ESA letter questions, answered.

A signed letter from a licensed mental health professional stating that you have a disability and a disability related need for an emotional support animal. It supports a reasonable accommodation request in housing. Read what an ESA letter can and cannot do.

Take the free assessment, choose your evaluation, and a clinician licensed in your state reviews your answers and connects with you by phone or video when needed. If an ESA is clinically appropriate, your letter arrives by email.

Licensed mental health professionals such as LCSWs, LPCs, LMHCs, LMFTs, psychologists and psychiatrists, and in many states physicians and nurse practitioners. Some states add license and relationship rules. See who can write an ESA letter.

There is no automatic list. A clinician considers whether a mental or emotional condition substantially limits a major life activity and whether your animal helps with its symptoms. Common examples include anxiety, depression and PTSD. See what disabilities qualify.

Rarely, and you should be cautious of anyone promising it. A real evaluation comes first. Most Pet ESA Service clients receive documentation within 24 to 72 hours of the evaluation, and some states require 30 days.

Your clinician connects with you by phone or video when your state's rules or their clinical judgment call for it. Some states, such as Louisiana, require sessions; Colorado requires in person contact for some license types.

$89 for one pet, $109 for two, $129 for three, $149 for four, $79 for a renewal and $99 for a PSD evaluation. One time, no subscription. See pricing.

You get 100% of your evaluation payment back. See the refund policy.

No. Landlord verification help is included, and there are no rush, form or subscription fees.

It depends on where you live. HUD's May 22, 2026 memo limits federal enforcement to trained animals, but the Fair Housing Act, private lawsuits, Section 504 and many state laws still apply. Several states, including California, Massachusetts, Maryland and South Carolina, say their laws still protect untrained ESAs. See the 2026 HUD guide.

Some states ban it, including Illinois, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Minnesota, Maine, Utah, Florida and Wisconsin. Elsewhere, courts have split. See pet fees and accommodation requests.

Generally no. A landlord may ask for reliable documentation of a disability and need that are not obvious, but several states expressly bar requests for a diagnosis or medical records. See what landlords can ask.

By checking the clinician's license on the state board website and, with your consent, confirming authenticity with us. Landlords can use our verification request.

Yes. Colleges handle ESA requests under Section 504 and the ADA, which HUD's memo does not address. Apply early. See ESA requests in college housing.

Federal law sets no expiration, but Iowa findings are valid for 12 months and Arkansas requires yearly evaluations for dogs. Many landlords ask for a letter from the past year. See do ESA letters expire.

No. There is no official ESA registry in the United States. See ESA registration.

Airlines treat ESAs as pets under the Department of Transportation's rule in effect since January 11, 2021. Trained service dogs fly with the DOT form. See flying with an ESA.

Not under the ADA, which covers only trained service dogs. Store policies apply. See ESAs in stores and restaurants.

Hotels may treat ESAs as pets. Choose pet friendly lodging. See hotels and travel.

A psychiatric service dog is individually trained to perform tasks related to a psychiatric disability. An ESA helps through its presence. See ESA vs psychiatric service dog.

Not for public access under the ADA. A letter helps with housing and some school or work accommodation requests. See the PSD evaluation.

Yes. The ADA does not require professional training or certification. See training your own PSD.

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Email hello@petesaservice.com or use the contact form. Most messages are answered within one business day.