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How to Become an Appraiser in Maryland 

An appraisal career offers many benefits, including flexibility, good pay, and diverse work opportunities. Do you want to know how to become a real estate appraiser in Maryland, or how to upgrade your current license? No matter what stage you’re at in your career, McKissock Learning has all the Maryland appraisal courses and resources you need to succeed. 

Downtown Baltiimore city skyline cityscape of Maryland

Maryland Appraiser License: Trainee 

Total Hours Required: 83 hrs
Mandatory Hours: —
Elective Hours: —
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How to become a real estate appraiser in Maryland 

In Maryland, the first step is to get your Appraiser Trainee license. As a Trainee, you’ll work under the supervision of a Certified Supervisory Appraiser for at least 6 months to gain relevant work experience. Your supervisor will guide you as you learn how to inspect properties, analyze market data, and complete appraisal reports.  

Here are the steps to become a Trainee Appraiser in Maryland:  

Step 1: Complete the required education. 

You must pass 83 hours of Maryland trainee appraiser education, which includes three AQB Basic Qualifying Education courses plus two other mandatory courses: 

  • Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours) 
  • Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours) 
  • 15-hour National USPAP Course (15 hours) 
  • Supervisor/Trainee Course for Maryland (4 hours) 
  • Fair Housing, Bias, and Discrimination (4 hours) 

Step 2: Connect with a supervisor. 

You’ll need to find a Certified Supervisory Appraiser and arrange for them to supervise your on-the-job training. To save time, start searching for a supervisor while taking your pre-licensing education courses.  

Step 3: Apply for your Trainee license. 

Apply for your Trainee Appraiser license with the Maryland Commission of Real Estate Appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies, and Home Inspectors. Your application package should include the following: 

  • Original Appraiser Trainee license application 
  • Trainee and Supervising Appraiser verification form 
  • Education completion certificates 
  • Application fee 
  • Fingerprints for background check 

Important: Verify all requirements and instructions with your state licensing board. For more information, contact the Maryland Commission of Real Estate Appraisers at 410.230.6363. 

Once you become a Trainee Appraiser, then what? 

Upon receiving your Trainee license, you can start working and earning money under your Certified Supervisory Appraiser. In addition to logging a specified number of appraisal work hours, you must also complete additional pre-licensing courses and pass a national exam to become a Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, or Certified General Real Estate Appraiser in Maryland. 

Once you are fully licensed or certified, you can begin working on your own as an independent appraiser. Many appraisers choose to work for themselves. However, you can also seek a salaried position at a large appraisal firm, bank, or government agency. 

Go to the “Licensed,” “Certified Residential,” and “Certified General” tabs at the top of this page to read the minimum requirements for each license level. 

Maryland Trainee Appraiser (83 hours) – AQB recommended course order 

Online Info

Required Education: 
83 Hours.
  Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hours 
  Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hours 
  National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours
  Supervisor/Trainee Course for Maryland – 4 hours
  Fair Housing, Bias, and Discrimination – 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

No online limitations.

Roster

Roster Required: yes

Governing Agency

Maryland State Commission of Real Estate Appraisers
Website: http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/reahi/
Phone: 4102306165
Fax: 4103336314
Address: 500 North Calvert Street, Room 302, Baltimore, MD 21202
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FAQs about how to become an appraiser in Maryland 

How much does it cost to become a real estate appraiser in Maryland? 

It costs about $2,700 to $3,400 to become a licensed or certified real estate appraiser in Maryland. Here’s a breakdown of the estimated costs involved: 

How long does it take to become an appraiser in Maryland? 

The first step—becoming an Appraiser Trainee—can be done in as little as a few weeks. Then, you must work under a Certified Supervisory Appraiser (as a paid Appraiser Trainee) for at least 6–18 months, depending on which license level you want to attain.  

How much do Trainee Appraisers make? 

The nationwide average annual income for Trainee Appraisers is $53,218, according to McKissock’s 2023 Appraisal Salary Guide. Once you become a fully licensed or certified appraiser, you can expect to earn a higher salary. 

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