What is an appraiser trainee and what do they do?

An appraiser trainee is the entry-level classification: a person who may appraise properties only under the supervision of a certified appraiser, and only the properties that the supervising appraiser is permitted and competent to appraise. Trainees need 83 hours of qualifying education (effective January 1, 2026) plus a supervisory/trainee course, with no exam and no experience prerequisite. The trainee level is not federally recognized, so trainees cannot independently appraise property for federally related transactions.

An appraiser trainee is an entry-level appraiser registered with the state who gains experience under supervision; Alaska registers trainees as "certified trainees." A trainee documents 83 classroom hours of qualifying education and works under a supervisory appraiser who has been state-certified for at least three years, and each supervisor may supervise no more than three trainees at one time. Trainees do not appear on the federal Appraiser Registry and cannot independently appraise property for federally related transactions.

In North Dakota, the trainee level is called the apprentice appraiser permit, the entry credential that lets you assist a certified appraiser who accepts full responsibility for the appraisal. An apprentice's work is limited to properties the supervising appraiser is permitted and qualified to appraise. No experience is required to enter the level; you need 83 hours of Board-approved qualifying education, a supervisor/apprentice course, an open-book exam on ND law, and registration of a supervisory appraiser before the permit issues.

An appraiser trainee is an entry-level registrant who has completed the required qualifying education and works under a certified appraiser's direct supervision. In Vermont, you must register with the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) before working as a trainee, and your supervisor must hold a Certified Residential or Certified General license in good standing. The supervisor reviews and signs every appraisal the trainee produces and is professionally responsible for the trainee's work.