Individual Appraiser License

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Practical Applications of Real Estate Appraisal (PAREA)

To meet the experience requirements for the Licensed Residential license level and the Certified Residential license level, license candidates can choose either the traditional supervisor/trainee model or the new PAREA option. Helpful information for appraisers looking for an approved PAREA program is available here.

Minnesota accepts PAREA to the same extent that it is allowed under the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria issued by the Appraiser Qualifications Board.

Trainee Real Property Appraiser

A Trainee Real Property Appraiser’s scope of practice is as defined in Minnesota Statute §82B.093.

1. Complete the required prelicense education. Prelicense course providers can be found on www.pulseportal.com. You can upload your course completion certificates as an attachment during the application process.
   • All education must be completed within the five-year period prior to the date of your application submission and must be electronically uploaded by your provider.
   • Basic Appraisal Principals (30 hours)
   • Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
   • 15-hour National USPAP Course (15 hours)
   • Minnesota Supervisor/Trainee Appraiser Course (6 hours)
2. Submit fingerprints for a criminal history record check. 
3. Obtain a supervisor.
   • You will need the name and license number of your approved supervisor when you apply for your license.
4. Apply for your license on www.pulseportal.com

Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser

A Licensed Real Property Appraiser licensee may perform appraisals for federally related transactions.

1. Complete the required prelicense education. Prelicense course providers can be found on www.pulseportal.com. You can upload the course completion certificates as an attachment during the application process.
   • Basic Appraisal Principals (30 hours)
   • Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
   • 15-hour National USPAP Course (15 hours)
   • Minnesota Supervisor/Trainee Appraiser Course (6 hours)
   • If you hold a valid Trainee Real Property Appraiser license you do not need to repeat the courses listed above.
   • Residential Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use (15 hours)
   • Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach (15 hours)
   • Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches (30 hours)
   • Residential Report Writing and Case Studies (15 hours)
2. Complete the following, as applicable:
   • the Experience Verification Form documenting up to 1,000 hours of licensed appraiser experience in no fewer than 6 months.
   • your certificate of completion for PAREA training. 
   • You can upload the completed document(s) during the application process.
3. Submit fingerprints for a criminal history record check. 
4. Submit the license application on www.pulseportal.com.
5. Pass the required examination (see this page for the required pre-authorization process).

Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser

A Certified Residential Real Property Appraiser licensee may perform appraisals for federally related transactions.

1. Complete the required prelicense education. Prelicense course providers can be found on www.pulseportal.com. You can upload the course completion certificates as an attachment during the application process.
   • Basic Appraisal Principals (30 hours)
   • Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
   • 15-hour National USPAP Course (15 hours)
   • Minnesota Supervisor/Trainee Appraiser Course (6 hours)
     • If you hold a valid Trainee Real Property Appraiser license you do not need to repeat the courses listed above.
   • Residential Appraiser Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use (15 hours)
   • Residential Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach (15 hours)
   • Residential Sales Comparison and Income Approaches (30 hours)
   • Residential Report Writing and Case Studies (15 hours)
     • If you hold a valid Licensed Residential Real Property Appraiser license you do not need to repeat the courses listed above.
   • Statistics, Modeling and Finance (15 hours)
   • Advanced Residential Applications and Case Studies (15 hours)
   • Appraisal Subject Matter Electives (20 hours)
2. In addition to the courses listed above, you must have obtained the college-level education specified in the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria or meet the alternative specified in the Criteria. 
   • You can upload proof of meeting this requirement during the application process.
3. Complete the following, as applicable:
   • the Experience Verification Form documenting up to 1,500 hours of licensed appraiser experience in no fewer than 12 months.
   • your certificate of completion for PAREA training.
   • You can upload the completed document(s) during the application process.
4. Submit fingerprints for a criminal history record check.
5. Submit the license applicationon www.pulseportal.com.
6. Pass the required examination (see this page for the required pre-authorization process)

Certified General Real Property Appraiser

1. Complete the required prelicense education. Prelicense course providers can be found on www.pulseportal.com. You can upload the course completion certificates as an attachment during the application process.
   • Basic Appraisal Principals (30 hours)
   • Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
   • 15-hour National USPAP Course (15 hours)
   • Minnesota Supervisor/Trainee Appraiser Course (6 hours)
     • If you hold a valid Trainee Real Property Appraiser license you do not need to repeat the courses listed above.
     • General Appraiser Market Analysis and Highest and Best Use (30 hours)
     • Statistics, Modeling and Finance (15 hours)
     • General Appraiser Site Valuation and Cost Approach (30 hours)
     • General Appraiser Sales Comparison Approach (30 hours)
     • General Appraiser Income Approach (60 hours)
     • General Appraiser Report Writing and Case Studies (30 hours)
     • Appraisal Subject Matter Electives (30 hours)
2. In addition to the courses listed above, you must meet the college degree requirement specified in the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria. 
   • You can upload proof of meeting this requirement during the application process.
3. Complete the following, as applicable:
   • the Experience Verification Form documenting up to 3000 hours of licensed appraiser experience in no fewer than 18 months (with at least 50 percent, or 1500 hours, in nonresidential appraisal work).
   • your certificate of completion for PAREA training.
   • You can upload the completed document(s) during the application process.
4. Submit fingerprints for a criminal history record check.
5. Submit the license application on www.pulseportal.com.
6. Pass the required examination (see this page for the required pre-authorization process).
7. After your education and experience have been reviewed and approved, you must pass the examination within 24 months.

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1. Complete the license application online at PULSE Portal.
2. You must email your Temporary Practice Appraisal Assignment form documenting the properties to be appraised to the department of Commerce. Please include “Temporary Practice Appraiser Processing” in the subject line of your email.
3. A temporary practice appraiser license is valid for the lesser of (a) the time required to complete the assignment, or (b) 12 months. If more than 12 months is necessary to complete the assignment, a new temporary application and fee is required.
4. A Temporary Practice Appraiser license is only valid for a single appraisal assignment within Minnesota; a single appraisal assignment may include one or more properties under one contract for a single client.

Reactivate an Expired License

Trainee Real Property Appraiser

1. Complete the license application at PULSE Portal. 
   • If your license has been expired for less than 2 years, reactivation requires successful completion of all outstanding continuing education hours that would have been required if the license was in an active status, including the required most recent edition of a 7-hour National USPAP Update Course.
   • If your license has been expired for more than 2 years, you must meet current hourly requirements for experience and pre-license education.

Licensed Residential, Certified Residential, or Certified General Real Property Appraiser

1. Complete a new license application at PULSE Portal.
   • If your license has been expired for less than 2 years, reactivation requires successful completion of all outstanding continuing education hours that would have been required if the license was in an active status, including the required most recent edition of a 7-hour National USPAP Update Course.
   • If your license has been expired for more than 2 years, you must meet current hourly requirements for experience and pre-license education, and must attach original passing results, no more than two years old, for the appropriate level Appraiser examination.