(1) All residential appraisers must receive specific training and testing to certify that they possess the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform residential property appraisals as outlined in this rule.

(2) Training and testing criteria shall be as follows:

(a) International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) certified training sessions will be offered annually if funding is available and if there are sufficient numbers of field staff who require the course.

(b) Employees shall attend the first residential training session offered by the department after commencement of employment. Satisfactory completion of the residential training session shall include successful completion of the written IAAO residential examination. If the employee fails to successfully complete the first written examination, attendance at the next residential IAAO training session shall be required. Failure to successfully complete the second written IAAO examination may result in the immediate termination of employment. The department may choose to demote the employee to a property valuation specialist, if the position is available and the individual is qualified to perform in that position. The employee will be notified of exam results directly by IAAO.

(3) Upon commencement of employment with the department as a residential appraiser, the employee shall undertake a one-year period of on-the-job residential appraisal work during which time the employee will begin the process of meeting the requirements set forth in (1) and (2). For employees new to state government, this one-year period will run concurrently with and in addition to the automatic six-month probation period set forth in department policy 3.1.4. The commencement of the year experience requirement will coincide with the employee's notification of being assessed residential appraisal responsibilities. All work will be supervised by the department. Failure to perform the appraisal work satisfactorily at any time during the one-year period may result in immediate termination of employment. The department may choose to demote the employee to a property valuation specialist position, if the position is available and the individual is qualified to perform in that position. 

(4) The department may waive the criteria set forth in (2) if sufficient proof is provided within six months of hire that the employee has previously fulfilled those requirements. Evidence of fulfilling the requirements may include, but is not limited to providing proof of having successfully completed a course of instruction from a professional appraisal and real estate related organization, provided that the organization is a member of The Appraisal Foundation as defined in 37-54-102, MCA. The course must be equal to or greater in complexity than that of IAAO course 101. An employee who is a Licensed Real Estate Appraiser through the Board of Real Estate Appraisers of the Business and Occupational Licensing Bureau of the Montana Department of Labor and Industry or another state in accordance to the Appraisal Qualifications Board (AQB) is also eligible for a waiver under this rule.