How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser in Maine: Your
5-Step Guide

How to Become a Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser in Maine

Now let's take a more in-depth look at the steps recommended to really start your appraisal career as a licensed residential appraiser.

1. 1. Obtain Your Maine Trainee Real Property Appraiser License (Recommended)

   NOTE: Your state may accept PAREA or Practicum as an alternative to Trainee license with Trainee/Supervisory model.

   Qualifying Education. Before you become a licensed residential appraiser in Maine, it’s recommended that you complete 75 hours of  Maine appraiser Qualifying Education (QE), broken up as follows:

   • 30 hours of appraisal principles
   • 30 hours of appraisal procedures
   • The 15-hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) course, or an equivalent course

   You’ll also need to complete a 4-hour Training Course for Supervisory and Appraiser trainees.

   Before signing up for the Supervisory and Appraiser trainee training course, you need to find a sponsoring appraiser. This person will act as your mentor through completion of your experience hours (Step 3).

   All Qualifying Education must be approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB). You must complete all Qualifying Education prior to submitting your state appraiser trainee application.

   You must apply for your trainee license via mail along with your $380 license fee and $30 application fee.

2. 2. Complete Your Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser Education

   After becoming a Maine trainee appraiser, it’s time for the next step toward becoming a licensed residential appraiser: 150 total hours of Appraisal Foundation-approved appraiser education. (Please Note: You’ve already satisfied 75 of these course hours through your trainee license – nice work!)

3. 3. Conduct Your Appraisal Work Experience

   Once you’ve finished your education, you must conduct and log at least 1,000 hours of actual appraisal experience. Those 1,000 hours must be completed:

   • Under the supervision of a certified appraiser; and
   • Over a period of at least 6 months.

   To find a sponsoring appraiser, you can search the National Registry of Appraisers appraiser database to find active certified residential and general appraisers who may be open to working with you.

4. 4. Submit Your Application for Maine Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser

   Once you've completed your education and experience, it’s time to apply for your Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser license online. Generally, candidates can expect this process to take up to a month, but it may vary.

   You’ll need to provide proof of your passing exam score, completed education requirements, and completed experience hours. There is a $30 application fee, and a $380 licensing fee.

5. 5. Pass the National Uniform Licensing & Certification Examination

   After the Maine Appraisal Board approves your education and experience, you can take the National Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam. You will receive a candidate handbook and instructions for contacting the testing company to schedule your exam. The Appraisal Foundation publishes tips on the exam structure that can help you prepare. Here’s an overview:

   • The exam is four hours long. The Licensed Residential Examination can take up to four hours to complete.
   • There are 125 questions on the test. The National Uniform Licensing and Certification exam is composed of 125 total questions. Fifteen of these questions are considered practice, and answering those questions wrong does not negatively affect your score.
   • A score of 75 points is passing. Scores for the National Uniform Licensing and Certification exam range between 0 and 110 points. Each question carries an equal weight of 1 point. To pass, you must earn a minimum of 75 points.
   • You can take the test more than once. The Appraisal Foundation allows you to take the test up to three times.

Appraiser Certification Types in Maine

It’s important to understand how Maine classifies real estate appraisers across three separate categories, each with their own qualifications for licensure:

• Trainee Real Property Appraiser
• Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser
• Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser
• Certified General Real Property Appraiser

After receiving your Trainee license, you can “upgrade” to any of the subsequent license levels. Today, we’ll be focusing on how to become a licensed residential appraiser. First, here’s a quick overview of the eligibility requirements for all license levels.

Trainee Real Property Appraiser

Maine, like most states, recommends a pilot program for potential appraisers to begin their path toward becoming fully licensed. Known as an appraiser trainee, this first level of licensure is recommended before you can become fully licensed and start appraising real estate on your own.

Here's a quick overview of everything you’ll need to become a trainee:

Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser

The next level up is the licensed residential appraiser. At this level, you can provide appraisal services in transactions with:

• 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity
• Commercial properties (transaction value < $250,000)

Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser

In Maine, the next level of licensure is the Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser license. Certified residential appraisers may provide appraisal services in transactions with:

• 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to value or complexity