My neighbor got into appraisals during the bubble. You have to do a lot of appraisals under a licensed appraiser before you can go out on your own. Sometimes it can be hard to find someone. Also, She had to bring in her own business. That meant contacting and networking with banks and mortgage lenders to get business. So, a lot of the work in the beginning was actually selling herself. Things have changed a bit, but she's making good money now.
This is Colorado. The rules here have really changed recently. I don't know if it's harder or easier to get into the business after the changes.