Short answer
The federal ADA sets the floor in every state: a service dog is a dog individually trained to do work or tasks for a person with a disability, businesses may ask only two questions, and no registration or certificate is required or recognized. States can add to that floor, and they differ most on three things: whether dogs in training get public access, whether faking a service dog is punished, and what landlords may ask about emotional support animals. The table below compares all 51 jurisdictions.
What is the same in every state?
The Americans with Disabilities Act applies in all 50 states and DC, whatever state law says. Under the ADA:
- A service animal is a dog individually trained to do work or perform tasks directly related to a person's disability. Emotional support, comfort and companionship are not tasks.
- When it is not obvious what the dog does, a business may ask only whether the dog is required because of a disability and what task it has been trained to perform. It may not ask for documentation.
- No vest, ID or registration is required. The Department of Justice says documents sold online "do not convey any rights under the ADA".
- Dogs in training are not covered by the ADA. The DOJ adds that "some State or local laws cover animals that are still in training."
A state law can give more rights than the ADA, never fewer. That is why a state page matters mainly for dogs in training, fake service dog penalties and housing. Start with ADA service dog laws if you are new to this.
Service dog laws by state: comparison table
Each row summarizes the state's statute as read on the official legislature site. Click a state for its full page, where one exists, with quotes and statute links. "None" means the relevant chapters were read and no provision was found, not that every session law was searched.
| State | Trainer access (dogs in training) | Misrepresentation penalty | ESA housing law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes: owner-trainer with a disability, a trainer with 1+ year experience, or school/organization photo ID; dog must wear gear marked "in training" | Class C misdemeanor plus 100 hours community service; 2nd offense Class B plus $100 fine (Act 2019-478) | Yes (2018): landlord may require documentation from the person's own medical provider; tenant fraud and fake documents or gear: $500 civil or Class C misdemeanor |
| Alaska | Only trainers authorized by a school or facility, animal with approved insignia, and only in government "public facilities" | None | None |
| Arizona | Yes, "Any trainer or individual with a disability" | Civil penalty up to $250 (2018) | Limited: 2025 "assistance animal" definition and landlord liability shield; no letter or fraud rules |
| Arkansas | Yes, any trainer "in the act of training" | Civil penalty up to $250 (2019) | Yes (Act 268 of 2023): 30-day relationship, yearly evaluation, 12-point seller notice, $500 / $1,000 / $2,500; 2025 law lets businesses ban ESAs |
| California | Yes, licensed or "authorized" trainers; dog must be leashed and wear a county-issued tag | Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 and/or 6 months; ESA passed off as service dog: civil $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 | Yes (AB 468, 2022): 30-day relationship, license details, clinical evaluation; 12-point seller notice |
| Colorado | Yes, any trainer, no ID | Petty offense after a prior warning: $25, then $50 to $200, then $100 to $500 | Yes: tenant misrepresentation civil infraction (same fines); letter writer must have met the patient in person; HB26-1045 (effective 2026-08-12) presumes assistance animals reasonable |
| Connecticut | Organization-employed trainers with photo ID, or organization volunteers (puppy raisers) | None | None (2024 law only requires state educational materials) |
| Delaware | Yes, "An individual training a service animal" (no ID rule) | None (SB 219 of 2024 died) | None |
| District of Columbia | Yes, trainer or owner; animal 6+ months old wearing an "in training" harness, backpack or vest | None | No ESA law; service animal housing rules: licensed professional verification, 30 days to produce documents |
| Florida | Yes, "Any trainer of a service animal" (no ID rule) | 2nd degree misdemeanor (up to 60 days, $500) plus 30 hours community service (2015) | Yes (2020): letter from FL practitioner or registered telehealth provider with "personal knowledge"; out-of-state only after in-person care; internet registrations not sufficient; fraud is 2nd degree misdemeanor plus 30 hours |
| Georgia | Yes from 2026-07-01: school agents, owner-trainers and puppy raisers; notify manager, dog 6+ months, identifying gear | NEW 2026 (HB 668): high and aggravated misdemeanor, up to $2,000 and/or 30 days | None (ESAs excluded from service dog housing access) |
| Hawaii | No statutory access for dogs in training | Civil fine $100 to $250 first, $500+ after (2019) | Partial: landlord may ask treating professional for verification; online vests, tags, registrations "shall not constitute valid verification"; no fraud penalty |
| Idaho | Handler with a disability: yes; anyone else: must carry a school or organization ID card and dog must wear "in training" gear | Misdemeanor (up to 6 months and/or $1,000) | None |
| Illinois | Yes, trainers of support, guide, seizure or hearing dogs (no ID rule) | None | None |
| Indiana | Yes, "A service animal trainer" (no ID rule) | None in public accommodations | Yes (2018): Class A infraction up to $10,000 for tenant fraud, fake vests or signs, and letter-only providers "for a fee" |
| Iowa | Yes, "a person training a service animal" (no ID rule) | Simple misdemeanor, $105 to $855 and up to 30 days (prior-warning element removed 2025) | Yes (SF 2268, 2024): 30-day relationship certification; online registrations "not sufficient" |
| Kansas | Only a "professional trainer, from a recognized training center" with center ID card | Class A nonperson misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $2,500) | None (SB 170 died) |
| Kentucky | Yes, any assistance-dog trainer carrying trainer identification | "Violation," fine up to $1,000 (public accommodation and housing, separately) | Yes, KRS 383.085: in-state provider, no fee-mill letters, $1,000 fine |
| Louisiana | Yes, any trainer or puppy raiser during training | Fine up to $500, then $1,000, then $2,500 (R.S. 46:1977) | Yes, Act 558 (2024): 30-day relationship, two sessions, license number required |
| Maine | Yes, "specially trained" trainers while actually training | Civil violation, fine up to $1,000 per occurrence | Yes, "assistance animal" in housing; misrepresentation covered by 17 MRSA 1314-A |
| Maryland | Yes, any professional or volunteer trainer/raiser | None (no fake service dog law) | None ESA-specific; HS 7-704(c) housing access for service animals |
| Massachusetts | Yes, anyone raising or training a service dog (c.129 s.39F) | None; a study-commission bill (H.4371 / S.1254) stalled in committee | None ESA-specific; c.151B covers "dog guide" and disability |
| Michigan | Yes, any "animal raiser or trainer" since 2023, leash required | Misdemeanor, up to 90 days, $500, 30 days community service | None; 2020 ESA documentation bills (HB 4910/4911) vetoed |
| Minnesota | Yes, "any person training a dog to be a service dog" | Petty misdemeanor first offense; misdemeanor for second or later (2018) | Yes, 504B.113: licensed-professional documentation, tenant fraud lets landlord deny |
| Mississippi | Yes, professional trainers or volunteers working with one | None (no fake service dog law) | None; federal Fair Housing Act only |
| Missouri | Yes, trainers "from a recognized training center" or service dog team members | Class C misdemeanor (up to $750, 15 days), then Class B; civil damages | Yes, 209.204.3 (2020): assistance animal misrepresentation, false documents, lying to providers |
| Montana | Yes, any trainer; animal must wear written "in training" ID | Misdemeanor after written warning: $50, $75-$200, then $100-$1,000, community service | Yes, 70-24-114: licensed MT practitioner, 30-day relationship, registrations insufficient |
| Nebraska | Yes, "bona fide trainer" with animal in training, public places only | Only non-blind use of guide dog: Class III misdemeanor (3 months, $500) | No ESA-specific statute; Nebraska Fair Housing Act plus federal FHA |
| Nevada | Yes, any person training a service animal (dog or miniature horse) | Misdemeanor, fine up to $500 (NRS 426.805) | NRS 118.105 covers support animals; health care provider statement; no ESA penalty |
| New Hampshire | Yes, defined "service animal trainers" (agency staff, volunteers, trainers helping owner-trainers) | Misdemeanor (class B presumed: fine up to $1,200) | None ESA-specific; RSA 354-A and 167-D:4 housing access for service animals |
| New Jersey | Yes, only trainers employed by a recognized training organization | Fine $100 to $500 (guide dog harness misuse only, 10:5-29.5) | None ESA-specific; 10:5-29.2 covers service and guide dogs in housing |
| New Mexico | Partial: "being trained" animals qualify, but access text names a person with a disability | Misdemeanor (penalty scale not confirmed) | None; statute defines ESAs only to exclude them from service animal |
| New York | Yes, any person engaged in training (Civ. Rights 47-b(3)) | Only false tag on a dog: violation, fine from $25 (AGM 118) | Human Rights Law covers animals as housing accommodation; no ESA documentation law |
| North Carolina | Yes, any trainer; animal must wear "in training" collar, harness or cape | "Disguise" as service animal: Class 3 misdemeanor, fine up to $200 | No ESA-specific statute; NC Fair Housing Act reasonable accommodation (41A-4(f)(2)) |
| North Dakota | Yes, with photo ID from a nationally recognized program, notify manager | Infraction, fine up to $1,000 (public places and housing) | Yes: documentation rules, fraud infraction, $1,000 damage fee |
| Ohio | Yes, trainer of an assistance dog; agency liability insurance | None found | None found |
| Oklahoma | Yes, trainer from a "recognized training center" while training | Misdemeanor (default: up to 1 yr jail and/or $500), since 2025-11-01 | Yes: documentation rules; paid documentation presumed fraudulent |
| Oregon | Yes, any "assistance animal trainer" | None (2019 HB 2758 not enacted) | None found |
| Pennsylvania | Yes, "training" a service dog (summary offense to deny) | Housing only: M3 (false claim) and summary up to $1,000 (gear or documents) | Yes: Assistance and Service Animal Integrity Act (2018) |
| Rhode Island | Yes, any trainer or puppy raiser | Civil violation, up to 30 hours community service | Weak: "personal assistive animal" from certified program in fair housing |
| South Carolina | Yes, trainer of assistance or guide dog while training | Civil fine $250 / $500 / $1,000; not a crime | None found |
| South Dakota | Yes, trainer from a nationally recognized program, dog in ID gear | Class 2 misdemeanor (30 days and/or $500), eff. 2026-07-01 | Yes: documentation rules, eviction and $1,000 damage fee |
| Tennessee | Yes, trainer with credentials from an accredited school | Class B misdemeanor plus 100 hours community service (not confirmed on the official code site) | Yes: "reliable documentation", certificate websites excluded |
| Texas | Yes, "approved trainer" (undefined) | Misdemeanor, fine up to $1,000 plus 30 hours community service | None found in Property Code chs. 92, 94, 202 |
| Utah | Yes on paper, but cross-reference points to a police-dog definition | Class C misdemeanor (up to 90 days, $750) | Partial: no fee for support animals; lying to a provider is class C |
| Vermont | Yes, anyone "training an animal to perform as a service animal" | None found | None found |
| Virginia | Yes, experienced trainers with dog in specified gear, 6+ months old | Class 4 misdemeanor, fine up to $250 | Yes: "therapeutic relationship" standard; fraudulent letters are VCPA violations |
| Washington | Yes since 2024, any "service animal trainer" | Civil infraction, up to $500 | None found |
| West Virginia | Yes, trainer "certified as a trainer" | Misdemeanor, $200 and/or 10 days; repeat $1,000 and/or 30 days | None found |
| Wisconsin | Yes, trainer; dog in harness or leash and special cape; credential may be required | None for public places | Yes: licensed health professional documentation; $500+ forfeitures for tenants and providers |
| Wyoming | Dogs in training count as service animals since 2025; trainer right not stated | Misdemeanor, fine up to $750 (covers assistance animals too) | Yes: FHA reference plus misrepresentation fine up to $750 |
Which states allow service dogs in training in public?
Almost all of them, in some form, but the conditions vary more than anything else in this table. Hawaii has no statutory access for dogs in training at all. Several states limit it sharply:
- Narrow: Alaska service dog laws (authorized trainers, government facilities only), Kansas service dog laws (professional trainers from a recognized training center, with its ID card), Connecticut service dog laws (organization employees and volunteers), New Jersey (trainers employed by a recognized organization).
- Gear or age rules: Alabama service dog laws (lettering readable from 20 feet), Georgia service dog laws (notify a manager, dog 6+ months), District of Columbia service dog laws (6+ months, in-training harness, backpack or vest), Idaho service dog laws (school or organization ID for non-disabled trainers).
- A tag: California service dog laws requires trainers to use a leash and a county-issued assistance dog tag.
- Broad: Arizona service dog laws, Colorado service dog laws, Florida service dog laws and Iowa service dog laws let trainers in with no ID rule.
More on the practical side in service dogs in training.
Which states have fake service dog laws?
The Michigan State University Animal Legal and Historical Center counts 35 states with true bans on passing off a pet as a service animal "As of 2026". Our statute review found three that its map does not show yet: Georgia service dog laws (HB 668, 2026), South Dakota (effective July 1, 2026) and Kentucky (in force since July 15, 2024).
Penalties range from civil fines (Arizona and Arkansas, up to $250) to criminal misdemeanors (Kansas, up to a year and $2,500). Some states' laws are narrow: New Jersey covers only guide dog harness misuse, New York only a false tag on a dog, and Nebraska only non-blind use of a guide dog. No public-place fake service dog law was found in Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont or Wisconsin, though Indiana and Wisconsin penalize ESA fraud in housing. Details in fake service dog laws by state.
Which states regulate ESA letters and housing?
Federal housing law shifted in 2026. HUD withdrew its 2020 assistance animal guidance and, in a May 22, 2026 memo, said its fair housing office will find reasonable cause in animal cases only where the animal is trained. State laws were not affected, so they now carry more weight. What the states have done:
- 30-day relationship rules for ESA letters: California service dog laws, Arkansas service dog laws, Louisiana and Montana. Iowa service dog laws requires the letter to say whether a 30-day relationship exists, and Colorado service dog laws requires an in-person meeting.
- Online registrations and certificates expressly not enough: Florida service dog laws, Iowa service dog laws, Hawaii service dog laws and Montana. Tennessee excludes documentation from certificate websites, and Oklahoma presumes paid documentation fraudulent.
- Rules on sellers of ESA gear or letters: California and Arkansas require a bold written notice from sellers of ESA certificates, tags and vests, and Louisiana requires one from sellers of ESA certificates or letters.
- Housing presumption for ESAs: Colorado's HB26-1045 (effective August 12, 2026) presumes an assistance animal, including an ESA, is a reasonable accommodation.
See ESA letters for housing for how this plays out with a landlord.
Is there a state service dog registration?
No state runs a registry that gives a service dog access, and the ADA forbids requiring one. A few states issue their own tags or IDs, mostly tied to dog licensing: California (the county assistance dog tag), Michigan, New Hampshire, Maryland, New York (an optional special license tag), Ohio and West Virginia, and North Carolina's statute provides for one (whether it is still issued is unconfirmed). Others simply waive the license fee. New Hampshire's law says its own tag "shall not be used to verify the legitimacy or authenticity of a service animal for any purpose".
Private registries are something else. Our voluntary registry gives you a record, an ID card and an emergency contact on file. It is not a state tag or license, and it gives no legal rights anywhere.
All guides in this section
- Alabama service dog lawsAlabama service dog laws in 2026: ADA-style access, trainer rights for dogs in marked gear, the misdemeanor for faking a service animal, and ESA housing rules.
- Alaska service dog lawsAlaska service dog laws in 2026: the narrow certified service animal crime, limited trainer access, no fake service dog law and no ESA housing statute.
- Arizona service dog lawsArizona service dog laws in 2026: ADA definition that includes dogs in training, a $250 civil penalty for faking, no state ID, and the 2025 housing law.
- Arkansas service dog lawsArkansas service dog laws in 2026: trainer access, the $250 fake service dog penalty, the ESA seller notice, 30-day ESA letter rule and 2025 ESA bans.
- California service dog lawsCalifornia service dog laws in 2026: Civil Code 54.2 access, the county tag trainers need, Penal Code 365.7, HSC 122317 to 122319 and the 30-day ESA letter rule.
- Colorado service dog lawsColorado service dog laws in 2026: ADA definition, broad trainer access, fee-free licensing, warning-first fines for faking, and the HB26-1045 ESA housing law.
- Connecticut service dog lawsConnecticut service dog laws in 2026: the 2024 ADA definition, trainer access limited to training organizations, free dog licenses, and no fake service dog law.
- Delaware service dog lawsDelaware service dog laws in 2026: ADA-style access, trainer access in public accommodations, no fake service dog law after SB 219 died, and no ESA statute.
- Washington, DC service dog lawsWashington, DC service dog laws in 2026: a broader service animal definition, access for dogs in training, housing documentation rules and no fake dog law.
- Florida service dog lawsFlorida service dog laws in 2026: Fla. Stat. 413.08 access, dogs in training, the misdemeanor for faking, and 760.27 rules for ESA letters and registrations.
- Georgia service dog lawsGeorgia service dog laws in 2026: HB 668, the Mara Jade Act, with a new service dog definition, owner-trainer and puppy raiser access, and a fake dog penalty.
- Hawaii service dog lawsHawaii service dog laws in 2026: ADA definition, no access for dogs in training, civil fines for faking, housing verification rules and bringing a dog in.
- Idaho service dog lawsIdaho service dog laws in 2026: ADA-style access for dogs, two tiers of access for dogs in training, and the misdemeanor for posing as disabled with a dog.
- Illinois service dog lawsIllinois service dog laws in 2026: the Criminal Code and White Cane Law, trainer access for dogs in training, and no fake service dog or ESA housing statute.
- Indiana service dog lawsIndiana service dog laws in 2026: the 2023 ADA definition, trainer access, no public-place fake dog law, and strict ESA housing penalties up to $10,000.
- Iowa service dog lawsIowa service dog laws in 2026: ADA definition, access for dogs in training, the misdemeanor for faking, and the 2024 ESA letter and registration rules.
- Kansas service dog lawsKansas service dog laws in 2026: assistance dog access, professional-trainer-only access for dogs in training, the misdemeanor for false claims, no ESA law.
- Kentucky service dog laws: access, training and ESAsKentucky protects assistance dogs in public places and fines misrepresentation up to $1,000 since 2024. ESAs get no public access. Housing and letter rules.
- Louisiana service dog laws: access, training and ESAsLouisiana gives trainers and puppy raisers access, fines misrepresentation up to $2,500, and since 2024 sets 30-day rules for ESA letters.
- Maine service dog laws: access, training and ESAsMaine protects trained service dogs in public, fines misrepresenting a service or assistance animal up to $1,000, and covers ESAs in housing.
- Maryland service dog laws: access, training and ESAsMaryland gives trainers and raisers access, has no fake service dog law, and offers a voluntary orange State tag with a free dog license.
- Massachusetts service dog laws: access, training and ESAsMassachusetts gives anyone raising or training a service dog ADA-level rights, has no fake service dog law, and waives license fees.
- Michigan service dog laws: access, training and ESAsMichigan follows the ADA plus miniature horses, lets any raiser or trainer in since 2023, and punishes fake service animals with up to 90 days.
- Minnesota service dog laws: access, training and ESAsMinnesota follows the ADA, lets anyone training a service dog in, penalizes misrepresentation, and sets ESA documentation rules for landlords.
- Mississippi service dog laws: access, training and ESAsMississippi covers trained dogs and miniature horses for listed disabilities and their trainers, with no fake service dog law and no ESA statute.
- Missouri service dog laws: access, training and ESAsMissouri makes a service dog vest on a pet, false documents and fake housing assistance animals class C misdemeanors. Access, training and ESA rules.
- Montana service dog laws: access, training and ESAsMontana requires written in-training gear, fines misrepresentation after a warning, and since 2025 says ESA registrations and ID cards are not enough.
- Nebraska service dog laws: access, training and ESAsNebraska protects service animals and bona fide trainers in public places. Its only fraud offense covers guide dogs, and it has no ESA housing law.
- Nevada service dog laws: access, training, ESAs and Las Vegas rulesNevada protects trainers with a service animal in training and fines misrepresentation up to $500. ESAs, housing, and Las Vegas licensing.
- New Hampshire service dog laws: access, training and ESAsNew Hampshire makes service dog gear on a pet a misdemeanor and offers a voluntary state tag that, by law, verifies nothing.
- New Jersey service dog laws: access, training and ESAsNew Jersey limits training access to professional trainers, protects retired service dogs in housing, and has only a guide dog harness fraud law.
- New Mexico service dog laws: access, training and ESAsNew Mexico covers trained dogs and miniature horses, excludes emotional support animals by name, and makes presenting a fake service animal a misdemeanor.
- New York service dog laws: access, training, ESAs and dog license tagsNew York gives anyone training a service dog access, has no general fake service dog law, and lets towns issue an optional service dog tag.
- North Carolina service dog laws: access, training and ESAsNorth Carolina lets trainers in with an in-training collar, harness or cape, fines disguised service animals up to $200, and describes a voluntary DHHS tag.
- North Dakota service dog lawsNorth Dakota has no service dog registration. Access rules, trainer ID conditions, the $1,000 fake service dog infraction and ESA documentation rules for rentals.
- Ohio service dog lawsOhio's free permanent assistance dog tag is real, but it is county dog registration, not an access pass. What Ohio law covers, trainers, housing and ESAs.
- Oklahoma service dog lawsOklahoma made faking a service dog a misdemeanor in 2025, and presumes paid ESA documentation fraudulent in rentals. Access, trainers and housing.
- Oregon service dog lawsOregon protects assistance animals and any trainer with a dog in training, bans documentation demands, and waives license fees. No fake service dog law.
- Pennsylvania service dog lawsPennsylvania protects handlers and trainers, fines housing fraud including fake vests, and issues free dog licenses. Official text not confirmed.
- Rhode Island service dog lawsRhode Island covers dogs in training, trainers and puppy raisers, and treats faking a service dog as a civil violation with community service.
- South Carolina service dog lawsSouth Carolina fines fake service dogs $250 to $1,000 as a civil matter, covers dogs in training with trainers, and names miniature horses.
- South Dakota service dog lawsSouth Dakota's SB 82 made faking a service dog a Class 2 misdemeanor from July 1, 2026. Trainer rules, gear for dogs in training, rentals.
- Tennessee service dog lawsTennessee rejects certificate-website paperwork for rentals and punishes fake service dogs with community service. Official text not confirmed.
- Texas service dog lawsTexas has no service dog registration. Faking one carries a fine up to $1,000 plus 30 hours community service; denying access, up to $300. Trainers, ESAs.
- Utah service dog lawsUtah makes faking a service or support animal a class C misdemeanor, bars extra housing fees for support animals, and has a trainer drafting glitch.
- Vermont service dog lawsVermont protects anyone training a service animal and fines violations up to $10,000, but has no fake service dog law and no ESA statute.
- Virginia service dog lawsVirginia names vests, harnesses and ID cards in its fake service dog law. Gear-based access, trainer rules, ESA letters and no pet fees.
- Washington service dog lawsWashington gave service animal trainers public access in 2024. Its fake service dog civil infraction runs up to $500. Miniature horses, ESAs.
- West Virginia service dog lawsWest Virginia says guide and support dogs must be registered with the county, but access never depends on it. Fake service dog penalties, trainers.
- Wisconsin service dog lawsWisconsin covers any trained species, lets trainers in with a harness or leash and cape, fines ESA housing fraud and gives service dogs a free license.
- Wyoming service dog lawsWyoming added dogs in training to its service animal definition in 2025 and fines fake service or assistance animal claims up to $750.
Common questions
Do service dog laws differ by state?
Yes, above the federal floor. Every state must follow the ADA; states add rules for dogs in training, fake service dogs and housing.
Which state has no access for service dogs in training?
Hawaii. Its service animal law has no trainer or in-training provision.
How many states have fake service dog laws?
The Michigan State University count is 35 as of 2026. Georgia, South Dakota and Kentucky have laws its map does not show yet.
Do I need to register my service dog in my state?
No. The ADA does not allow mandatory registration. Some states offer voluntary tags or fee-free licenses, and your dog still needs the ordinary local license and vaccinations.
Are emotional support animals allowed in public in any state?
Not under the ADA. Several states give ESAs housing rules, and Arkansas lets businesses ban them with a sign.
Sources
- DOJ, ADA service animal FAQ
- 28 CFR 36.104, definition of service animal
- MSU Animal Legal and Historical Center, table of state assistance animal laws
- MSU Animal Legal and Historical Center, fraudulent service dogs map
- HUD enforcement guidance on animals, 2026-05-22
- Colorado HB26-1045
- Georgia HB 668 (2026), as passed
General information, not legal advice. Policies and laws change; follow the sources. Last checked September 25, 2026.