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How to become a real estate appraiser in Michigan. 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
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73% of data points are verified against official sources. 12 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
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 appraise only those properties that the supervisory appraiser is permitted to appraise. Must work under direct supervision at all times.
Degree: No college degree required
Scope: Non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction value up to $1,000,000. Complex 1-4 unit residential properties up to $250,000. Non-residential properties with transaction value up to $250,000.
Degree: Associate degree or higher from an accredited institution, or equivalent as determined by AQB
Scope: All 1-4 unit residential properties regardless of value or complexity. Non-residential properties with transaction value up to $250,000.
Degree: Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution
Scope: All types of real property regardless of value or complexity, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties.
Online courses: Allowed
Trainees gain experience under supervision — no experience required to become a trainee
No exam required at this level
Must work under a certified supervisory appraiser. Supervisor must directly supervise trainee on each appraisal assignment. Supervisor must review and sign all trainee reports.
Max trainees per supervisor: 3
Must hold a certified license (Certified Residential or Certified General) in good standing. Must complete a Supervisory Appraiser/Trainee Appraiser course.
May appraise only those properties that the supervisory appraiser is permitted to appraise. Must work under direct supervision at all times.
Online courses: Allowed
1,000 hours of appraisal experience obtained over a minimum of 6 months.
Exam: Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam — Licensed Residential
Provider: Prometric or PSI
Fee: $100
No college degree required
AQB does not require a degree at this level
Non-complex 1-4 unit residential properties with transaction value up to $1,000,000. Complex 1-4 unit residential properties up to $250,000. Non-residential properties with transaction value up to $250,000.
Online courses: Allowed
1,500 hours of appraisal experience obtained over a minimum of 12 months.
Exam: Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam — Certified Residential
Provider: Prometric or PSI
Fee: $100
Associate degree or higher from an accredited institution, or equivalent as determined by AQB
Michigan follows AQB minimum: Associate degree for Certified Residential
All 1-4 unit residential properties regardless of value or complexity. Non-residential properties with transaction value up to $250,000.
Online courses: Allowed
1,500 hours must be in non-residential appraisal work
3,000 hours of appraisal experience obtained over a minimum of 18 months, with at least 1,500 hours in non-residential appraisal work.
Exam: Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam — Certified General
Provider: Prometric or PSI
Fee: $100
Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution
Michigan follows AQB minimum: Bachelor's degree for Certified General
All types of real property regardless of value or complexity, including commercial, industrial, agricultural, and residential properties.
Minimum Age
18 years old
Background Check
Background check required as part of the application process.
Fingerprinting
Not required
USPAP Requirement
15-hour National USPAP Course required for initial licensing. 7-hour USPAP Update Course required every 2 years for renewal.
| Tier | Application | Exam | Background | Registry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trainee | $200 | — | $50–$75 | — |
| Licensed Residential | $200 | $100 | — | $40 |
| Certified Residential | $200 | $100 | — | $40 |
| Certified General | $200 | $100 | — | $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 required qualifying education (75-300 hours depending on tier)
Submit application to the Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers (LARA) with required fees
Complete background check
Gain required experience hours under a certified supervisory appraiser
Pass the national Uniform Licensing & Certification Exam
Receive license and register on ASC National Registry
CE Hours Per Cycle
28 hours
(AQB minimum: 28 hrs)
Renewal Cycle
2 years
USPAP Update
7-Hour USPAP Update required each cycle
Renewal Fee
$200
28 hours of continuing education every 2 years, including the 7-hour USPAP Update course. Michigan follows the AQB minimum CE requirements.
Michigan allows out-of-state appraisers to practice via temporary practice permits. Appraisers must hold a valid credential in their home state.
Temporary practice: Temporary Practice Permits are available for out-of-state appraisers who hold a valid license or certification in their home state.
Important: Federal Requirement for Appraisers
All state-licensed and state-certified appraisers who perform appraisals in connection with federally related transactions must be listed on the ASC National Registry.
Unique to Michigan
Michigan follows AQB minimums for all tiers. The state's diverse real estate market includes urban properties in the Detroit and Grand Rapids metro areas, waterfront properties along the Great Lakes, and vacation homes in Northern Michigan. The varied property types provide appraisers with broad experience opportunities.
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in Michigan.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#17 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
$52,760
25th percentile
Median
$70,520
+8% vs. national avg ($65,420)Experienced
$84,120
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
1,920 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+27% salary growth potential
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Real Estate Appraiser
$70,520
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
Pre-licensing education (40-180 hours) + state exam
$55,600
2-3 years experience + additional education + broker exam
$58,640
You are here
Real Estate Appraiser
AQB courses + supervised experience (varies by tier)
$70,520
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.
Source: Michigan State Board of Real Estate Appraisers (under LARA) — Licensing Requirements
4–8 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: Michigan State Board of Real Estate Appraisers (under LARA) — Licensing Requirements
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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 Michigan real estate agent requirements →