Questions about becoming an appraiser

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Hey everyone!

As I've been looking at getting started in real estate, I've felt a little insecure about what I can bring to the table as an investor. I don't know much about construction, and (at the moment) I'm not a powerhouse of expendable capital to just begin investing (we have a little more debt left to pay off, and want to save up to start investing after that). What I feel like I could bring to the table is the ability to find deals. 

I got laid off a couple of weeks ago, and wasn't in love with the job I left, so I'm kind of at a point where the whole world is open to me (as soon as it reopens). An idea I had for a "get paid to learn" career was to become a real estate appraiser. If I could learn the ins and outs of appraising and valuing homes in the next couple of years as we begin to invest, I think I could have a really solid foundation to build off of, and ultimately invest my way out of a "job". 

So here are my questions:

• What appraisal companies/agencies are there in the Kansas City area that could be good employers?
  What is the best place online to take courses (I'm a stay-at-home dad of a 2-year-old right now, so being online and flexible is key!)
  
• What kind of reciprocity exists between Kansas and Missouri for appraisal certifications? Will I have to take the exam in both states?

Thanks! Happy Monday!