How to Become an Appraiser in Minnesota
Becoming a real estate appraiser offers you a great opportunity to start your own business, create a flexible schedule, and gain control over your earning potential. If you’re already an appraiser, upgrading your license can help you build your existing business and significantly increase your income.
Whether you want to learn how to become an appraiser in Minnesota or advance to a higher license level, McKissock has the appraisal courses you need to reach your goals.
Minnesota Appraiser License: Trainee
How to become an appraiser in Minnesota
The first step on an appraiser’s career journey is becoming a Trainee. As a Trainee Appraiser, you’ll work directly under a Supervisory Appraiser to learn how to complete property valuations and write appraisal reports. To get your Trainee Appraiser license in Minnesota, you will need to meet the state requirements listed below.
To become a Trainee Appraiser in Minnesota, you must:
- Complete 81 hours of required education, including three AQB Basic Qualifying Education courses (75 hours) and the Minnesota Supervisor/Trainee orientation course (6 hours)
- Find a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser willing to act as your Supervisory Appraiser
- Pass a criminal background check
- Apply for your Trainee Appraiser license with the Minnesota Department of Commerce
Important: Verify all steps and requirements with the Minnesota appraisal licensing board. For more information, contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce Licensing Department at 651.539.1599.
Once I have my Trainee license, then what?
Once your Minnesota Appraiser Trainee license has been issued, you can begin working and earning money under your supervisor while logging your required appraisal experience. Meanwhile, you will also need to complete some additional licensing and certification courses and pass the national exam to become a Licensed, Certified Residential, or Certified General Appraiser in Minnesota.
Go to the “Licensed Appraiser,” “Certified Residential,” and “Certified General” tabs at the top of this page to learn the specific requirements for each license level.
Minnesota Trainee Appraiser (81 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
75 QE Hours.
15-hr Nat’l USPAP Update or Equivalent.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hrs.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hrs.
2015 AQB Supervisor/Trainee Course Requirement: Both the Trainee Appraiser and Supervisory Appraiser shall be required to complete a course that, at minimum, complies with the specifications for course content established by the AQB. The course must be completed by the Trainee Appraiser prior to obtaining a Trainee Appraiser credential, and completed by the Supervisory Appraiser prior to supervising a Trainee Appraiser.
Experience: N/A
College Education: N/A
Online Limitations
Roster
Governing Agency
FAQs about how to become an appraiser in Minnesota
What does a Minnesota real estate appraiser do?
A real estate appraiser determines the fair market value of a property. Usually a lender will request this information for a potential buyer or for a homeowner seeking to refinance their mortgage, though appraisers are also needed to provide valuations for things like estate planning, divorce settlement, and tax assessment.
An appraiser completes a valuation by performing a comprehensive assessment of the property, observing the condition of the interior and exterior, noting amenities, lot size, square footage, and other property-specific details. However, the on-site portion is just part of the project. An appraiser also conducts research on the current real estate market and looks at comparable properties in the neighborhood to offer a clear, informed opinion on the value. Once they have their on-site assessment and off-site research complete, they’ll use the information to draft their appraisal report.
How long does it take to become an appraiser in Minnesota?
The first step, becoming a Trainee Appraiser, can be done in as little as a few weeks or a couple of months. At that point, you can begin working and earning money under your supervisor while completing the process to become a fully licensed or certified real estate appraiser. This will take at least an additional 6 months, 12 months, or 18 months to complete—depending on which license level you decide to pursue.
Go to the “Licensed Appraiser,” “Certified Residential,” and “Certified General” tabs at the top of this page to learn the specific requirements for each license level.
To help expedite the process, McKissock offers both livestream courses for interactive learning and self-paced courses that you can access whenever your schedule allows.
Helpful resources:
Minnesota Appraiser License: Licensed
How to become a Licensed Appraiser in Minnesota
In Minnesota, a Licensed Appraiser (sometimes called a home appraiser or Licensed Residential Appraiser) is permitted to appraise:
- Non-complex 1-4 residential units with a transactional value of less than $1 million
- Complex 1-4 residential units with a transaction value less than $400,000
- Vacant or unimproved land for which the highest and best use is for 1-4 family purposes
To become a Licensed Appraiser in Minnesota, you must:
- Complete 156 total hours of required appraisal education (includes the 81 hours to become a Trainee, plus an additional 75 hours)
- Gain 1,000 hours of supervised appraisal experience in no less than 6 months
- Submit your application and fee, along with proof of coursework completion and appraisal experience, to the Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Licensed Residential Appraisers
Important: Verify all steps and requirements with the Minnesota appraisal licensing board. For more information, contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce Licensing Department at 651.539.1599.
Minnesota Licensed Appraiser (156 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 Minnesota
Do I need a college degree to become a Licensed Appraiser in MN?
No. In the state of Minnesota, you do not need any college-level education to obtain the Licensed Appraiser classification.
How much do home appraisers make in Minnesota?
According to Salary.com, the typical salary for residential real estate appraisers in Minnesota ranges from $52,912 to $106,597, with experienced appraisers earning more.1,2 The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the mean annual wage of Minnesota property appraisers and assessors as $83,990.3 Glassdoor gives a much higher number, estimating that Minnesota home appraisers make an average salary of $130,228 per year.4
Factors that influence an appraiser’s income include:
- License level: Trainee, Licensed, Certified Residential, and Certified General Appraisers all have different average salaries, increasing with each license level—Certified General being the highest.
- Location: Appraisers in the Minneapolis metro will likely have a higher income than appraisers in rural or lower cost-of-living areas in the state.
- Experience: Even with the same license level, an appraiser who has been on the job longer tends to make more than one who’s just starting out, because the experienced appraiser may have more connections and has had time to build their business.
Helpful resources:
- Minnesota Licensing Information
- Real Estate Appraiser Exam Prep
- Your Guide to an Appraisal License Upgrade
Sources cited:
- Appraiser (Residential Real Estate) Salary in Minnesota (Salary.com)
- Appraiser Sr. (Residential Real Estate) Salary in Minnesota (Salary.com)
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Property Appraisers and Assessors (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Residential Real Estate Appraiser Salaries in Minnesota (Glassdoor)
Minnesota Appraiser License: Certified Residential
How to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Minnesota
In Minnesota, a Certified Residential Appraiser (also called a home appraiser) is permitted to appraise 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to transaction value or complexity, as well as vacant or unimproved land for which the highest and best use is for 1-4 family purposes. This opens the door to appraising more challenging and complex homes, such as luxury homes and historic homes.
To become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Minnesota, you must:
- Complete 206 total hours of required appraisal education (includes the 81 hours to become a Trainee, plus an additional 125 hours)
- Acquire 1,500 hours of supervised appraisal experience in no less than 12 months
- Submit your application and fee, along with proof of coursework completion and appraisal experience, to the Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified Residential Appraisers
You must also meet one of the following college education requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university
- Associate degree in a focused field of study, such as Business, 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 licensed for a minimum of 5 years and have been in good standing for the past 5 years.
Important: Verify all steps and requirements with the Minnesota appraisal licensing board. For more information, contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce Licensing Department at 651.539.1599.
Minnesota Certified Residential Appraiser (206 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 Minnesota
How much do Certified Residential Appraisers make in MN?
The average salary range for upper-level residential real estate appraisers in Minnesota falls between $73,324 and $106,597, according to Salary.com.1 Glassdoor estimates that Minnesota home appraisers make an average salary of $130,228 per year.2
Certified Residential Appraisers tend to earn more than Licensed Appraisers because they have more advanced training and experience, and because they’re permitted to appraise a wider variety of residential properties. They are allowed to do complex appraisals, luxury home appraisals, and other assignments for which they can charge higher fees.
What are the continuing education requirements for appraisers in MN?
Minnesota licensed and certified real estate appraisers are required to take 30 continuing education (CE) hours every 2 years. This includes a mandatory 7-Hour National USPAP Update course, 2 hours of mandatory education on valuation bias, and 21 hours of elective CE courses.
Helpful resources:
- Minnesota Licensing Information
- Real Estate Appraiser Exam Prep
- Your Guide to an Appraisal License Upgrade
Sources cited:
Minnesota Appraiser License: Certified General
How to become a Certified General Appraiser in Minnesota
In the state of Minnesota, Certified General Appraisers (or commercial appraisers) are permitted to appraise all types of real property, without regard to transaction value or complexity. This includes both residential and commercial properties—such as hotels, shopping malls, office buildings, apartment buildings, industrial facilities, and farmland, to name a few examples.
To become a Certified General Appraiser in Minnesota, you must:
- Complete 306 total hours of required appraisal education (includes the 81 hours to become a Trainee, plus an additional 225 hours)
- Gain 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no fewer than 18 months, including at least 1,500 hours in non-residential properties
- Submit your application and fee, along with proof of coursework completion and appraisal experience, to the Minnesota Department of Commerce
- Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified General Appraisers
You must also hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher in any field of study.
Important: Verify all steps and requirements with the Minnesota appraisal licensing board. For more information, contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce Licensing Department at 651.539.1599.
Minnesota Certified General Appraiser (306 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 Certified General Appraiser in Minnesota
Why become a Certified General Appraiser in MN?
Also known as commercial appraisers, Certified General Appraisers have no limits on their credential, so they can appraise all types of properties. The more types of property you can appraise, the larger you can grow your business and the more you can earn.
How much do commercial appraisers make in Minnesota?
According to Salary.com, the average salary for Minnesota commercial real estate appraisers ranges from $46,643 to $141,105, depending on experience level.1,2 Glassdoor estimates that commercial appraisers in Minnesota make an average salary of $107,553 per year.3
A Certified General Appraiser’s salary can vary widely based on their experience level, location, specialization (e.g., hospitality, commercial/industrial, agricultural), and how many hours they work per week.