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Arkansas · Law guide · Updated October 2026
Arkansas Emotional Support Animal Laws in 2026
Arkansas is one of the states with its own emotional support animal statute. Act 268 of 2023 defines ESAs, sets rules for anyone selling ESA gear or dogs, and controls who may write an emotional support dog letter and when. Here is the whole picture in plain words, along with the federal changes of 2025 and 2026.
Read against Act 268
Licensed in-state
Zero-cost start
Dates That Shaped the Rules
Mar 13, 2023Act 268 approved
Nov 28, 2024Arkansas rabies rules take effect
Sep 17, 2025HUD withdraws its assistance animal notices
May 22, 2026HUD rescinds its 2020 notice for good
A free first look under Arkansas law
Have an Arkansas Clinician Apply the Law to You
A statute can say what a letter needs; only a licensed clinician can say whether you need one. The screening costs nothing to complete. A provider licensed in Arkansas reviews it, and if the animal is a dog, any letter follows the timing set in 20-14-1003.
- Nothing charged to apply
- No obligation to continue
- Dog timing per 20-14-1003
Screening
Tell us about your health, your animal and your housing.
Evaluation
The screening goes to an Arkansas-licensed clinician, who meets you by video when appropriate.
Outcome
A supported letter is emailed when you choose a plan; an unsupported one costs nothing.
Act 268 in Plain Words
House Bill 1420 added a new subchapter, Ark. Code 20-14-1001 to 20-14-1004. It does three things: it defines terms, it requires written notices from anyone who sells or provides an emotional support dog or ESA gear, and it limits when a healthcare provider may document the need for an emotional support dog. It also sets civil penalties and says it does not change existing rights to reasonable accommodation and equal access to housing.
Emotional support animal
Gives emotional, cognitive or similar support to a person with a disability; no training or certification needed.
Emotional support dog
The same definition, for a dog; the documentation rules apply to dogs.
Healthcare provider
Licensed, certified or otherwise authorized by Arkansas law to provide health care.
Service animal
As defined in federal rule 28 C.F.R. 36.104 on January 1, 2023.
Simple, Transparent Pricing for Arkansas ESA and PSD Letters
Clear pricing for emotional support animal and psychiatric service dog letters written by a licensed mental health professional. Your screening is free, and you pay only if a clinician supports a letter and you decide to continue.
ESA Housing Letter For One Pet
$149
Best option for most renters with one emotional support animal
- Free online screening with a licensed psychotherapist
- Telehealth evaluation when clinically indicated
- Letter written for ESA housing requests
- Digital delivery after approval
- Follow up clarification for landlords included
Most Popular
ESA Housing Letter For Multiple Pets
$159
For people who have more than one emotional support animal in the home
- Free clinical screening that covers up to three ESA dogs or cats
- All approved animals listed together on a single ESA housing letter
- Letter tailored for apartments and rental homes
- Digital delivery after approval
- Support for landlord questions about pet deposits and rent
Psychiatric Service Dog Evaluation
$199
For people who may qualify for a task-trained psychiatric service dog
- Free initial screening with a licensed psychotherapist
- Telehealth evaluation focused on symptoms and the tasks the dog is trained to do
- Letter describing the disability-related need and task support
- Clinically grounded documentation, not a generic certificate
- Follow up clarification for housing providers included
Bundle Packages
Save more with combined document bundles
BUNDLE
ESA Letter + Certificate Bundle
$199
ESA letter and certificate in one package
- ESA letter from a licensed professional
- ESA certificate with QR code verification
- Digital delivery after approval
- Valid for 1 year with renewal reminders
BEST VALUE
PSD Letter + Certificate + ID Card
$225
Complete PSD documentation: letter, certificate and ID card
- PSD letter from a licensed professional
- PSD certificate with QR code verification
- PSD ID card with photo and barcode
- Digital delivery after approval
Clinically reviewed
Secure payment
No hidden fees
American Service Animals does not sell ESA registrations. All letters are based on real clinical evaluations.
Under Ark. Code 20-14-1003, emotional support dog documentation follows at least 30 days of a client-provider relationship, unless you are verified as homeless. Processing times do not shorten that period.
Six Conditions Before Any Dog Letter in Arkansas
Ark. Code 20-14-1003 sets these conditions before a healthcare provider may document a person's need for an emotional support dog. Act 268 sets no matching list for cats or other animals.
Licensed where it is issued
The provider works within the scope of a license held in the jurisdiction where the documentation is provided.
Thirty days of care first
The client-provider relationship must be at least 30 days old, unless the person is verified as homeless.
An evaluation every year
A clinical evaluation of the need for an emotional support dog happens at least once each year.
A spoken or written warning
The person hears or reads that passing an animal off as a service animal can bring a civil penalty under 20-14-310.
A yearly renewal review
Renewing the documentation takes a fresh look at the need, once a year.
Under subsection (b), a provider who breaks these conditions may face discipline from the provider's own licensing board.
Which Arkansas Letter Fits Your Animal
Four documents, and how Act 268 treats each one.
ESA housing letter
Supports a reasonable accommodation request under fair housing law.
Emotional support dog letter
Must meet the six provider conditions listed above.
Psychiatric service dog letter
For a dog trained for tasks, the ADA definition Arkansas adopts.
Card and certificate
Some bundles include one as a summary, with the notice below.
Arkansas notice (Ark. Code 20-14-1002): A certificate, identification card or tag does not entitle an emotional support animal to the rights and privileges accorded by law to a service dog. Misrepresenting an animal as a service animal may subject an individual to a civil penalty under Ark. Code 20-14-310.
Written Notices Arkansas Sellers Owe Buyers
Ark. Code 20-14-1002 requires two different notices, depending on what is sold or given.
Handing over a dog as an emotional support dog
- The dog lacks the special training required of a service animal.
- It does not carry the rights and privileges the law gives a service animal.
- Misrepresenting an animal as a service animal may lead to a civil penalty under 20-14-310.
Selling a certificate, ID, tag, vest, leash or harness
- The item does not give an emotional support animal the rights and privileges of a service dog.
- The same civil penalty warning under 20-14-310 must appear with it.
Both notices must be printed in bold, at least 12-point type, on the receipt for the dog, on the product itself or on a separate piece of paper.
Penalties and Who Enforces Them
Fixed civil penalties under Ark. Code 20-14-1004, which climb with each repeat violation.
- $500First violation
- $1,000Second violation
- $2,500Third and any later violation
Who can bring the case
Covered: knowingly and fraudulently representing, selling or offering an emotional support dog as entitled to service animal rights, or trying to, and breaking the notice rules.
- The Attorney General
- The prosecuting attorney of the county where it happened
- The county attorney of that county
- The city attorney of that city
Federal and State Rules That Sit Beside Act 268
Act 268 says it does not restrict or change existing federal or state law on reasonable accommodation and equal access to housing. These are the rules around it.
Federal
Fair Housing Act
The act itself is unchanged. HUD rescinded its 2013 and 2020 assistance animal notices on September 17, 2025, and a May 22, 2026 HUD memo says HUD now finds reasonable cause only for animals trained to do disability-related work.
Federal
Air travel
Under 14 C.F.R. 382.3, emotional support animals are not service animals for air travel, so an airline may handle one as a pet.
Arkansas
Arkansas Fair Housing Commission
A quasi-judicial agency that works with HUD to enforce fair housing rules, reached today through the Arkansas Department of Inspector General.
Arkansas
Rabies vaccination
Under Arkansas Department of Health rules in effect since November 28, 2024, a dog or cat needs a rabies shot from four months of age, within 30 days of arriving if unvaccinated, and again during the twelfth month after the first one.
Arkansas Law Questions by Code Section
Six short answers, each tagged with the part of the law it comes from.
20-14-1001
What does Arkansas law call an emotional support animal?
An animal that provides emotional, cognitive or other similar support to an individual with a disability and does not need to be trained or certified.
20-14-1001(4)
How does Arkansas define a service animal?
By reference to the federal ADA definition in 28 C.F.R. 36.104, as it existed on January 1, 2023.
20-14-1004
Who can bring a case over a false emotional support dog claim?
The Attorney General, or the prosecuting attorney, county attorney or city attorney where the violation happened, can bring an action for civil penalties.
Act 268
When was Act 268 signed?
It was approved on March 13, 2023, as House Bill 1420 of the 94th General Assembly.
Federal
Does Arkansas protect ESAs on airplanes?
No Arkansas rule does. Under federal Department of Transportation rules, airlines may treat emotional support animals as pets.
Housing
Where do Arkansas fair housing complaints go?
To the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission, a quasi-judicial agency that works with HUD and is now reached through the Arkansas Department of Inspector General.
Arkansas Guides by Topic
Four more Arkansas pages that pick up where this guide stops.
Get Screened Under Arkansas Rules
A clinician licensed in Arkansas can tell you which letter, if any, fits your situation and the timing the law sets.
Pay if approved
All 75 counties
Plain rules
