A real estate appraiser determines the market value of a property, providing an objective and unbiased valuation required for mortgage lending, tax assessments, and investment decisions. The work involves analyzing property characteristics, market data, and comparable sales to form a professional opinion of value. Because these valuations are relied upon by financial institutions and the public, the licensing process is strictly governed by state-level regulation. This article details the specific, multi-phase requirements for achieving and maintaining licensure in Maryland.
Understanding the Maryland Regulatory Framework
The licensing and regulation of real estate appraisers in Maryland fall under the purview of the Maryland Real Estate Appraisers and Trainees Commission. This body establishes the educational, experience, and ethical requirements that all practitioners must meet. Maryland recognizes four distinct tiers of appraisal licensure, each granting the holder progressively broader authority in the types of properties they can appraise.
The first tier is the Appraiser Trainee, a non-practicing level requiring supervision for all work performed. Advancement leads to the Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser, the first level allowing independent practice, typically for non-complex residential properties. The two highest classifications are the Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser and the Certified General Real Property Appraiser. These permits the appraisal of complex residential and all types of commercial properties, respectively. Progression through these levels requires successful completion of specific educational hours, documented experience, and passing a national examination.
Phase One: Becoming a Registered Appraiser Trainee
The initial step is to register as an Appraiser Trainee, which is the mandatory starting point for accruing experience hours. This status requires completing foundational coursework and securing a supervisory relationship before applying to the state commission. The Trainee level itself does not require passing a national licensing examination.
Required Qualifying Education Hours
To qualify for the Trainee registration, an applicant must complete 75 tested hours of Commission-approved real estate appraisal courses within the five years prior to application. This coursework must include 30 hours of Basic Appraisal Principles and 30 hours of Basic Appraisal Procedures. A mandatory 15-hour course on the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) is also required, as this forms the ethical and performance framework for the profession. Maryland also requires an additional four-hour Supervisory Appraiser and Appraiser Trainee Mandated Course focused on trainee expectations and responsibilities.
Finding a Supervising Appraiser
The Trainee license requires working under the direct oversight of a Certified Appraiser, holding either a Certified Residential or Certified General classification. The supervising appraiser guides the trainee through inspecting properties, analyzing market data, and preparing appraisal reports. This professional relationship must be documented, as the supervisor is accountable for the trainee’s work and must sign all appraisal reports. Trainees should actively seek a supervisor while completing their initial coursework to ensure a smooth transition into the experience-gathering phase.
Registering with the State Board
Once the qualifying education is complete and a supervising appraiser is secured, the applicant submits their application to the Maryland Real Estate Appraisers and Trainees Commission. The application involves providing proof of course completion and a signed agreement with the supervisor. Applicants are also subject to a background check to ensure they meet the ethical standards required for licensure. Fees are associated with the initial application, and the Trainee status must be maintained throughout the required experience period.
Phase Two: Advancing to Licensed Residential Appraiser
After registering as a Trainee, the next phase involves accumulating experience and completing additional education to qualify for the first independent licensure level. The Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser classification allows the practitioner to appraise non-complex residential properties of one to four units. To advance, the applicant must complete a total of 150 hours of approved qualifying education, requiring 75 additional hours beyond the Trainee coursework.
The experience requirement for this level is a minimum of 1,000 hours of acceptable appraisal work, accrued over a period of at least six months under a certified supervisor. This work must be logged and submitted for review to the Commission to verify compliance with state standards. Upon meeting both the education and experience requirements, the applicant is eligible to take the National Uniform Licensing & Certification Examination for Licensed Residential Appraisers. Passing this exam results in the Commission granting the first level of independent licensure.
Phase Three: Achieving Certified Status (Residential and General)
Achieving Certified status represents the highest professional tiers in the appraisal field, offering the broadest scope of practice. Maryland provides two distinct Certified classifications, each with progressively rigorous education and experience requirements.
The Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser classification allows for the appraisal of complex residential properties, including those with higher values or unique characteristics. To qualify, an applicant must complete a total of 200 hours of approved qualifying education. The experience requirement is 1,500 hours of acceptable appraisal work accrued over a minimum period of one calendar year. Applicants must also meet a higher education requirement, which can be satisfied by possessing a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree in a specified field (like real estate or finance), or by completing 30 semester hours of college-level courses.
The Certified General Real Property Appraiser represents the highest level of qualification, authorizing the appraisal of all types of real property, including complex commercial, industrial, and residential properties. This level mandates the completion of 300 hours of Commission-approved qualifying education. The experience requirement is the most stringent, demanding 3,000 hours of appraisal work accrued over a minimum of 18 months. At least 1,500 of those hours must be dedicated to non-residential real property appraisals. A bachelor’s degree or higher is a mandatory educational requirement for the Certified General classification.
Maintaining Your Maryland Appraiser License
Once licensure or certification is achieved, the appraiser must adhere to ongoing requirements to keep their license current and active. Licenses in Maryland typically operate on a three-year renewal cycle. During each 36-month cycle, all licensed and certified appraisers must complete a minimum of 42 hours of appraisal-related continuing education (CE).
A mandatory component of the continuing education is the completion of the 7-Hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Update Course, which must be taken every two years. Appraisers must also complete a minimum of three hours of education related to racial discrimination and implicit bias during the three-year license cycle. The Maryland Commission limits the amount of credit that can be earned in a single day, typically allowing no more than eight hours of continuing education per calendar day.