How Do I Verify My Experience?

A detailed log which describes the appraisal experience claimed, including address, property type, number of hours and the date the appraisal or work was completed must be submitted with your application. You may use the Experience Log Form (LAP-310) available from the Forms and Publications page, or you may develop your own log form, as long as it presents all of the required information in a similar format. Also needed for review is one representative appraisal from every 500 hours of experience, up to a total of four appraisals. The reports must show experience in all three approaches to value. The Department may request copies of any report listed on the log.

Experience must conform to requirements found in MCL 339.2613(b) (State Licensed Real Estate Appraisers), MCL 339.2614(a) (Certified Residential Real Estate Appraisers), MCL 339.2615(b)and MCL 339.2621 (Certified General Real Estate Appraisers). Separate logs and samples for different types of appraisal experience should be submitted. Further clarification of experience requirements may be found in board rules 201 - 207.

If experience cannot be documented with reports or samples, applicants should attach a detailed, notarized affidavit from the supervisor. The affidavit should follow the requirements of Rule 339.23203(c). Experience gained by unlicensed "trainees," working in an appraisal office after January 1, 1992, will not be recognized for credit toward licensure.

When Does Review Appraisal Or Assessing Qualify As Appraisal Experience?

Review appraisal experience qualifies when the function actually performed by the individual meets the following criteria:

• The reviewer has the ability under USPAP Rule 3-1(f) to express an opinion of value.
• The reviewer is required to provide certification in accordance with USPAP Rule 3-2(e).
• The review is otherwise in accordance with the USPAP.
• The reviewer is licensed as an appraiser, and is qualified to perform the type of appraisal he or she has reviewed, unless the reviewer is performing in the capacity of an assistant and so acknowledged, or is properly exempt from licensure.

Experience credit should be awarded to ad valorem tax appraisers who demonstrate that they (1) use techniques to value properties similar to those used by appraisers and (2) effectively use the appraisal process.

Components of the mass appraisal process that should be given credit are highest and best use analysis, model specifications (developing the model), and model calibration (developing adjustments to the model). Other components of the mass appraisal process, by themselves, should not be eligible for experience credit. Mass appraisal experience must be performed in accordance with Standard Rule 6 of USPAP.