How to Become an Appraiser in Indiana
Becoming a real estate appraiser in Indiana has multiple benefits, including the opportunity to have a flexible schedule, generate a good income, and be the owner of your own business.
Whether you’re looking to earn your initial appraisal license or upgrade to the next level, McKissock Learning has the qualifying education coursework to help you elevate your career on a schedule that works for you.
Indiana Appraiser License: Trainee
How to become an appraiser in Indiana
If your goal is to become a real estate appraiser in Indiana, the first thing you’ll need to do is become an Appraiser Trainee. During your time as a Trainee, you’ll work under the direct supervision of a Certified Supervisory Appraiser who will show you the ropes as you gain practical experience inspecting properties, conducting market research and analysis, and developing appraisal reports.
Here are the steps to become a Real Estate Appraiser Trainee in Indiana:
Step 1: Complete 79 hours of appraiser qualifying education, including the 15-Hour National USPAP Course.
Step 2: Get a Supervisory Appraiser lined up. You’ll need to find someone who is a Certified Residential or Certified General Appraiser in good standing. You’ll both need to fill out the Supervisor Transfer of Appraiser Trainee License form for submission.
Step 3: Complete and submit your background check and application to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Important: Double-check all steps and requirements with the Indiana licensing board. For more information, contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency at 317.232.2960.
Indiana Trainee Appraiser (79 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
Required Education:
79 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
Supervisor/Trainee Course for Indiana – 4 hours
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 Indiana
What does an Indiana real estate appraiser do?
An appraiser provides an estimation of the market value of a property by completing the following tasks to write their appraisal reports:
- Document square footage, quality and condition, and amenities
- Research the local real estate market
- Analyze comparable properties
- Develop a professional opinion of value
Should I get my Indiana appraiser license?
Low start-up costs and the opportunity to build a flexible, stable, and challenging career are great reasons to become a real estate appraiser in Indiana. Even when the real estate market fluctuates, appraisal work can remain steady, as there’s always a need for property valuations for estate planning, divorce settlements, or tax assessments, allowing you to create a successful career that’s buffered from downturns in the housing market.
How long does it take to become a real estate appraiser in Indiana?
It’s possible to complete the first step—becoming a Trainee Appraiser—in as little as a few weeks. However, the timeline to become a Trainee Appraiser in Indiana depends on you—specifically how long it takes to complete the required appraisal education, find a Supervisory Appraiser, and submit your background check and application. Offering both livestream and on-demand, self-paced courses, McKissock makes it easier for you to get your appraisal license on a timeline that works for you!
Once you’ve earned the Real Estate Appraiser Trainee designation, you can begin working and earning wages under your supervisor. In addition to gaining a specified amount of on-the-job appraisal experience, you’ll need to take some licensing and certification courses and pass a national exam to become a Certified Residential or Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in Indiana. That process will take at least 24–30 months to complete.
After that, you’ll be permitted to work independently (without a supervisor). You might choose to start your own appraisal business and work for yourself as an independent fee appraiser. Or you might choose to take a full-time job at a bank, government agency, or large appraisal firm.
Navigate to the “Certified Residential” and “Certified General” tabs at the top of this page to learn the specific requirements for each credential.
Helpful resources:
Indiana Appraiser License: Certified Residential
How to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Indiana
In the state of Indiana, a Certified Residential Appraiser can assess any residential property with 1 to 4 units, without limit to complexity or price, including empty land or land without improvements. However, they are not permitted to appraise land needing subdivision analysis.
Here are the steps to become a Certified Residential Real Estate Appraiser in Indiana:
Step 1: Complete 204 total hours of Indiana appraiser education (including the 79 hours completed to become a Trainee, plus an additional 125 hours).
Step 2: Earn 2,500 hours of approved appraisal experience in no fewer than 24 months.
Step 3: Complete and submit your appraisal license application to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Step 4: Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified Residential Appraisers.
In addition to the above steps, you must also hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Important: Double-check all steps and requirements with the Indiana licensing board. For more information, contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency at 317.232.2960.
Indiana Certified Residential Appraiser (204 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
Required Education:
204 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
Supervisor/Trainee Course for Indiana – 4 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 how to become a Certified Residential Appraiser in Indiana
What is the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam like?
The National Uniform Licensing and Certification Examination for Indiana Certified Residential Appraiser applicants is administered by PSI and will take 4 hours. The exam is comprised of 125 questions, 15 of them being practice questions which won’t count toward your final score. You will need to earn a 75 out of 110 to pass. You can take the exam up to three times.
To increase your chances of passing the appraisal exam the first time, enroll in McKissock’s exam prep program.
How much do home appraisers make in Indiana?
According to Salary.com, the typical salary for residential real estate appraisers in Indiana ranges from $50,049 to $100,840, depending on experience level.1,2 The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the mean annual wage of Indiana property appraisers and assessors as $58,190.3 Glassdoor gives a much higher number, estimating that Indiana home appraisers make an average salary of $129,408 per year.4
The main factors that impact appraisal income include license level, years of experience, location, hours worked per week, and advanced skills or professional certifications.
Helpful resources:
- Indiana Licensing Information
- Real Estate Appraiser Exam Prep
- Your Guide to an Appraisal License Upgrade
Sources cited:
- Appraiser (Residential Real Estate) Salary in Indiana (Salary.com)
- Appraiser Sr. (Residential Real Estate) Salary in Indiana (Salary.com)
- Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Property Appraisers and Assessors (US Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- Residential Real Estate Appraiser Salaries in Indiana (Glassdoor)
Indiana Appraiser License: Certified General
How to become a Certified General Appraiser in Indiana
As an Indiana Certified General Appraiser (or commercial appraiser), you can appraise all types of property—including single-family homes, multi-family properties, vacant land, industrial property, and commercial businesses.
Here are the steps to become a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in Indiana:
Step 1: Complete 304 hours of total required education (including the 79 hours completed to become a Trainee, plus an additional 225 hours).
Step 2: Earn 3,000 hours of acceptable appraisal experience in no fewer than 30 months, including 2,000 hours in non-residential appraisal work.
Step 3: Complete and submit your appraisal license application to the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency.
Step 4: Pass the National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam for Certified General Appraisers.
In addition to the above steps, you must also hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
Important: Double-check all steps and requirements with the Indiana licensing board. For more information, contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency at 317.232.2960.
Indiana Certified General Appraiser (304 hours) – AQB recommended course order
Online Info
Required Education:
304 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours.
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
Supervisor/Trainee Course for Indiana – 4 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 2,000 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 how to become a Certified General Appraiser in Indiana
Do I need a college degree to be a Certified General Appraiser in Indiana?
Yes, you will need a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
How much do Certified General Appraisers make in Indiana?
According to Salary.com, most commercial real estate appraisers in Indiana earn between $43,942 and $133,470, depending on experience level.1,2 Glassdoor lists the average salary of commercial appraisers in Indiana as $114,985 per year.3
Commercial appraisal income can vary widely due to factors like experience level, location, number of hours worked per week, and specialization (e.g., hospitality, commercial/industrial, agricultural).