458.26 Disciplinary proceedings and actions.

(1) The department shall, upon motion of the board or upon its own determination, conduct investigations in regard to the action of any appraiser.

(2) The department shall present the findings of any investigation of an appraiser or an applicant for a certificate under this subchapter to the board for its consideration. The department shall, upon motion of the board, and may, upon its own determination, commence disciplinary proceedings on any matter under investigation concerning a certified appraiser, licensed appraiser or applicant.

(3) Disciplinary proceedings shall be conducted by the board according to the rules promulgated under s. 440.03 (1). The department may deny any certificate under this subchapter, and the board may limit, suspend or revoke any certificate under this subchapter or reprimand or impose additional continuing education requirements on the holder of a certificate under this subchapter, if the department or board finds that the applicant for or holder of the certificate has done any of the following:

(a) Made a material misstatement in an application for the certificate or renewal of the certificate, or in any other information furnished to the board or department.

(b) Engaged in unprofessional or unethical conduct in violation of rules promulgated under s. 458.24.

(c) Engaged in conduct while practicing as an appraiser which evidences a lack of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills.

(d) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.335, been arrested or convicted of an offense the circumstances of which substantially relate to the practice of an appraiser.

(e) Advertised in a manner that is false, deceptive or misleading.

(f) Advertised, practiced or attempted to practice as an appraiser under another's name.

(g) Subject to ss. 111.321, 111.322 and 111.34, practiced as an appraiser while the individual's ability to practice was impaired by alcohol or other drugs.

(h) Based the value of real estate in an appraisal report on the racial composition of the area in which the real estate is located.

(i) Violated this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter.

(4) In addition to or in lieu of a reprimand or denial, limitation, suspension or revocation of a certificate under sub. (3), the board may assess against a certified appraiser, licensed appraiser or applicant for a certificate under this subchapter a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for each violation enumerated under sub. (3).

(5) The department may seek judicial review under ch. 227 of any final decision of the board. The department shall be represented in such review proceedings by an attorney within the department. Upon request of the board, the attorney general may represent the board.

History: 1989 a. 340; 1991 a. 39, 78; 1993 a. 3; 2017 a. 113.