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How to Become an Appraiser in North Dakota 

There are many reasons to choose a career in real estate appraisal, like the opportunity to have a flexible schedule, earn a good living, and do challenging work.  

Do you want to know how to become an appraiser in North Dakota, or how to upgrade your current credential? McKissock Learning has all the North Dakota appraisal courses you need to build a thriving career. 

Aerial shot of Dickinson, a city in on the Great Plains in Stark County, North Dakota

North Dakota Appraiser License: Apprentice

Total Hours Required: 79 hrs
Mandatory Hours:
Elective Hours:

How to become an appraiser in North Dakota 

Your path to becoming a real estate appraiser begins at the trainee level. In North Dakota, trainee appraisers are called Apprentices. As an Apprentice, you’ll work under a Supervisor Appraiser to gain essential work experience. You will learn how to inspect properties, develop a professional opinion of value, and communicate your findings in a written appraisal report. 

Follow these steps to become an Apprentice Appraiser in North Dakota:  

Step 1: Complete the required education. 

You’ll need to pass 79 hours of North Dakota pre-licensing education, including 75 hours of AQB Basic Qualifying Education courses and a 4-hour Supervisor/Trainee course: 

  • Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours) 
  • Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours) 
  • 15-Hour National USPAP Course or equivalent (15 hours) 
  • Supervisor/Trainee Course for North Dakota (4 hours) 

Prerequisites: You must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. 

Step 2: Connect with a Supervisor. 

You must find a certified appraiser who will agree to act as your Supervisory Appraiser during your apprenticeship. You can start looking for a supervisor while completing the required courses in Step 1. 

Step 3: Complete the ND Rules/Statute Exam. 

Additionally, you’ll need to complete the North Dakota Supervisory/Apprentice Rules/Statue Examination. This is an open-book exam covering NDCC 43-23.3 (ND Appraiser Statute) and ND Administrative Code Title 101 (ND Rules & Regulations). 

Step 4: Apply to be an Apprentice. 

Lastly, apply to become an Apprentice Appraiser in North Dakota by submitting the following to the ND Appraiser Board: 

  • Application form (completed and notarized) 
  • Proof of high school diploma or GED (official transcript) 
  • Apprentice Appraiser Education Tracking Form 
  • Supervisory/Apprentice Registration Form 
  • Fingerprints for criminal background check 
  • Application fee 

Important: Double-check all steps and requirements with your state board. Contact the North Dakota Real Estate Appraiser Qualifications and Ethics Board at 701.222.1051 for more information. 

After I become an Apprentice Appraiser, what’s next? 

After your Apprentice Appraiser application has been approved by the Board, you can start working as a paid apprentice under your supervisor. You will need to work under direct supervision for at least 6 months and log a specified number of experience hours.  

Meanwhile, you’ll also need to complete additional licensing and certification courses and pass a national examination to become a licensed or certified real property appraiser in North Dakota. 

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

North Dakota Trainee Appraiser (79 hours) –  AQB recommended course order 

Online Info

Required Education: 
79 Hours.
Basic Appraisal Principles – 30 hrs.
Basic Appraisal Procedures – 30 hrs.
National USPAP Course or Equivalent – 15 hours 
Supervisor/Trainee Course – 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

North Dakota Real Estate Appraiser Qualifications & Ethics Board
Phone: 7012221051
Fax: 7012228083
Address: PO Box 1336, Bismarck, ND 58502

FAQs about how to become an appraiser in North Dakota 

How old do you have to be to become an appraiser in North Dakota? 

You must be at least 18 years old to become an apprentice, licensed, or certified real property appraiser in North Dakota. Additionally, you must have a high school education or equivalent and submit to a criminal history records check. 

Which North Dakota appraisal license requires the least schooling? 

The Licensed Appraiser credential requires the least amount of education and training. You do not need any college-level education to become a Licensed Real Property Appraiser in North Dakota. You only need a high school diploma or equivalent. 

Also, the number of appraisal qualifying education hours and work experience hours needed for this license is lower compared to the other two classifications, Certified Residential and Certified General.  

Go to the “Licensed” tab at the top of this page for more info. 

How long does it take to become an appraiser in North Dakota? 

It’s possible to complete the first step, becoming an Apprentice Appraiser (sometimes called a Trainee Appraiser), in just a few weeks. The full process to become a licensed or certified real property appraiser in North Dakota can be done in a little over 6 months, 12 months, or 18 months—depending on which credential you wish to obtain. 

Go to the “Licensed,” “Certified Residential,” and “Certified General” tabs at the top of this page to see the requirements for each credential. 

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