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How to become a real estate appraiser in Maine. Trainee: 75 hrs education. Licensed Residential: 150 hrs + 1,000 hrs experience. All four tiers documented with fees, exams, and AQB comparison. Data verified 2026-03-21. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Real Estate Appraiser
Governing Authority
Maine Board of Real Estate Appraisers (under Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation)
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75 hrs
TRAINEE ED.
150 hrs
LICENSED RES. ED.
1,500 hrs
CERT. RES. EXP.
3,000 hrs
CERT. GEN. EXP.
Real estate appraiser licensing follows a tiered path. Each level builds on the previous one with additional education and experience.
Scope: May assist in appraisals under direct supervision only. Cannot independently sign appraisal reports.
Degree: None required
Scope: Appraisal of non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction value under $400,000.
Degree: Bachelor's degree or higher required
Scope: Appraisal of 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to transaction value or complexity.
Degree: Bachelor's degree or higher required
Scope: Appraisal of all types of real property without restriction on value or complexity, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential.
Also referred to as Registered Trainee
Education must be accumulated within five years immediately preceding application for the trainee license.
Online courses: Allowed
No experience required to obtain trainee license. Trainees gain experience under supervision of a Certified Supervisory Appraiser.
No exam required at this level
Must work under direct supervision of a Certified Supervisory Appraiser. Trainee licenses are issued for one year and may be renewed five times.
Max trainees per supervisor: 3
Supervisor must hold Certified Residential or Certified General designation and be approved by the Board as a supervisory appraiser.
May assist in appraisals under direct supervision only. Cannot independently sign appraisal reports.
Online courses: Allowed
1,000 hours of actual appraisal experience completed under supervision over a period of at least 6 months.
Exam: National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam - Licensed Residential
Provider: Pearson VUE
Passing score: 75%
Fee: $125
None required
No college degree required at this level
Appraisal of non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction value under $1,000,000 and complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction value under $400,000.
Online courses: Allowed
1,500 hours of appraisal experience satisfactory to the Board obtained in no fewer than 12 months. Must hold a valid appraiser license (trainee or licensed).
Exam: National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam - Certified Residential
Provider: Pearson VUE
Passing score: 75%
Fee: $125
Bachelor's degree or higher required
Must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Associate degree alternative may be accepted per AQB criteria.
Appraisal of 1-4 unit residential properties without regard to transaction value or complexity.
Online courses: Allowed
1,500 hours must be in non-residential appraisal work
3,000 hours within no fewer than 30 months. At least 50% (1,500 hours) must be in commercial/non-residential appraisal. Must hold valid trainee, licensed, or certified residential license.
Exam: National Uniform Licensing and Certification Exam - Certified General
Provider: Pearson VUE
Passing score: 75%
Fee: $125
Bachelor's degree or higher required
Must be from an accredited college or university
Appraisal of all types of real property without restriction on value or complexity, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Background Check
Criminal record check required for all new applicants. $8 criminal record check fee.
Fingerprinting
Required
USPAP Requirement
15-Hour National USPAP Course required as part of qualifying education. 7-Hour USPAP Update Course required for renewal in even-numbered years.
| Tier | Application | Exam | Background | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee | $410 | — | $8 | — |
| Licensed Residential | $150 | $125 | — | $40 |
| Certified Residential | $150 | $125 | — | $40 |
| Certified General | $150 | $125 | — | $40 |
The National Registry fee ($40/year) is paid to the federal Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC) and applies to all appraisers performing federally-related transactions.
Complete 75 hours of AQB-approved qualifying education within 5 years preceding application
Find a Certified Supervisory Appraiser willing to serve as mentor
Submit trainee application via mail with $380 license fee and $30 application fee
Complete fingerprinting and criminal background check
Obtain Trainee credential and begin accumulating experience under supervision
Complete additional education for desired license/certification level
Pass the National Uniform Licensing/Certification Examination
Submit upgrade application with experience documentation
Register with ASC National Registry upon licensing
CE Hours Per Cycle
28 hours
(AQB minimum: 28 hrs)
Renewal Cycle
2 years (biennial, expires December 31)
USPAP Update
7-Hour USPAP Update required each cycle
Renewal Fee
$150
In odd-year renewals, the 7-hour USPAP Update Course is NOT required. In even-year renewals, the 7-hour USPAP Update Course IS required as part of the 28 hours. Trainee licenses renew annually with 14 hours CE required.
Maine recognizes credentials from other states under FIRREA Title XI. Out-of-state appraisers holding equivalent credentials may apply for Maine licensure. Temporary practice permits available.
Temporary practice: Temporary licensee permits available for out-of-state appraisers.
Important: Federal Requirement for Appraisers
All licensed and certified appraisers performing federally related transactions must be listed on the ASC National Registry.
Unique to Maine
Maine has a notably high initial trainee application cost ($410 combined fee), and trainee licenses are limited to 1-year terms renewable up to 5 times. The state's odd/even year USPAP cycle is unusual -- appraisers only need the 7-hour USPAP update in even-year renewals.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Maine.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#16 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate (SOC 13-2023)
Entry Level
$60,390
25th percentile
Median
$71,100
+9% vs. national avg ($65,420)Experienced
$88,970
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
270 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate" includes both appraisers and assessors. Tax assessors and other non-appraisal roles are included in this figure.
Source: BLS OEWS – Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate (May 2024)
Real Estate Career Ladder+19% salary growth potential
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Real Estate Appraiser
$71,100
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$59,990
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$53,340
You are here
Real Estate Appraiser
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$71,100
Salary data from BLS OEWS May 2024 for this state. Career paths represent common advancement routes — actual progression may vary. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
Estimated total: 60–166 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
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All data verified as of 2026-03-21. Sources consulted:
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Already a licensed real estate agent? Many appraisers start as agents. Compare Maine real estate agent requirements →