Quick answer
Pet ESA Service works with licensed mental health professionals, such as LCSWs, LPCs, LMHCs, LMFTs and psychologists, who are licensed in the state where you live. Each clinician makes an independent decision about whether ESA or PSD documentation is clinically appropriate, and every letter lists a license number your housing provider can check on the state board's website.
Key points
- Your clinician holds an active license in your state.
- Clinical decisions are independent; payment never decides the outcome.
- Every letter lists the license number, type and issuing state for easy verification.
- Our clinicians never sell letters without an evaluation.
- Licensed professionals can join our network by emailing hello@petesaservice.com.
Who evaluates you
Your evaluation is done by a licensed mental health professional. Depending on your state, that may be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or psychologist. Each holds an active license from a state board.
People searching for an ESA doctor, or for doctors that provide ESA letters, are usually looking for exactly this: a qualified, licensed clinician. Physicians can write ESA letters, but most ESA evaluations are done by mental health professionals, because the question is about mental health and daily functioning. Read more in who can write an ESA letter.
Why your clinician is licensed in your state
Licenses are issued state by state, and a clinician may generally practice only where they hold a license. Some states write this directly into ESA law. California, Arkansas, Louisiana and Montana expect documentation from a provider licensed in the state, and Kentucky looks for a Kentucky licensed provider with an active practice there.
Matching you with a clinician in your state also helps your housing provider. They can look the clinician up on the board's website in minutes, and the letter reflects the rules where you live.
How matching works
When you complete the free assessment, you tell us where you live and what kind of evaluation you need. After you choose an evaluation, we match you with a clinician who holds an active license in that state. Most people hear from their clinician within one business day.
If your state requires a relationship period, like California's 30 day rule for emotional support dogs, or a set number of sessions, like Louisiana's two session rule, your evaluation follows that timeline. The how it works page shows typical timing by state.
Independent clinical judgment
Clinical decisions are independent. Pet ESA Service handles the assessment, payment, scheduling and verification support, while the decision about documentation belongs to the clinician. If they do not approve your completed assessment, you receive a 100% refund.
That independence is what gives a letter its value. A letter means something to a housing provider because a licensed professional made a real decision and is willing to stand behind it when asked.
What our clinicians will never do
These are firm lines for every clinician in our network, and for Pet ESA Service as a company. Read more in our standards.
- Sell a letter without an evaluation
- Sign a prewritten template that does not reflect your situation
- Approve someone because they paid
- Write documentation in a state where they are not licensed
- Put your diagnosis in a letter meant for a landlord
- Describe an ESA as having public access rights or airline cabin rights
How to verify your clinician's license
Every letter lists the clinician's name, license type, license number and issuing state. To check it, go to the licensing board for that profession in that state, search by name or license number, and confirm that the license is active and the details match. Our guide on how to verify a clinician's license walks through it.
You can do this yourself before sharing your letter, and your housing provider can do the same. If anything does not match, email hello@petesaservice.com and we will look into it.
Join our clinician network
Pet ESA Service is growing its network of licensed mental health professionals who want to provide careful telehealth evaluations for ESA and psychiatric service dog documentation. We welcome LCSWs, LPCs, LMHCs, LMFTs and psychologists who hold an active license in good standing and are comfortable following state specific documentation rules.
If you are interested, email hello@petesaservice.com with your name, license type, license number, the states where you are licensed and a short note about your clinical experience. Clinicians in our network keep full control of their clinical decisions, including the decision not to approve.
If you are looking for an evaluation rather than joining us, start the free assessment and we will match you with a clinician licensed in your state.
Frequently asked questions
Are your clinicians licensed professionals?
Yes. Every evaluation is done by a licensed mental health professional with an active license in your state, and every letter lists the license number and issuing state so you can check it on the state board's website.
Do ESA letters have to come from a doctor?
No. Licensed mental health professionals such as LCSWs, LPCs, LMHCs, LMFTs and psychologists commonly write ESA letters, and state laws generally recognize them. Some states list the professions that qualify, so check your state page.
Will my clinician talk with me?
Your clinician connects with you by phone or video when your state's rules or their clinical judgment call for it. You can also ask them about the letter and the process.
What if my clinician does not approve me?
You receive a 100% refund of your evaluation payment. The decision is the clinician's alone, and it reflects whether ESA documentation is clinically appropriate for you right now.
How do licensed professionals join Pet ESA Service?
Email hello@petesaservice.com with your name, license type, license number, states of licensure and a short note on your experience. We will reply with next steps.
Sources and further reading
Ready when you are.
Take the free assessment in about 5 to 10 minutes. A clinician licensed in your state makes the decision, and you get 100% back if you are not approved.