# Title 43 — Occupations and Professions

## Chapter 43-23.3 — Real Estate Appraisers

### § 43-23.3-01. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Agency" means the:
a. Board of governors of the federal reserve system;
b. Consumer financial protection bureau;
c. Farm credit administration;
d. Federal deposit insurance corporation;
e. National credit union administration;
f. Office of the comptroller of the currency; and
g. State financial regulator.
2. "Analysis" means a study of real estate other than estimating value.
3. "Appraisal" means an analysis, opinion, or conclusion relating to the nature, quality,
value, or utility of specified interests in, or aspects of, real estate. An appraisal may be
classified by subject matter into either a valuation or an analysis. The term does not
include an evaluation.
4. "Appraisal assignment" means an engagement for which a person is employed or
retained to act, or would be perceived by the public as acting, as a disinterested party
in rendering an unbiased supportable appraisal.
5. "Appraisal foundation" means the appraisal foundation incorporated as an Illinois
corporation on November 30, 1987.
6. "Appraisal report" means any communication of an appraisal.
7. "Appraisal subcommittee" means the appraisal subcommittee of the federal financial
institutions examination council.
8. "Appraiser" means a person who engages in appraisal activity for valuable
consideration.
9. "Apprentice appraiser" means a person who holds a valid permit as an apprentice
appraiser.
10. "Board" means the North Dakota real estate appraiser qualifications and ethics board.
11. "Certified appraiser" means a person who holds a valid permit as a certified residential
or general appraiser.
12. "Certified general appraiser" means a person who holds a valid permit as a certified
general appraiser.
13. "Certified residential appraiser" means a person who holds a valid permit as a certified
residential appraiser.
14. "Evaluation" means an estimate of the value of real property and real estate made in
accordance with title XI of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and
Enforcement Act of 1989 [Pub. L. 101-73, 103 Stat. 183] and provided to an entity
regulated by an agency for use in a real estate-related financial transaction for which
an appraisal is not required by federal law.
15. "Licensed appraiser" means a person who holds a valid permit as a licensed
appraiser.
16. "Permit" means the document issued by the board, verifying that the person named on
the permit has fulfilled all prerequisites to practice either as an apprentice appraiser, a
licensed appraiser, or a certified appraiser.
17. "Real estate" means an identified parcel or tract of land including improvements, if any.
18. "Real property" means one or more defined interests, benefits, and rights inherent in
the ownership of real estate.
19. "Uniform standards of professional appraisal practice" means standards of appraisal
promulgated by the appraisal standards board of the appraisal foundation as adopted
by the board.
20. "Valuation" means an estimate of the value of real estate or real property.

### § 43-23.3-02. North Dakota real estate appraiser qualifications and ethics board.

1. The governor shall appoint the board. The board must consist of five members. One
member must represent the public; one member must be a representative of the
financial industry; and three members must be appraisers, at least one of which is
experienced in the appraisal of agricultural property.
a. Each appraiser member of the board must be either a licensed or certified
appraiser, but at least two of the appraiser members must be certified appraisers.
b. The governor shall appoint the financial industry representative from a list of
qualified individuals submitted by the North Dakota bankers associations, the
credit union association of the Dakotas, and the North Dakota farm credit system
associations. Each of these entities may submit two names of candidates to the
governor. The public member of the board may not be engaged in the practice of
real estate appraising.
2. The term of each member is five years. A member may not serve more than two
consecutive five-year terms, after which at least two years must pass before the
governor may reappoint that former member to the board. The governor shall appoint
members so the terms of no more than two members expire each year. A member of
the board continues to hold office until the appointment and qualification of a
successor. The governor may remove a board member for cause.
3. Annually the members shall elect a chairman from among the members.
4. At least two of the members who are appraiser members must be present in order for
a quorum to exist.
5. The members are entitled to receive compensation for each day actually engaged in
the service of the board and actual and necessary traveling expenses at the rate
allowed other state officials, paid from the fees collected by the board.
### § 43-23.3-03. Powers and duties of the board.

1. The board, or the board's designated representative, shall:
a. Define apprentice appraiser, licensed appraiser, certified residential appraiser,
and certified general appraiser; determine the type of educational experience,
appraisal experience, and equivalent experience that meet the requirements of
this chapter; establish application procedures; and establish standards for
approval and disapproval of applications for permits.
b. Establish examination specifications for the apprentice and supervisory appraiser
and administer examinations.
c. Approve or disapprove applications for permits, issue permits to practice, and
maintain a registry of the names and addresses of individuals holding permits.
d. Discipline permittees.
e. Hold meetings, hearings, and examinations in places and at times as the board
designates and maintain records of board activities.
f. Adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 28-32, necessary to implement this chapter or
carry out the requirements imposed by federal law.
g. Adopt rules that clearly and concisely establish the standards for approval and
disapproval of applications for permits. The rules must include a requirement that
an application disapproval clearly specify the basis for the disapproval.
h. Keep permittees informed of board activities, including providing notification of
board member terms and any upcoming board vacancy; internet posting of
meeting notices and minutes; and internet posting of proposed and final rule
changes.
2. The board, or the board's designated representative, may:
a. Promote research and conduct studies relative to real estate appraising and
sponsor educational activities.
b. Contract for services necessary to carry out this chapter.
3. The board, or the board's authorized representative, may investigate and gather
evidence concerning alleged violations of the provisions of chapter 43-23.3 or the rules
of the board. Board investigative files are exempt records as defined in subsection 5 of

section 44-04-17.1, but a copy of the investigative file must be provided to a licensee if
a complaint is filed against the licensee by the board.
### § 43-23.3-03.1. Public records exception.

Documents obtained by the board as part of the licensing, investigation, or disciplinary
process which are deemed confidential under the uniform standards of professional appraisal
practices are exempt records as defined in subsection 5 of section 44-04-17.1.
### § 43-23.3-04. Permit required - Exemptions.

1. Except as provided in this section, a person may not directly or indirectly engage in,
advertise, conduct the business of, or act in any capacity as an apprentice, licensed,
or certified appraiser without first obtaining a permit as provided in this chapter.
2. An appraiser that is apprenticed, licensed, or certified in another state may not engage
in, advertise, conduct the business of, or act in any capacity as an appraiser in this
state without first obtaining a temporary permit under section 43-23.3-11 or a permit
under section 43-23.3-04.1.
3. This chapter does not apply to:
a. A licensed real estate broker or salesperson who, in the ordinary course of
business, gives an opinion to a potential seller or third party as to the
recommended listing price of real estate or an opinion to a potential purchaser or
third party as to the recommended purchase price of real estate. However, the
opinion as to the listing price or the purchase price may not be referred to as an
appraisal.
b. A person who, in the ordinary course of business, gives an opinion of the value of
real estate to that person's employer.
c. A person employed by the Bank of North Dakota when providing evaluations or
reviews of appraisals for federally insured depository institutions under federal
financial institution regulatory agency appraisal exemptions.
d. A person, who is not an apprentice, licensed, or certified appraiser, who prepares
or provides an evaluation.
### § 43-23.3-04.1. Issuance of permits to applicants licensed or certified by another state.

The board shall issue a permit to an applicant who is licensed or certified in good standing
by another state if the other state's requirements to be licensed or certified are at least
substantially equivalent to the requirements imposed by this state, and if grounds for denial of
the application under section 43-23.3-18 do not exist. Within sixty days of filing a completed
application, the board shall issue or deny the application and inform the applicant of the
decision.
### § 43-23.3-05. Permit process.

An individual who desires to engage in the practice of real estate appraisal shall apply for a
permit with the board and submit the required fee.
### § 43-23.3-06. Classes of permits.

The board may issue apprentice, license, and certification permits for appraisers.
1. An apprentice appraiser must meet the minimum requirements established by the
board for a permit. An apprentice appraiser may only assist a certified appraiser in the
performance of an appraisal assignment.
2. A licensed appraiser must meet the minimum requirements established by the board
for a permit.
3. A certified residential appraiser must meet the minimum requirements established by
the board for a permit. The board's requirements may not exceed the appraisal
foundation qualification criteria. The board shall review periodically the appraisal
foundation appraisal qualification criteria to ensure the board's rules do not exceed the
appraisal qualification criteria.

4. A certified general appraiser must meet the minimum requirements established by the
board for a permit. The board's requirements may not exceed the appraisal foundation
qualification criteria. The board shall review periodically the appraisal foundation
appraisal qualification criteria to ensure the board's rules do not exceed the appraisal
qualification criteria.
### § 43-23.3-07. Examination requirement.

The board shall issue a permit to practice as a licensed, certified residential, or certified
general appraiser to an individual who has successfully completed the appropriate national
examination as required by the appraisal foundation appraisal qualification board criteria.
### § 43-23.3-08. Appraisal education requirements.

An applicant for a permit as an apprentice, licensed, certified residential, or certified general
appraiser shall successfully complete the education requirements established by the board.
### § 43-23.3-09. Appraisal experience requirements.

The board may issue a permit to practice as a licensed, certified residential, or certified
general appraiser to an individual who possesses the minimum experience requirements
established by the board.
### § 43-23.3-10. Expiration of permit.

Permits expire biennially on December thirty-first. The expiration date of the permit must
appear on the permit and no other notice of its expiration need be given to the permittee.
### § 43-23.3-11. Temporary permit.

1. The board may issue a temporary permit to an applicant who is licensed, or certified in
good standing by another state. The board may deny a temporary permit to an
applicant whose permit, apprenticeship, license, or certification was revoked,
suspended, or otherwise subjected to discipline by any state or jurisdiction.
2. The board may issue a temporary permit to an applicant if the applicant agrees in
writing to abide by this chapter and to submit to the jurisdiction of the board.
3. The board shall issue a temporary permit to an applicant who has complied with this
section. The board may require the applicant to pay a fee. The board shall determine
the amount of the fee and the duration of the temporary permit.
### § 43-23.3-12. Permit renewal.

To renew a permit, the permittee shall apply to the board and pay the required fee. With the
application for renewal, the appraiser shall present evidence of having completed the continuing
education requirements for renewal. The board may adopt rules to allow permits to be assigned
to inactive status. Permits assigned to inactive status are subject to disciplinary action and
activation of an inactive permit may be subject to a denial by the board.
### § 43-23.3-13. Principal place of business.

A permittee shall notify the board of the address of the permittee's place of business. Within
twenty days of a change in the address of the place of business, the permittee shall give written
notification of the change to the board.
### § 43-23.3-14. Permit number displayed with signature.

A permittee shall place the permittee's permit number adjacent to the permittee's signature
on an appraisal report, contract, or other writing used by the permittee in conducting appraisal
activities.
### § 43-23.3-15. Use of designation.

The terms "apprentice appraiser", "licensed appraiser", "certified residential appraiser",
"certified general appraiser", and "certified appraiser" may only be used to refer to an individual

who holds a permit under this chapter and may not be used following or immediately in
connection with the name or signature of any other individual or person or in a manner that
might be interpreted as referring to any other individual or person other than the individual who
holds the permit. This section does not prohibit a licensed or certified appraiser from signing an
appraisal report on behalf of a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, or firm.
### § 43-23.3-16. Action for fee.

No claim for relief may be instituted in any court of this state for compensation for an act
done or service rendered as an apprentice, licensed, or certified appraiser unless the appraiser
held a permit to practice under this chapter at the time of offering to perform the act or service or
procuring a promise to contract for the payment of compensation for a contemplated act or
service as an apprentice, licensed, or certified appraiser.
### § 43-23.3-17. Retention of records.

An apprentice, licensed, or certified appraiser shall comply with the recordkeeping rule as
specified in the uniform standards of professional appraisal practice.
### § 43-23.3-18. Standards of professional appraisal practice - Exception.

An apprentice, licensed, or certified appraiser shall comply with the standards of
professional appraisal practice and ethical rules specified by the uniform standards of
professional appraisal practice and all other standards and ethical requirements adopted by the
appraisal standards board of the appraisal foundation, except as authorized under section
43-23.3-18.1.
### § 43-23.3-18.1. Evaluation by appraiser.

1. An apprentice, licensed, or certified appraiser may provide an evaluation if the
evaluation is permitted by law, regulation, or regulatory guidelines. An evaluation
performed by an appraiser under this section must be conducted in accordance with
federal and state laws and rules, regulatory guidelines, and title XI of the Financial
Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 [Pub. L. 101-73,
103 Stat.183].
2. An evaluation prepared or provided by an appraiser under this section must be
identified conspicuously as an evaluation and not an appraisal.
### § 43-23.3-19. Continuing education.

The board shall adopt rules for the implementation of continuing education requirements to
assure that permit renewal applicants have current knowledge of appraisal theories, practices,
and techniques that provide a high degree of service and protection to the public. The rules
must establish:
1. Policies and procedures for obtaining board approval of courses of instruction.
2. Standards, policies, and procedures to be applied by the board in evaluating an
applicant's claims of equivalency.
3. Standards, monitoring methods, and systems for recording attendance by course
sponsors.
### § 43-23.3-20. Fees.

The board may charge apprentice, licensed, and certified permittees and educational
providers or promoters reasonable fees to help offset costs of operating the board. The board
shall establish the charges by rule.
### § 43-23.3-21. Disposition of fees.

The board, or its designated representative, shall deposit all fees collected by the board in a
separate account. Disbursements from the account may not exceed the moneys credited to it.
The board's designated representative shall review and pay appropriate charges against the
account for services provided to the board.

### § 43-23.3-22. Disciplinary proceedings.

1. The board may deny an application for, refuse to renew, suspend, or revoke a permit,
impose a monetary fine, or issue a letter of reprimand, when the applicant or permittee
has:
a. Procured or attempted to procure a permit by knowingly making a false
statement, submitting false information, refusing to provide complete information
in response to a question in an application for certification, or through fraud or
misrepresentation.
b. Failed to meet the minimum qualifications established under this chapter.
c. Paid money other than provided for by this chapter to any member or employee
of the board to procure a permit.
d. Been convicted, including a conviction based upon a plea of guilty or
nolo contendere, of a felony or of a crime that is substantially related to the
qualifications, functions, and duties of a person developing and communicating
appraisals to others.
e. Performed an act involving dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation with the intent
to benefit substantially that person or another person, or with the intent to injure
substantially another person.
f. Violated any standard for the development or communication of appraisals as
provided in this chapter.
g. Failed or refused without good cause to exercise reasonable diligence in
developing an appraisal, preparing an appraisal report, or communicating an
appraisal.
h. Acted with gross negligence or incompetence in developing an appraisal, in
preparing an appraisal report, or in communicating an appraisal.
i. Willfully violated this chapter or rules of the board.
j. Accepted an appraisal assignment when the employment is contingent upon the
reporting of a predetermined estimate, analysis, or opinion, or if the fee is
contingent upon the opinion, conclusion, or valuation reached, or upon the
consequences resulting from the appraisal assignment.
k. Violated the confidential nature of governmental records to which the person
gained access through employment or engagement as an appraiser by a
governmental agency.
l. Had entry of a civil judgment against the person on grounds of fraud,
misrepresentation, or deceit in the making of an appraisal.
2. In a disciplinary proceeding based upon a civil judgment, the permittee must be
afforded an opportunity to present matters in mitigation and extenuation, but may not
collaterally attack the civil judgment.
3. A signed or unsigned allegation from the public is not a complaint until the board
determines there is reasonable cause to initiate a disciplinary proceeding against one
or more applicants or permittees.
### § 43-23.3-23. Penalties.

A person acting or purporting to act as an apprentice, licensed, or certified appraiser without
holding a permit to practice is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. An appraiser, apprenticed,
licensed, or certified in another state, who engages in, advertises, conducts the business of, or
acts in any capacity as an appraiser without first obtaining a permit is guilty of a class A
misdemeanor. In addition to any other penalty, a person receiving any money or other
compensation in violation of this chapter is subject to a penalty of not less than the amount of
the sum of money received and not more than three times the sum in the discretion of the court.
### § 43-23.3-24. Criminal history record checks.

The board shall require an applicant for a permit, under sections 43-23.3-04.1, 43-23.3-07,
43-23.3-08, and 43-23.3-09, and may require a permittee to submit to a statewide and
nationwide criminal history record check. The nationwide criminal history record check must be

conducted in the manner provided in section 12-60-24. All costs associated with obtaining a
background check are the responsibility of the applicant or permittee.
