Apply for an Animal Welfare License or Registration

Last Modified: October 31, 2024

Ensuring the humane treatment of animals is good business, good for animals, and required by law under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA).

If you own or are in charge of an AWA-regulated business, you must be licensed or registered with APHIS.

Unsure If You Need a License or Registration?

The APHIS Licensing and Registration Assistant, which takes about 5 to 15 minutes to complete, is a self-service tool to help you determine if you need a license or a registration. Once you answer the questions, the tool provides you with a link directly to the license or registration application you need to complete.

Launch the Licensing and Registration Assistant

Start Your Application

We encourage prospective licensees and registrants to apply online. You can complete an application in about 10 minutes on our website using DocuSign. We also make printable versions of the applications available if you need them.

If you apply online, you'll first set up your electronic signature with your name and email address. Once you complete your electronic signature, you can begin filling out the application.

Effective August 1, 2023, payments are now due at the time of submission for online license applications. 

Payment options include credit/debit card or electronic funds transfer. Registration applications do not require payment.

License Applications

ApplicationApply OnlinePrintable Version
New License Application—Dealer (Class A or Class B)ApplyDownload (549.95 KB)
New License Application—Exhibitor (Class C)ApplyDownload (553.2 KB)
Re-License ApplicationApplyDownload (584.24 KB)

Registration Applications

ApplicationApply OnlinePrintable Version
New Registration Application—Transporters (Class H or Class T)ApplyDownload (527.99 KB)
New Registration Application—Research (Class R)ApplyDownload (538.43 KB)
Registration Update ApplicationApplyDownload (529.22 KB)

Guidance Materials

Licensing and Registration Under the Animal Welfare Act: Guidelines for Dealers, Exhibitors, Transporters, and Researchers

(PDF, 187.97 KB)

This publication details the types of businesses that are regulated by the AWA or exempt from it.
Animal Welfare Act

The AWA sets standards for the humane care and treatment of certain animals.

Questions about applying for an AWA license or registration?

Visit Our Animal Welfare Contacts Directory
Print