Continuing Relationship with Mentor After Certification

[Vermonter]

My question is, can I sign up with AMCs under their company, or do I need my own? Would being with an established company look better to AMCs?

AMCs usually only register individual appraisers so they do no care. You just need E&O and a tax id to get paid.

My advice is talk to a CPA and figure out how to structure your own business. Every one is different. Your mentor can't provide the work so he shouldn't be upset about it. You can still maintain a professional relationship. I've been doing that with my mentor and it's been 25+ years since he trained me. We talk at least once a week and we're in different states.