(1) Except as stated in (3) and ARM 24.207.508 regarding ad valorem appraisal experience, the board adopts and incorporates by reference the Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria effective May 1, 2018, in its entirety, inclusive of the criteria, interpretations, guide notes, and Q&A, and Policy Statements, effective March 2018, published by the Appraiser Qualifications Board of the Appraisal Foundation. The Real Property Appraiser Qualification Criteria are commonly referred to as the "AQB criteria." A copy of the criteria and policy statements are available from the Appraisal Foundation at www.appraisalfoundation.org, or 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 1111, Washington, DC 20005. 

(2) The AQB criteria covers the qualifying experience, education, examination, and background check requirements necessary to become a trainee, trainee supervisor, licensed appraiser, or certified appraiser; and the standards, scopes of practice, and continuing education requirements for each category of licensure.

(3) The board amends the following AQB Criteria:

(a) "Criteria Specific to Continuing Education," Part II F, paragraph 11 is amended with the addition of the following: "The board has a two-year continuing education cycle."

(b) "Criteria Specific to Continuing Education," Part III F, paragraph 13, delete the first sentence and replace with the following: "If after audit, a credential holder is determined to be deficient in continuing education, the state will offer a 60-day opportunity to cure and complete all required education hours for that continuing education cycle. If the credential holder fails to cure the continuing education deficiency, the state will place the credential holder in an "administrative suspension" status and report the credential holder to the national registry as AQB-noncompliant until the audited deficiency and any accrued deficiency is cured. A demonstrated pattern of deficiencies may result in referral to the board for traditional disciplinary action."

(c) "Background Checks," Part VI, paragraph C, is amended with the addition of the following: "As provided by Title 37, chapter 1, part 2, MCA, the board may not base a denial of a license solely on a previous criminal conviction unless it finds, after investigation, the applicant has not been sufficiently rehabilitated as to warrant the public trust."