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Licensing Rule (APHIS-2017-0062)

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This page provides a general overview of the licensing rule that was published in the

Federal Register on May 13, 2020. The rule takes effect on November 9, 2020. These

changes aim to promote compliance, reduce licensing administrative burdens, and

strengthen safeguards to ensure humane care for animals covered under the Animal

Welfare Act (AWA).

Implementation Timeline

By 2023, all AWA licensees will receive a 3-year license, which will cost a flat

processing fee of $120.  Licensees will need to demonstrate compliance during an

announced inspection before receiving a new, 3-year license.

APHIS will phase in the transition of licensees from 1-year to 3-year terms. 

Approximately 1/3 of current licensees will be transitioned each year, beginning in

2021.  This phased approach will help AC and licensees successfully transition to the

new process without overwhelming the licensed community or inspectors.
Officials with APHIS’ Animal Care (AC) program will contact each licensee in August

2020, with information regarding their re-licensing timeframe, as well as copies of

the new “Animal Welfare Act and Regulations” book.

The transition date will be the license expiration date.  To ensure fairness, AC has

randomly assigned licensees to go through the new process in either years 1, 2, or

3.  AC will continue to issue 1-year licenses—for a $40 processing fee—until they are

all converted to 3-year licenses. 

Licensees in the year 1 group will switch to 3-year licenses on their renewal

date beginning October 1, 2021.

Licensees in the year 2 group will renew their licenses as usual the first year

and pay their $40 processing fee, transitioning to 3-year licenses beginning

October 1, 2022.

Licensees in the year 3 group will renew their licenses as usual the first 2 years,

paying $40 renewal fees each of those years. Year 3 licensees will transition to

3-year licenses beginning October 1, 2023.

Summary of Licensing Changes

Licensing Process

Applicants for 3-year licenses must submit applications and license fees ($120) at

least 90 days before the expiration date of their current licenses.  Under the new

rule, new applicants also will need to provide additional information as part of their

application package, as well as the $120 license fee.  Under Section §2.1, applicants

will need to include the total number of animals they expect to hold or use during

the licensing period and indicate whether any overnight travel is part of their

activities.  Applicants will also be required to provide information about any

violations or animal cruelty charges filed against them under local, State, or Federal

law.  In addition, any person who has been or is an officer, agent, or employee of a

licensee whose license has been suspended or revoked and who was responsible for

or participated in the activity upon which the suspension or revocation was based

will not be licensed within the period during which the order of suspension or

revocation is in effect.

Once the first pre-licensing inspection is scheduled, the applicant has up to three

attempts to pass the inspection by demonstrating full compliance with the AWA. 
Pre-licensing inspections must be completed within 60 days of the first inspection.  If

the applicant does not pass the pre-licensing inspections or time runs out, the

applicant forfeits the license fee and must wait at least 6 months to submit a new

application.

Current and new licensees can appeal the 3rd pre-license inspection to the AC

Deputy Administrator if they do not pass.  If the appeal is denied, it can be

submitted for legal review provided that the applicant held a valid license when he

or she submitted the license application, and, provided that the Animal Care Deputy

Administrator received the license application 90 days prior to the expiration of the

valid license.  Appeals for current licensees will be expedited for review.  Licensees

can continue to participate in regulated activities until the Deputy Administrator

issues a decision on the appeal.  New applicants cannot conduct any regulated

activity until they have a valid license. 

When is a new license needed?

A new license is needed whenever:

Your 3-year license expires

You change the total number of animals you hold, which elevates the total

number of animals to a new category (categories are set up in 50-animal

increments)

You change ownership, location, or type of activity

You want to acquire an animal type from the list below that you have never had

before:    

Wild/exotic big cats (lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetah, hybrids, etc.)

Wild/exotic canids (wolves, hyena, etc.)

Bears

Megaherbivores (elephants, rhino, hippopotamus, giraffe, etc.)

Group 5 & 6 nonhuman primates (gorilla, chimps, orangutan, etc.)

Any change to a license must be submitted to AC 90 days prior to the change taking

place.

Other
Lists of licensees and registrants will no longer be published in the Federal Register. 

These lists will now be maintained on the USDA AC website.

Related Links

Licensing Changes Under the 2020 Licensing Rule [Tech Note]

Animal Welfare Act and Regulations [The “Blue Book”]

Licensing Rule: Veterinary Care for Dogs

Licensing Rule: Watering Standards

Contact Us

If you have questions, please contact our office:

Animal Care Program

Email: animalcare@usda.gov

Phone: 970-494-7478

Fax: 970-494-7461

Mailing Address:

2150 Centre Ave.

Bldg. B, Mailstop 3W11

Fort Collins, CO 80526