The information contained below is designed to provide a summary of the minimum education, experience and examination requirements established by the South Dakota Appraiser Certification Program.
The information can be found on the website. However, we recommend that you contact the Certification Program's office for more detailed information.
Levels of Licensure
- Registered Appraiser
- Licensed Appraiser
- Certified Residential Appraiser
- Certified General Appraiser
Licensure Requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
- Submit proof of completion of the educational requirements for each level of licensure
- Submit proof of completion of the experience requirements for each level of licensure
- For Certified Residential level: Provide proof of satisfactory completion of either a 2 year associates degree or higher, OR a total of 21 semester hours consisting of: English Composition; Principles of Economics, (either Macro or Micro); Finance; Algebra; Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and either Business Law or Real Estate Law
- For Certified General level: Provide proof of satisfactory completion of either a 4 year bachelors degree or higher, OR a total of 30 semester hours consisting of: English Composition; Micro Economics, Macro Economics; Finance; Algebra; Geometry or higher mathematics; Statistics; Computer Science; and either Business Law or Real Estate Law. Also must include any 2 or the following courses: Accounting; Geography; Agricultural Economics; Business Management. Or Real Estate
- Pass the state examination
- Submit application, required documents, and associated fees
Education Requirements:
On February 20, 2004, the Appraiser Qualifications Board of The Appraisal Foundation adopted changes to the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria that went into effect on January 1, 2008. These changes represent the minimum national requirements that each state must implement for individuals applying for a real estate appraiser license or certification as of January 1, 2008. The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria and Interpretations of the Criteria provides in depth information on the new criteria and may be accessed by clicking the hyperlink or is available on The Appraisal Foundation website. The educational hour requirements for SD are:
- 75 hours for the Registered Appraiser which consist of the following courses:
- Basic Appraisal Principles (30 hours)
- Basic Appraisal Procedures (30 hours)
- The 15 Hour National USPAP course or its equivalent (15 hours)
- 150 hours for the Licensed Appraiser which consist of the same 75 hours for Registered Appraiser AND:
- Residential Report Writing and Case Studies (15 hours)
- Residential Market Analysis and Highest & Best Use (15 hours)
- Residential Appraiser Site Valuation & Cost Approach (15 hours)
- Residential Sales Comparison & Income Approach (30 hours)
- 200 hours for the Certified Residential Appraiser
- 300 hours for Certified General Appraiser
Experience Requirements:
- Registered Appraiser - No experience required
- Licensed Appraiser - 1000 hours in no less than 12 months
- Certified Residential Appraiser - 2500 hours in no less than 24 months including at least 1,250 hours of residential experience
- Certified General Appraiser - 3000 hours in no less than 30 months with at least 1500 hours of experience in non-residential appraisals
Continuing Education:
- All South Dakota appraisal certificates, including those on inactive status, expire on September 30 of each year except for those issued after the first week of July. New licenses issued after the first week in July will not expire until September 30 of the following year.
- Each odd numbered year, verification of 28 hours of completed continuing education must also be submitted with the renewal application and fee.
- 7 hours must include the USPAP Update course or its equivalent