sources cited
Wisconsin Appraiser License: Certified General
How to become a Certified General Appraiser in Wisconsin
In the state of Wisconsin, a Certified General Appraiser (or commercial appraiser) can appraise 1–4 family residential properties and commercial properties, with no limit to transaction value. This encompasses all types of real property, from strip malls to airports.
To become a Certified General Appraiser in Wisconsin, you must:
- Complete 300 hours of appraisal qualifying education
- Complete 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no fewer than 18 months, including at least 1,500 hours in non-residential appraisal work
- Pass the state exam on Wisconsin Statutes and Rules (initial applicants only)
- Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified General Appraisers
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in any field
If you’re not currently credentialed as an appraiser, you’ll need to apply as an initial applicant by submitting the following items to the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS):
- Application for Real Estate Appraiser License
- Credential fee
- Authorization for criminal history background check
- Photograph
- Fingerprints
- Education completion certificates
- Appraisal Experience Form
- Appraisal Experience Roster
If you are currently credentialed as an appraiser in Wisconsin and requesting to upgrade, you can apply to upgrade your license by submitting the following items to the DSPS:
- Application for Real Estate Appraiser License
- Credential fee
- Education completion certificates
- Experience documentation
Important: Verify all requirements with the Wisconsin Real Estate Appraisers Board. For more info, contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) at 608.266.2112.
Next steps after submitting your application
After receiving your application for certification, the DSPS will send you a letter requesting three randomly selected appraisal reports for review. The DSPS will also provide you with info for completing the state examination online (if applicable). Finally, they’ll send you a letter of eligibility once you’re authorized to sit for the national appraisal exam.
Upon receiving authorization to sit for the state and/or national examinations, you will have up to 24 months to pass the exam(s). Scores are valid for 24 months.
Once all education, experience, and exam requirements have been met, you’ll need to pay a federal registry fee as the final step to obtaining your Certified General Appraiser credential.
Wisconsin Certified General Appraiser (300 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
300 QE Hours.
15-hour Nat’l USPAP or Equivalent.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
General Appraiser Market Analysis & Highest and Best Use – 30 hours.
General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach – 30 hours.
General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach – 30 hours.
General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies – 30 hours.
Statistics, Modeling and Finance – 15 hours.
General Appraiser Income Approach – 60 hours.
Appraisal Subject Matter Electives – 30 hours.
Experience: 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no less than 30 months. A minimum of 1,500 hours of the required experience must be in non-residential appraisal work.
College Education: Must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher.
Online Limitations
Roster
Governing Agency
FAQs about becoming a commercial appraiser in Wisconsin
Do I need a degree to become a Certified General Appraiser in Wisconsin?
Yes. You must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher (in any field) from an accredited college or university to obtain the Certified General Appraiser credential.
How much do commercial appraisers make in Wisconsin?
According to Salary.com, most commercial real estate appraisers in Wisconsin make somewhere between $44,640 and $135,606, depending on experience level.1,2 Glassdoor estimates that commercial appraisers in Wisconsin make an average salary of $111,903 per year.3
Commercial appraisal income can vary significantly due to factors like location, years of experience, number of hours worked per week, and specialty area (e.g., commercial/industrial, agricultural, hospitality).