The State Tax Commission (STC) offers two paths to certification at the MAAO Level. Individuals must hold an MCAO certification for one year prior to beginning the STC online/lecture hybrid program or the Self-Paced courses.
Path 1: State Tax Commission Online/Lecture Hybrid Program:
The next full MAAO program is tentatively scheduled to begin in April of 2027. Please monitor this page for details.
MAAO Program SummarySTC MAAO Application Review Process
Current Students
Pay by Credit Card
Path 2: Self-Paced Program:
MAAO self-paced courses are offered through the State Tax Commission and approved outside organizations. Students must complete seven tested courses and a USPAP Course in order to achieve MAAO Certification. Students must first take Principles of Appraising, then Statistics and then Basic Income before any other courses can be taken. There is no application to begin the Self-Paced Program and there is no timeframe to complete the courses.
Students who take self-paced courses directly from the State Tax Commission will be provided one retake opportunity if they fail the exam.
Students who take self-paced courses from an approved outside organization will not be provided with a retake opportunity if they fail the exam and must retake the course and pass the exam in order to receive course credit.
Any students that would like to confirm their MAAO chapter credit status may reach out to Will Gast via email at GastW@michigan.gov.
Sponsoring an MAAO Course
An organization wishing to sponsor and offer a MAAO course, must complete all documents contained within the MAAO Organization Program Packet (Organization Application, Organization Security Agreement, Instructor Agreement and Agreement to Proctor an Examination) and submit the completed packet to the State Tax Commission.
MAAO Organization Program Packet
Self-Paced Courses:
The State Tax Commission is pleased to announce that they will sponsor the below MAAO Self-Paced Courses in an online/lecture hybrid format at a cost of $250/course. Each course will be limited to 35 students. Individuals must hold a valid MCAO Certification to attend and be actively working toward MAAO Certification.
Individuals who received their MCAO Certification after January 1, 2019, must hold that certification for one year before they can begin self-paced courses. The State Tax Commission has mandated that individuals who begin the MAAO self-paced courses after January 1, 2019, must take the first three courses in order first: Principles of Appraising, Statistics and Basic Income prior to completing any other classes.
Equalization and Data Collection will be offered from November 8, 2026 to January 8, 2027, with the classroom session on Saturday, January 9, 2027 at the Okemos Best Western, Stadium Room. The exam will be held at the same location on January 11, 2027. Applications are due by October 23, 2026.
Form 5833 - Equalization and Data Collection Registration Form
Land Value Determination and ECF's will be offered from January 9, 2027 to February 19, 2027, with the classroom session on Saturday, February 20, 2027 at the Okemos Conference Center. The exam will be held at the same location on February 22, 2027. Applications are due by December 11, 2026.
Form 5781 - Land Value Determination and ECF's Registration Form
Property Tax Administration will be offered from January 10, 2027 to February 12, 2027, with the classroom session on Saturday, February 13, 2027 at the Okemos Best Western, Stadium Room. The exam will be held at the same location on February 16, 2027. Applications are due by December 11, 2026.
Form 5846 - Property Tax Administration Registration Form
Registration can only be made by mail. Registration forms and payments must be received no later than the designated deadline. Attendance at the classroom session, timely and fully completing all online assignments and passing the course exam will fulfill the course requirements to receive credit towards MAAO Certification. More information regarding MAAO Certification can be found on the STC website.
The Tentative schedule for future self-paced classes to begin is:
- USPAP - February, 2027
- Basic Income - February, 2027
- Principles of Appraising - April, 2027
- Equalization and Data Collection - April, 2027
- Introduction to Appraisal Statistics - May, 2027
- Commercial & Industrial Valuation - May, 2027
- Land Value Determination and ECF - July, 2027
- Basic Property Tax Administration - July, 2027
- Basic Income - August, 2027
- USPAP - August, 2027
Questions regarding these classes can be directed to Will Gast via email at GastW@michigan.gov.