TherapyPaws&Claws

What Is ESA Certification, Exactly?

If you’ve been searching for “emotional support certification for dog,” you’ve probably run into dozens of websites offering official-looking certificates, ID cards, and registration packages. Some charge $50. Others charge $200. They all look legitimate.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: ESA certification doesn’t exist.

There is no government registry for emotional support animals. No federal database. No certification body. The only document that legally qualifies your pet as an ESA is a letter from a licensed mental health professional. That’s it.

So why do so many websites sell “ESA certificates”? Because people don’t know the difference — and that confusion is profitable. Let’s clear it up.

ESA Certification vs. ESA Letter: The Difference That Matters

These two things get mixed up constantly, but they’re not the same:

An ESA letter is a signed document from a licensed mental health professional (therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed clinical social worker). It states that you have a mental health condition recognized in the DSM-5 and that an emotional support animal is part of your treatment. This letter has legal weight under the Fair Housing Act (FHA).

An ESA certificate or registration is a piece of paper or plastic card sold by a third-party website. It might look official — complete with holograms, registration numbers, and seals. But it carries zero legal authority. No landlord is required to accept it. No airline recognizes it. It’s decorative, not functional.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned consumers about fraudulent ESA registration sites. Multiple state attorneys general have taken action against companies selling fake ESA certifications.

Quick Comparison

Why “ESA Registration” Websites Are a Problem

These sites follow a pattern. You fill out a basic questionnaire, pay a fee, and receive a certificate and ID card in the mail — sometimes within minutes. No real evaluation. No conversation with a therapist. No clinical judgment involved.

This is a problem for several reasons:

1. Landlords are catching on. Property managers increasingly reject certificates and registrations that didn’t come from a verifiable mental health provider. HUD’s 2020 guidance (FHEO-2020-01) specifically states that documentation from “an internet website” is not sufficient if there’s no established therapeutic relationship.

2. It hurts people who actually need ESAs. Every fake certificate makes landlords more skeptical of legitimate requests. People with real mental health conditions — depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders — face more pushback because of the perception that ESA letters are easy to buy.

3. You could lose money. If your landlord rejects a certificate (which they legally can), you’ve paid for nothing. A legitimate ESA letter from a licensed provider would have actually protected you.

What You Actually Need: A Legitimate ESA Letter

To get legal protections for your emotional support animal, you need one thing: a letter from a licensed mental health professional. Here’s what makes a letter legitimate:

• Written on professional letterhead with the provider’s name, license number, and contact information
• States your qualifying condition (doesn’t need to name the specific diagnosis — just that you have a condition recognized in the DSM-5)
• Recommends an ESA as part of your treatment plan
• Dated within the last year (many landlords and housing authorities require this)
• Signed by the provider

If you already see a therapist or psychiatrist, ask them. Most are familiar with ESA letters and can write one during a regular session. If you don’t have a provider, telehealth services now offer legitimate evaluations where a licensed professional assesses your need.

Not sure what a proper ESA letter looks like? Check out our ESA letter template and examples guide to see real formatting.

How to Spot a Fake ESA Certification Site

Before you hand over your credit card, look for these warning signs:

🚩 No licensed professional involved. If the site doesn’t connect you with a specific, named, licensed mental health professional — walk away. A questionnaire alone doesn’t count.

🚩 Instant approval. A real ESA evaluation requires a clinical conversation (even a brief one). If you’re “approved” in under five minutes with no video or phone call, it’s not a legitimate evaluation.

🚩 They sell ID cards, vests, or certificates as the main product. These accessories have no legal meaning. Legitimate providers focus on the letter, not merchandise.

🚩 “Register your pet” language. There is no ESA registry. Any site claiming to register your animal in a database is misleading you.

🚩 No refund if your landlord rejects it. Legitimate telehealth ESA services often guarantee their letters meet HUD requirements. Scam sites don’t — because their documents don’t.

🚩 They guarantee approval before evaluation. No ethical mental health professional can guarantee you’ll qualify for an ESA before actually evaluating you.

ESA vs. Service Dog vs. Therapy Dog: Know the Categories

Another source of confusion: people mix up ESAs, service dogs, and therapy dogs. They’re all different.

Emotional Support Animal (ESA):

• Can be any species (dog, cat, rabbit, etc.)
• No special training required
• Protected under the Fair Housing Act for housing
• NOT allowed in stores, restaurants, or on planes (as of 2021 DOT rule changes)
• Requires an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional

Service Dog:

• Must be a dog (or in some cases, a miniature horse)
• Individually trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability
• Protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) — allowed in public places
• No certification or registration required (but must be task-trained)
• More about service dogs: best service dog breeds for anxiety

Therapy Dog:

• Trained to provide comfort to others (in hospitals, schools, nursing homes)
• Belongs to a handler, not the person receiving comfort
• No special legal protections for housing or public access
• Usually certified through organizations like Pet Partners or Therapy Dogs International
• Learn more: how to get your dog certified as a therapy dog

Do ESAs Need Any Training?

Legally, no. ESAs don’t need to pass any training test or demonstrate specific skills. Unlike service dogs, they don’t perform trained tasks.

That said, your ESA should be well-behaved enough to live in a housing setting without causing problems. Landlords can deny an ESA accommodation if the animal:

• Poses a direct threat to the safety of others
• Would cause substantial property damage
• Fundamentally alters the nature of the housing provider’s operations

Basic obedience training — sit, stay, no excessive barking, housebroken — isn’t legally required but makes your life (and your landlord’s) much easier. A well-behaved ESA is less likely to face challenges.

State Laws That Crack Down on Fake ESA Certificates

Several states have passed laws specifically targeting ESA fraud and fake certifications:

• Florida (2020): Requires ESA letters to come from a provider who has conducted an in-person or telehealth evaluation. Misrepresenting a pet as an ESA is a misdemeanor.
• California (AB 468, 2022): Bars businesses from selling ESA certificates, IDs, or registrations. Requires a 30-day therapeutic relationship before issuing an ESA letter.
• Virginia (2024): Landlords can request verification of the provider’s license and deny letters from out-of-state providers with no established relationship.
• Colorado, Michigan, New York: Various provisions requiring legitimate evaluations and penalizing fraud.

The trend is clear: states are tightening rules around ESA documentation. Fake certificates are becoming riskier for both sellers and buyers.

How Much Does a Legitimate ESA Letter Cost?

Expect to pay between $100 and $250 for a legitimate ESA evaluation and letter. This covers:

• A clinical evaluation by a licensed professional
• The signed letter on professional letterhead
• In many cases, a follow-up if your landlord has questions

Some providers charge more for rush processing or letters that cover both housing and travel. If you have health insurance that covers therapy sessions, your regular therapist can write the letter at no extra cost during a standard appointment.

We broke down pricing in detail here: How much does an ESA letter cost?

What About ESA Registries and Databases?

You might see websites that offer to add your pet to a “national ESA registry” or “emotional support animal database.” These registries are private businesses, not government entities. Adding your pet to one has no legal effect.

HUD does not maintain or recognize any ESA registry. Neither does any state government. The only thing that matters is the letter from your mental health provider.

If someone — a landlord, airline, or business — asks for your “ESA registration number,” you can tell them no such thing exists. What they can legally ask for is your ESA letter.

FAQ: ESA Certification Questions

Is there an official ESA certification?
No. There is no government-recognized ESA certification, registry, or database. The only legally valid document is an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.

Can my landlord reject an ESA certificate?
Yes. Landlords are not required to accept certificates, ID cards, or registration documents. They can (and increasingly do) require a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed provider.

Do I need to renew my ESA letter?
Most housing providers want a letter dated within the past 12 months. While there’s no federal “expiration” rule, getting your letter updated annually avoids disputes.

Can any therapist write an ESA letter?
Any licensed mental health professional can write one — therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, licensed clinical social workers. Your regular provider is often the best option since they already know your history.

Is it illegal to buy a fake ESA certificate?
In some states (like Florida and California), misrepresenting a pet as an ESA using fraudulent documentation can result in fines or misdemeanor charges. Even where it’s not explicitly illegal, it can lead to eviction or loss of housing protections.

Does my ESA need to wear a vest?
No. ESAs are not required to wear vests, tags, or any identifying gear. Some owners choose to, but it has no legal significance.

The Bottom Line

The ESA certification industry exists because of confusion, not because of any legal requirement. Save your money on certificates and ID cards. What protects you and your animal is a letter — a real one, from a real mental health provider who evaluated your actual needs.

If you’re starting the process, here’s where to go next:

• How to get an ESA letter — complete guide
• ESA letter template and examples
• ESA letter costs and affordable options