Certificates of veterinary inspection (CVIs)

Amid all the variables that may be involved with issuing CVIs, there are fundamental administrative, logistic, and regulatory factors that need to be considered every time. AVMA members can access these step-by-step guides to CVIs, so you can spend less time chasing down information and more time on other things you need to do.

Download Interstate CVIs step by step
Download International CVIs step by step

Note: Regulations vary across states, territories, and countries. The information provided here is basic guidance and does not impart any kind of regulatory authority. If at any point, you have questions about CVIs, contact your state animal health official and/or your USDA APHIS Veterinary Services district office.

Working with owners to help make sure animals and documentation meet the import requirement of the receiving country, state, or territory is a critical part of protecting animal and public health—and clients might not be aware of these requirements.
It’s important to make sure that clients understand several points about transporting animals:

• Animals might require official identification, specific tests, vaccinations, other treatments, or even quarantine upon arrival, depending on the species and destination.
• In some cases, the animal species being transported might not be permitted in the destination country, state, or city.
• Deviation from the requirements could disqualify their animals from being moved or cause the animals to be quarantined on arrival.
• Animal health prerequisites for CVIs may start months in advance.

You’ll need to know some basic information to help the animal owner:

• The origination and destination locations, to look up import and export restrictions and contact animal health officials if needed
• The travel date or date range, to help establish the timeline of appointments and procedures, working backwards from the travel date and using the destination’s import requirements as a guide

Unfortunately, some animal owners make unethical and illegal requests regarding CVIs. Fulfilling these requests can put your federal accreditation and veterinary license in jeopardy and can result in prosecution.

The AVMA offers educational information for animal owners about safely transporting pets and other animals, CVI timelines, and other travel and transport considerations.

Animals are regularly transported internationally, and international certificates of veterinary inspection (CVIs) are vital components to facilitate the movement while also aiding in animal disease surveillance, prevention, traceability, and control. Just as the U.S. has regulations in place governing the importation of animals, other countries do too. The regulations protect people, animals, and ecosystems by helping to prevent the spread of diseases, pests, invasive animals, and injurious animals. Countries that receive animals from the U.S. rely on our nation’s established regulatory framework, which includes accredited veterinarians, to ensure that animals reaching their ports meet their requirements.

• Know to contact your local USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) District Office with any questions you may have regarding international CVIs, including electronic CVIs.
• Be federally accredited in the proper category for the given animal species.
• Understand that most countries require CVIs to be completed by federally accredited veterinarians.
• Review the “Role of Agencies, Health Certificates” and other modules within the APHIS Approved Supplemental Training that are related to CVIs.
• Be familiar with the resources available within the AVMA’s Veterinarians’ Quick Reference on Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs ), including the material on this page and the step-by-step algorithm for completing CVIs.
• Know about the Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) Rule and your responsibilities under it.
• Be aware of how to avoid common CVI mistakes.
• Know where you can find regulations pertaining to animal import and export .
• Work with the animal owner or caretaker to help ensure the destination’s import requirements are met.
• Know about acclimation statements.
• Be aware that sometimes a dual heath certificate is required. If this is known to USDA, a downloadable copy is generally available on the USDA’s Animal and Animal Product Export Information website.
• Determine an appropriate fee structure for services provided.

Common CVI mistakes include:

• The CVI form or parts of it are illegible.
• Official ID is missing.
• Addresses are missing, incomplete, inaccurate, or a post office box.
• Information or documentation about tests, vaccinations, or other required treatments is missing, out of date, or incomplete.
• Required statements are missing.
• Import permit number is missing.
• Rabies certificate is missing.
• The timeline for completing animal health import prerequisites deviates from the requirements.
• Age/sex/breed information is missing.
• CVI was completed by a non-accredited veterinarian or one not accredited in the necessary category.

The keys to avoiding mistakes: Time, personnel, supplies, and equipment

Veterinarians generally have access to most of the equipment and facilities that might be needed to perform the tasks associated with completing CVIs. However, there are times when needed resources (ID tags, RFID reader, vaccine supply, additional personnel, mobile chute, etc.) are committed elsewhere or otherwise unavailable (on back-order, equipment repairs, staff sick or on vacation, etc.).

Because the animal’s eligibility for travel—and possibly the owner’s travel as well—can depend on meeting the destination’s travel requirements on time, veterinarians need to consider potential resource limitations when working with an owner to establish the schedule for their CVI-related appointments. Ordering any needed supplies (microchips, ID tags, vaccine, etc.) well enough in advance and reserving their use will be helpful too.

Do not skip or modify steps or requirements. While it is understandable that you want to meet your client’s needs, you have a professional responsibility and an accreditation standard to uphold. Violations of professional ethics or practice acts could jeopardize your licenses, accreditation, and career. Doing so may also result in prosecution by state or federal government. If a violation by a veterinarian results in import or export problems with the animals, the veterinarian may be found liable.