How to Prepare a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI): A Producer's Guide

What Is a CVI?

A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is the official health document required for the interstate movement of livestock. It is sometimes called an “interstate health certificate” or “ICVI” (Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection). The document serves two functions simultaneously: it certifies that a veterinarian has examined the animals and found them to be in good health, and it creates a record of the movement for disease traceability purposes.

The CVI is a legal document. It carries the weight of the veterinarian's professional license and USDA accreditation. Falsifying a CVI is a federal offense. Transporting cattle interstate without one is a violation of both federal and state law in most jurisdictions.

Think of it this way: just as a passport allows a person to cross an international border, a CVI allows cattle to cross state borders. Without it, the animals are not legally authorized to enter the destination state.

Who Issues a CVI?

Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue a CVI. USDA accreditation is a federal credential that is separate from state veterinary licensure. A vet must hold both a valid state license and USDA accreditation in the state where the animals are located.

To become USDA-accredited, a veterinarian must complete specific training modules administered by APHIS. This training covers federal animal health regulations, disease recognition, and the proper procedures for interstate movement documentation. Not all veterinarians are accredited — a small-animal-only practitioner, for example, may not have pursued accreditation.

If you are unsure whether your vet is USDA-accredited, ask them directly. You can also contact your APHIS area veterinarian in charge (AVIC) or your state veterinarian's office for a list of accredited veterinarians in your area.

What Information Is on a CVI

A CVI contains detailed information about the animals, the people involved, and the movement itself. Here is what your vet will need to include:

About the People

• Consignor (shipper): Full legal name, physical address, phone number
• Consignee (receiver): Full legal name, physical address, phone number
• Origin premises address (if different from consignor address)
• Destination premises address (if different from consignee address)

About the Animals

• Individual identification: Official ID number for each animal (840 RFID for dairy cattle)
• Species: Bovine
• Breed: Holstein, Jersey, etc.
• Sex: Female, male (intact), steer
• Age or date of birth: May be exact or estimated
• Total number of animals

About the Movement

• Purpose: Sale, breeding, exhibition, grazing, feedlot, slaughter
• Date of physical inspection
• Origin and destination states

Disease Test Results

• TB test date, reading date, and result (if required)
• Brucellosis test date, lab, and result (if required)
• Trichomoniasis test date, lab, and result (if required for bulls)
• Any other tests required by the destination state

Veterinarian Credentials

• Veterinarian's name, address, and phone number
• State veterinary license number
• USDA accreditation number
• Signature and date
• Health remarks or additional observations

How to Prepare Before Calling Your Vet

The most efficient CVI appointments happen when the producer comes prepared. Your vet's time is valuable, and having information ready in advance reduces errors and speeds up the process. Here is what to gather:

What Your Vet Checks During the Inspection

The CVI requires the veterinarian to physically examine the animals. This is not a paperwork-only exercise. During the inspection, your vet will:

• Visual health assessment: Observe each animal for signs of illness, lameness, respiratory distress, eye or nasal discharge, skin lesions, or other abnormalities
• Temperature check: Some vets take temperatures, especially if animals appear lethargic or have been recently stressed
• Identity verification: Confirm that each animal's official ID matches the animal list, scan RFID tags, and verify that tags are securely attached
• Disease test verification: Review lab reports for required tests and confirm results are negative and within the validity window
• Reproductive status: For females, note pregnancy status if relevant to the destination state's requirements
• Overall condition: Ensure animals are fit for transport (not too thin, not injured, capable of bearing weight on all four limbs)

The vet will then complete and sign the CVI, distribute copies to the required parties (typically the producer, the destination state veterinarian, and the origin state veterinarian), and provide you with the original or official electronic version to travel with the animals.

Common Reasons a CVI Gets Rejected at the Border

State animal health officials and livestock market inspectors review CVIs carefully. Here are the most common reasons a CVI is rejected or flagged:

• 1.

  Expired CVI. The CVI was issued more than 30 days ago (or whatever the destination state's validity period is). This is the most common rejection reason. The countdown starts from the date of physical inspection.

• 2.

  Missing required disease tests. The destination state requires a TB or brucellosis test, but the CVI does not include the results, or the results have expired.

• 3.

  Wrong ID type for dairy cattle. The animals are dairy but identified with visual-only tags instead of 840 RFID. Under the current ADT rule, this is a non-negotiable requirement.

• 4.

  Mismatch between animals and CVI. The number or identification of animals in the truck does not match what is listed on the CVI. If you added or removed animals after the vet inspection, the CVI is invalid.

• 5.

  Incomplete information. Missing consignee address, missing vet accreditation number, missing breed or sex information. Electronic CVI systems catch many of these errors before issuance, but paper CVIs are still susceptible.

• 6.

  Vet not accredited in the correct state. The veterinarian must be USDA-accredited in the state where the animals were examined. An accreditation from a different state is not valid.

Electronic vs. Paper CVIs

CVIs can be issued in either paper or electronic format. Both are legally valid, but the industry is moving strongly toward electronic.

Who Gets Copies of the CVI

Regardless of format, copies of the completed CVI must be distributed to three parties: the producer/shipper (who carries the original during transport), the origin state veterinarian's office, and the destination state veterinarian's office. With eCVIs, this distribution happens automatically through the electronic platform. With paper CVIs, the issuing veterinarian must mail copies to both state offices, which can result in delays.

Paper CVIs

• Printed on multi-part forms (typically 3-4 copies)
• Handwritten or typed by the veterinarian
• Copies must be mailed by the issuing vet to origin and destination state veterinarian offices
• Susceptible to illegibility, transcription errors, and postal delays
• Harder to retrieve for record-keeping and traceability

Electronic CVIs (eCVIs)

• Created in a digital system (GlobalVetLink, VSPS, or other approved platforms)
• Automatically distributed to origin and destination state veterinarian offices
• Integrate with state animal health systems (USAHERDS, EMRS) for faster processing
• Built-in validation catches missing information and expired tests before issuance
• Easier to search, retrieve, and archive for record-keeping
• Available immediately — no waiting for mail delivery

All 50 states accept eCVIs, and most state veterinarian offices prefer them because they arrive faster and are easier to process. If your vet offers eCVI issuance, it is almost always the better choice. Note that some eCVI platforms require the Premises Identification Number (PIN) for both the origin and destination premises. If you do not already have a PIN, you can obtain one through your state veterinarian's office or USDA APHIS.

How Long to Keep CVI Records

Federal regulations under 9 CFR Part 86 require accredited veterinarians and state officials to maintain CVI records for a minimum of 5 years. Producers should retain their copies for at least 7 years as a best practice, as disease investigations can reach back many years and having organized records demonstrates compliance. USDA APHIS maintains its own records of CVIs processed through state systems, but producers should keep their own copies as well.

Records to retain include:

• The CVI itself (original or electronic copy)
• All disease test reports referenced on the CVI
• Any entry permits required by the destination state
• Bill of lading or transport documentation
• Correspondence with state veterinarian offices

In a disease investigation, officials may request movement records going back years. Having organized, accessible records can expedite the process and demonstrate compliance. Digital storage (scanned documents, electronic CVIs) is acceptable and often more reliable than paper files.

Frequently Asked Questions

References

• 9 CFR Part 86 — Animal Disease Traceability
• USDA APHIS — Animal Disease Traceability for Cattle
• GlobalVetLink — Electronic CVI Platform
• United States Animal Health Association (USAHA)

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