MAAO COURSE OFFERINGS

Just starting out as an assessor? Not quite sure which course to tackle first on your path to your next license? Click here for a map to guide you!


Certified Minnesota Assessor Required Courses


Accredited Minnesota Assessor Courses


Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor Courses


Minnesota Assessment Laws & Procedures (ALP)

Assessment Laws and Procedures is an introductory 28-hour course dealing with the assessment field in Minnesota.  Participants will learn about property tax laws in Minnesota, real estate law and assessment procedures. This course is designed for individuals who are just beginning their study of the assessment field but also can serve as a review for persons currently working in assessment. This is a required course for the Certified Minnesota Assessor level of licensure. This course is approved by the Minnesota State Board of Assessors for 28 hours of continuing education, 30 hours with exam.


Basic Appraisal Principles

This 30-hour course will introduce you to real property concepts and characteristics, legal considerations, influences on real estate values, types of value, economic principles, market area analysis, highest and best use, and ethical considerations. The course should provide a solid foundation in basic appraisal principles no matter what appraisal specialty you pursue. By successfully completing the course and exam, you will have met most states’ education requirements in the content area identified as basic appraisal principles.

Basic Appraisal Procedures 

Apply the principles and concepts learned in Basic Appraisal Principles. This 30-hour course takes you step-by-step through the valuation process:

  • Defining the problem
  • Collecting and analyzing data
  • Reaching a final opinion of value
  • Communicating the appraisal

Learn about the three approaches to reaching an opinion of value (income capitalization, cost, and sales comparisonand apply them in true-to-life case studies and problems. After examining income capitalization methods and formulas, discover how rates and multipliers are derived. Through case studies, apply the steps and concepts of the cost approach, i.e., how appraisers estimate the cost of constructing a reproduction of or replacement for an existing structure; the three major components of depreciation; methods for estimating and allocating depreciation; and land and site valuation.

The course will guide you through the sales comparison approach, including researching the market, verifying information, selecting units of comparison, conducting a comparative analysis, making adjustments, and reconciling conclusions. The material also covers the general types of appraisal reports. Finally, the course introduces property description plus the basics of construction and design.


Mass Appraisal Basics

This introductory 28-hour course plus 2-hour exam introduces participants to the concepts and procedures of ad valorem mass appraisal through lecture, problem solving, and case studies.  Emphasis is on the practical application of mass appraisal techniques in the three approaches to value, statistics and sales ratio studies and is the fourth sequential course required for the Certified Minnesota Assessor level of licensure.


Basic Income Approach

This 30-hour course introduces attendees to the Income Approach to Value through lecture and problem solving. Emphasis is on practical application of this approach rather than theory. Course materials include development of net operating income and the development and use of direct capitalization as well as using a multiplier with gross income(s). MAAO Basic Income Approach is an approved income course for AMA licensure. Class size is limited to 48 students. This course is recommended prior to taking IAAO Course 102 - Income Approach to Valuation, but it is not required. This class can serve as the prerequisite for IAAO 112 - Advanced Income Approach. This course is an approved income course for the Accredited Minnesota Assessor licensure. It is also approved by the MN State Board of Assessors for 30 hours of assessor/appraiser continuing education. 


Basic Apartment Valuation


This course is for experienced residential and beginning commercial appraisers who want to learn the income approach to value apartment buildings. It is highly recommended that students are not seasoned apartment appraisers. Previous income courses are helpful but not required in order to take this course.

Apartment valuation is fun and interesting! And it is a great way to learn about the income approach to value. Join us as we use real-world apartment data to develop practical skills that you can use back in the office.
Topics will include:
  • The income approach to value
  • Real estate investment for dimwits (appraisers)
  • Market segmentation
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Developing capitalization rates from the market
  • Understanding expense statements
  • Developing mass income models from your data

Basic Ag 101

Developed and instructed by the MAAO Agricultural Committee and the MAAO Course Curriculum Committee, Basic Ag 101 is a 15 hour, 2-day course that provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to understand the basic properties of agricultural property.  The focus is placed on the basic attributes of agricultural land, buildings, and data management.  Students will have a better understanding of agricultural property as a whole and develop confidence to apply the knowledge from this course into their field inspections of agricultural properties.  Topics will include legal descriptions; agricultural classification; types of farms; agricultural legislative programs; valuation of agricultural properties; agricultural buildings; public relations and best practices; proper data collection techniques; data management; the three approaches to value; and highest and best use.  The students will have the opportunity to participate in a case study to apply their learning at the end of the course. 


Advanced Ag

Developed and instructed by the MAAO Agricultural Committee, Advanced Ag covers many unique challenges presented in assessing agricultural properties. The main goal of this course will be to instruct attendees and assist in developing the confidence to work with agricultural properties on a practical basis.  This advanced agricultural course will cover the following topics in depth:

1. The classification, split classification, and tools to use in determining agricultural classification.
2. Valuation strategies, rates, and tables to aid in the valuation of agricultural properties.
3. CER, CPI, ABC soil ratings, and how to utilize them. The emphasis will be on converting to CPI soil ratings.
4. Tips on determination and applying strategies regarding both functional and economic obsolescence for agricultural facilities.
5. Tips on valuing re-purposed agricultural buildings.
6. Determining the requirements for agricultural homestead and linkage of homestead properties under various scenarios.


Residential Assessing 101

Developed and instructed by the MAAO Residential Committee and the MAAO Curriculum and Standards Committee, Residential Assessing 101 is a 15 hour, 2-day course.  This elective course is for assessors new to the field. This course will help new assessors be efficient, educated, and more knowledgeable in the assessing and housing industry. Topics covered include quintile inspections, accessory structures and dwelling units, modular/manufactured home construction, fee appraisals and appeals, residential construction and grading the house. Safety will be discussed as well. Participation and discussion is encouraged in the class. At the end of the class, an exam will follow.

NOTE: While MAAO does not monitor the experience level of course registrants, it is VERY important to note that this course has been developed with the new, inexperienced appraiser in mind. It is highly recommended that course registrants are not seasoned appraisers but rather newer appraisers.

 


 

Advanced Residential Assessing

 

Developed and instructed by the MAAO Residential Committee and the MAAO Curriculum and Standards Committee, Advanced Residential Assessing is a 15 hour, 2-day course.  This elective course is for assessors who have to deal with more specific type properties that are difficult to assess due to lack of data and sales.  Topics this course covers include obsolescence of a house, pole buildings with living quarters, log homes, tiny homes, waterfront properties, executive homes, and historic homes. This class will teach and give participants advice on how to look at and value these type of properties.  Participation and discussion is encouraged. At the end of the class, an exam will follow.

 


Residential Case Study Workshop and Optional Exam

This workshop is intended for assessors planning to take the Minnesota Residential Case Study Exam.  The student reference manual includes numerous problems and solutions to study while preparing for the case study exam.  By attending the online workshop, candidates will be prepared for the case study exam.


Minnesota Assessment Administration 

Minnesota Assessment Administration provides a thorough overview of the important roles and duties of managing an assessor’s office. The course will include information on the following topics: managing staff effectively, managing office work efficiently, providing good customer service through effective communication, review of the annual assessment calendar and deadlines, sales and the sales ratio study, the importance of maintaining relationships, acknowledging and incorporating diversity and inclusion, new assessor review process, and using technology throughout the assessment process. This Assessment Administration course is required for the Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor (SAMA) level of licensure. This course is also approved by the Minnesota State Board of Assessors for 30 hours of continuing education.


Leadership Education for Assessor Development - LEAD

  • LEAD: Conflict Management and Developing Leadership Skills 

This course is devoted to assisting Assessors in discovering individual talents and strengths and examine how those impact/influence their ability to manage and lead.  Assessors will compare and contrast the similarities and difference of management and Leadership as well as apply effective Communication skills in a leadership capacity.  Additionally the course will help Assessors develop conflict management skills.  Assessors will learn about conflict, conflict management, negotiation skills and communications skills.  Real-life examples will be brought up so that Assessors understand how to apply these skills to managing appeals, setting expectations to meet quintile requirements, working through new property tax laws, brainstorming solutions to get assessment work done, discussing State Board Equalization orders and more!

  • LEAD: Leading by Example when Managing Others and Work

This course is devoted to assisting assessors in becoming more effective in creating training programs, allocating resources, prioritizing workloads, and continuously improving processes. Assessors will learn about project management principles, resource planning, goal setting, performance measurements, training strategies, and continuous improvement methodologies. Real-life examples and case studies will be brought up so that assessors understand how to apply these skills when creating an effective quintile plan, designing an organizational chart that maximizes resources, measuring employee productivity, and consistently reviewing and improving existing processes.  In addition the course is assisting assessors in becoming more effective leaders. They will learn the traits and skills that make-up a successful leader, the various personalities and strengths seen in the workplace, how to approach hiring and developing a cohesive team as well as approaching performance reviews and setting clear expectations. Real-life examples and case studies will be brought up so that Assessors understand how to apply these skills when managing employees, resolving issues, developing a team environment, writing performance reviews and more!


Income Case Study Workshop and Optional Exam

This workshop is intended for assessors planning to take the Minnesota Income Property Case Study Exam, which is one of the requirements to achieve the SAMA level of licensure. The materials provided will be a review of the three approaches to value with emphasis on the income approach. Registrants should review previous course materials and be prepared to work on case study problems involving income-producing properties. The workshop is intended to review concepts and methods of valuation so preparation for the workshop is the registrant’s responsibility. By attending the workshop, candidates will be prepared for the case study exam.


Event List - full listing of all MAAO related events


Other Education Links:

International Association of Assessing Officers

North Central Regional Association of Assessing Officers

Appraisal Institute

American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers

Minnesota Department of Revenue