(1) A trainee shall:

(a) be 18 years of age or older;

(b) make application to the board on forms approved by the board;

(c) have completed 40 hours of approved qualifying education in the principles of real estate appraisal prior to making application; and

(d) complete an additional 50 hours of approved qualifying education within the next 12 months or the next renewal, whichever is greater. Fifteen hours must be in the area of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) .

(2) For the purposes of ARM 24.207.503, appraisal experience obtained after October 1, 2003, will be credited only if earned by a licensed trainee. A licensed trainee may claim credit for appraisal experience obtained between October 1, 2000, and September 30, 2003, if the appraisal experience was obtained within the 36 months immediately prior to the individual's licensure as a trainee.

(3) A trainee shall be under the direct supervision of at least one appraiser mentor. A trainee may have more than one mentor.

(4) A trainee shall maintain an activity log for each mentor on forms approved by the board for qualifying activity completed in accordance with USPAP.

(5) A trainee license must be renewed by the date set by ARM 24.101.413 following the trainee's original year of licensure. A trainee license may be renewed a total of four times, but may be extended by the board for cause.

(6) All qualifying appraisals performed by a trainee must meet USPAP standards.

(7) After the original trainee licensing year, a trainee shall meet continuing education requirements established by rule. Qualifying education may be used to meet the continuing education requirements.

(8) A trainee shall submit two copies of two different appraisal reports the trainee completed in accordance with USPAP with the trainee's annual renewal.

(9) A trainee may not perform qualifying experience without a mentor.

(10) A trainee shall perform qualifying experience within Montana.

(11) A trainee may not perform qualifying experience outside the scope of the mentor's licensure or certification.

(12) Effective January 1, 2008, the core curriculum for trainee licensure is:

(a) basic appraisal principles 30 hours

(b) basic appraisal procedures 30 hours

(c) the 15-hour national USPAP course or its equivalent 15 hours

(d) total trainee education requirements 75 hours