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How to Become an Appraiser in South Dakota 

Are you looking to earn or upgrade your real estate appraiser license in South Dakota? No matter where you’re at in your career—whether you’re asking how to become an appraiser in South Dakota or looking to upgrade your current credential—McKissock Learning has the appraisal classes and professional development resources needed to launch and grow a thriving appraisal career. 

Looking down on the western suburbs of Rapid City, South Dakota

South Dakota Appraiser License: Registered Trainee 

Total Hours Required: 79 hrs
Mandatory Hours: —
Elective Hours: —
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How to become an appraiser in South Dakota 

In South Dakota, your path to becoming a real estate appraiser begins as a Registered Trainee Appraiser. As a Trainee, you’ll work under a State-Certified Supervisory Appraiser to complete your required on-the-job training. Your supervisor will oversee your work as you practice evaluating properties, analyzing market data, selecting comparable sales, and developing appraisal reports. 

Here’s how to become a State-Registered Trainee Appraiser in South Dakota:  

Step 1: Complete the required education. 

You’ll need to pass 79 hours of South Dakota appraisal 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) 
  • Training Course for Supervisory Appraisers and State-Registered Trainees (4 hours) 

Step 2: Connect with a Supervisory Appraiser. 

Also, you’ll need to find a State-Certified Supervisory Appraiser who will agree to take you on as a Trainee. To expedite the process, start searching for a supervisor while taking the required pre-licensing courses in Step 1. 

Step 3: Apply to be a Registered Trainee. 

Lastly, apply for your Registered Trainee Appraiser credential by submitting the following to the South Dakota appraiser board: 

  • Application for Registered Trainee Credential (with notarized signature) 
  • Application to Register Supervisory Appraiser/Supervisor Agreement 
  • Copies of Course Certificates 
  • Fingerprints for criminal background check 
  • Application fee 

Important: Verify all licensing requirements with your state regulatory agency. Contact the South Dakota Appraiser Certification Program at 605.773.6193 for more information. 

After I become a Registered Trainee, then what? 

Once your Registered Trainee Appraiser credential has been issued, you can begin to work and earn money under your supervisor. On top of logging your required appraisal work experience, you will also need to complete some additional licensing and certification courses and pass the national exam to become a state-licensed or state-certified appraiser in South Dakota. 

South Dakota Registered 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.
*Training Course for Supervisory Appraisers & Registered Trainee Appraisers – 4 hours.

 

*The state-registered appraiser must attend and successfully complete the Department of Labor & Regulation, Appraiser Certification Program’s approved course entitled: “Training Course for Supervisory Appraisers and State-Registered Appraisers” before becoming licensed/certified. Please note: This is the only course that satisfies this requirement. 


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

South Dakota Dept. of Labor and Regulation
Website: https://dlr.sd.gov/appraisers/default.aspx
Phone: 6057734608
Fax: 6057735405
Address: 217 W. Missouri Ave., Pierre, SD 57501
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FAQs about how to become an appraiser in South Dakota 

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

You can become a Registered Trainee Appraiser in as little as a few weeks. The entire process to become a state-licensed or state-certified appraiser can be done in a little over 6 months, 12 months, or 18 months—depending on which license level you decide to pursue. 

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

Can I work part-time as an appraiser in South Dakota? 

Yes. While most appraisers choose this as their full-time career, you may decide to launch a part-time appraisal career if that schedule works best for you. As a new appraiser, you may choose to keep your existing job while completing your appraisal education and training, then transition to full-time when you’re ready.  

Appraisers often cite the opportunity to have a flexible schedule and be their own boss among the top reasons they enjoy their appraiser career. 

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