Dog Breeder Licensing Requirements by State
Find out if you need a license to breed dogs in your state. We cover all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, plus USDA federal rules, with links to official sources.
Explore the Map
Click any state to see its dog breeder licensing requirements.
USDA / APHIS Federal Licensing
Learn when a federal license is required for selling dogs sight-unseen and what the Animal Welfare Act means for breeders.
View federal requirementsUSDA License Lookup
Search and verify any USDA-licensed dog breeder or dealer. Our database includes 2,804 active Class A and Class B licensees. Note: these federal licenses cover many animal species, so a listing doesn't necessarily mean the licensee breeds dogs.
Search the databaseAll States & Territories
Alabama
ALNo state-level threshold exists. Breeders may need a federal USDA license if the...
Alaska
AKNo state-level threshold. A federal USDA license is required for breeders who ke...
Arizona
AZNo dedicated statewide breeder license. A county kennel permit is required under...
Arkansas
ARNo state-level breeder license threshold. Some municipalities require kennel per...
California
CANo statewide license threshold; the state Pet Breeder Warranty Act covers anyone...
Colorado
COMore than two litters of puppies produced or more than 24 dogs transferred in a ...
Connecticut
CTMore than 5 litters per year requires a local kennel license (Conn. Gen. Stat. 2...
Delaware
DENo breeder license threshold; an optional kennel license is available for more t...
Florida
FLNo mandatory statewide breeder license. Local county/city permits may apply, and...
Georgia
GASells more than one litter or more than 30 adult animals in any 12-month period,...
Hawaii
HINo statewide threshold exists for dog breeder licensing. Proposed 2026 legislati...
Idaho
IDNo statewide threshold. Local ordinances may limit the number of dogs, and a fed...
Illinois
ILMore than 5 unspayed female dogs capable of reproduction, when selling, exchangi...
Indiana
INMore than 19 unaltered female dogs 12 months of age or older
Iowa
IA4 or more breeding dogs or cats (sexually intact and over 12 months old), for a ...
Kansas
KSLicense required for anyone who produces for sale or sells 3 or more litters of ...
Kentucky
KYNo statewide threshold; local county and city ordinances vary, and a federal USD...
Louisiana
LAState law requires a kennel license for any individual or business that has five...
Maine
ME5 or more adult female dogs or cats capable of reproduction whose offspring are ...
Maryland
MD6 or more unspayed female dogs over 6 months old kept for breeding and selling t...
Massachusetts
MAKennel license required for any commercial boarding or training kennel, commerci...
Michigan
MIUnder state law, a kennel where 3 or more dogs are kept for sale, boarding, bree...
Minnesota
MN10 or more adult intact dogs or cats AND more than 5 litters per year
Mississippi
MSNo state threshold (Mississippi has no breeder license); a federal USDA license ...
Missouri
MOMore than 3 intact female dogs kept for breeding
Montana
MTNo statewide threshold. Local governments may require a kennel license once a br...
Nebraska
NELicense required for commercial dog or cat breeders and related operations; Neb....
Nevada
NVCommercial breeders who breed dogs for sale or trade; specific numeric threshold...
New Hampshire
NHA state pet vendor/kennel license is required once a person transfers dogs above...
New Jersey
NJState law requires a kennel license for any establishment where the business of ...
New Mexico
NMNo statewide threshold; local governments set their own rules, often based on th...
New York
NYBreeders who sell animals in the regular course of business generally need a lic...
North Carolina
NCA state dealer license is required only for those who sell, exchange, or donate ...
North Dakota
NDNo state threshold. Federal USDA rules may apply to breeders who keep more than ...
Ohio
OHCounty kennel registration is required for any establishment that keeps adult do...
Oklahoma
OK11 or more intact female dogs or cats (9 months or older) kept for breeding or f...
Oregon
ORNo state breeder license required. Care standards apply to facilities with 10 or...
Pennsylvania
PAKeeping, harboring, boarding, sheltering, selling, giving away, or transferring ...
Puerto Rico
PROwning 3 or more intact female dogs or cats for breeding purposes, or breeding a...
Rhode Island
RIBreeding dogs or cats for sale, unless you qualify as a hobby breeder (breeding ...
South Carolina
SCNo state threshold currently exists. Under pending S. 720, a 'professional dog b...
South Dakota
SDNo state threshold. South Dakota has no breeder license or breeder definition in...
Tennessee
TNNo current state-level license threshold. A federal USDA license is generally re...
Texas
TXPossesses five or more adult intact female dogs or cats (six months or older) an...
Utah
UTNo clear statewide license threshold. Local city and county governments may requ...
Vermont
VTSelling or exchanging dogs from 3 or more litters in any 12-month period
Virginia
VAAnyone who maintains 30 or more adult female dogs during any 12-month period, pr...
Washington
WANo statewide breeder license; local kennel/business permits may apply, and a fed...
Washington D.C.
DCMore than 25 animals bred and sold per year (commercial breeder license); 7 or m...
West Virginia
WVMaintaining 11 or more unsterilized dogs over one year old for the exclusive pur...
Wisconsin
WISelling at least 25 dogs per year from more than 3 litters
Wyoming
WYNo statewide threshold; requirements vary by local jurisdiction, and a federal U...
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to breed dogs?
It depends on your state and how many dogs you breed. Some states require a license if you have a certain number of breeding dogs or sell a certain number of litters per year. You may also need a USDA federal license if you sell dogs online or ship them to buyers. Check your state's page on this site for details.
What is the USDA breeder license?
The USDA breeder license is a federal license managed by APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service). It is required for breeders who maintain more than four breeding females and sell dogs sight-unseen (online, by phone, or by mail). Breeders with four or fewer breeding females who sell only offspring born and raised on their premises are exempt. This is separate from any state license you may need.
How much does a dog breeder license cost?
Costs vary widely by state. Some states have no licensing fee, while others charge between $50 and $500 or more per year. USDA federal license fees are based on the number of animals and type of business. Check your specific state's page for detailed fee information.
What happens if I breed dogs without a license?
Penalties for breeding dogs without a required license vary by state. They can include fines, seizure of animals, and in some cases criminal charges. It is important to check your state and federal requirements to make sure you are in compliance.
How many dogs can I breed without a license?
This depends on your state. Some states let you breed a small number of litters per year (often 1-2) without a license. Others set the threshold based on the number of intact female dogs you own, such as 5 or more. A few states do not require any breeder license at all. Check your state's page for the exact threshold.
Do hobby breeders need a license?
In many states, hobby breeders who produce only a small number of litters per year are exempt from licensing. However, the definition of "hobby breeder" varies. Some states still require registration even for small-scale breeders. If you sell any puppies, it is a good idea to check your state's requirements.
Do I need both a state and federal license to breed dogs?
You may need both. State licenses are based on your state's laws. A federal USDA license is required if you maintain more than four breeding females and sell dogs sight-unseen (online, by phone, or by mail). If you have four or fewer breeding females, or if you only sell face-to-face, you likely do not need a USDA license, but you may still need a state license.
What is the difference between a kennel license and a breeder license?
A kennel license allows you to keep a certain number of dogs on your property, while a breeder license specifically allows you to breed and sell dogs. Some states combine them into one permit. In other states, you may need both a local kennel license and a separate state breeder license. Check your state and local requirements.