How to Become a Real Estate Appraiser

1. First, check with your state's licensing board to see how you can obtain a 'trainee' license (see below for a link to your state's licensing board.) Find out the list of classes you must take to get to this first step. Then find where local or on-line schools are that give classes for your trainee license. It is possible to begin getting appraisal experience before getting a license in some states; California is one of them.
2. Next, work towards obtaing your trainee license. This is usually done by taking classes and passing a test, and/or having some experience in appraisal work. (Each state has their own criteria in obtaining this license - check with them).
3. After getting your trainee license, find an appraiser who can be your mentor. You'll need a 'supervising' appraiser to teach you the tricks of the trade and to help you with your experience hours that you'll need to complete. You may need two or more 'supervising' appraisers to help you on your journey. Work with a supervising appraiser who lives near you, as you'll have to spend time with this person in actual 'hands on' experience. Finding a supervising appraiser to help you will be the toughest part of the job, but it will be worth it. You'll need a supervisor though to sign all of your work as a trainee. You can also find a supervising appraiser before getting your trainee license, like a friend or relative who is already a working appraiser.
4. Get a trainee job at a real estate appraiser's office. This is one of the best ways to see if you really like appraising and to find out what appraising is all about.
5. Get a trainee position at a bank. Banks and savings and loans of all sizes hire trainee appraisers who have obtained their trainee licenses right off the street. Its a great way to get paid and a get education at the same time.
6. Network. Do what you can to work with or for other older and experienced appraisers in your area. Give them an incentive to hire you.
7. Find a loan broker you can work with to obtain work. Since most of our work is for a bank loan, find the people giving the loans and talk to them. A good relationship with a loan broker will go a long way.
8. As a trainee, your pay will be minimal until you obtain your normal license. It may take many months, but hang in there !
9. Get your real estate sales license even if you do not intend to work in sales. Your sales license may be needed to obtain MLS data for your appraisers, and it can't hurt.