Approved Rabies Serology Laboratories for Testing Dogs

Overview

CDC updates this list of laboratories in accordance with available data. On January 12, 2026, CDC updated the list of approved rabies serology laboratories for testing dogs (Table 1). For foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries, use Table 1 to ensure blood samples are sent to an approved laboratory for rabies serology testing.

CDC will still accept serology test results from laboratories that were removed from the approved list on January 12, 2026, (Table 2) but only if:

1. The sample was drawn on or before January 12, 2026, AND
2. The dog is imported into the United States on or before July 12, 2026

Important testing information for importing foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries for dog rabies into the United States:

• Rabies serology test results must be in English or accompanied by a certified translationA.
• Rabies serology test results must be provided directly from a CDC-approved laboratory and not from a third-party laboratory where the approved laboratory sent the test results.
• The estimated turnaround time for each CDC-approved laboratory varies. It is recommended to talk to the dog’s veterinarian about collecting a blood sample to send to a CDC-approved laboratory for a rabies serology titer at least 60 days or more before travel. If there are questions regarding estimated turnaround time, they should be directed to the CDC-approved laboratories.
• Serology blood samples must be drawn a minimum of 30 days after the dog’s initial valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before the date of importation. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is given.
• Test results are valid for the life of the dog as long as vaccination coverage does not lapse and as long as the laboratory remains approvedB.
• Serology test results are only required for dogs with a foreign-issued rabies vaccination certificate entering the United States from a high-risk country. Without these test results, the dogs will be required to undergo a 28-day quarantine with a reservation made before arrival to the U.S. after revaccination at an CDC-registered animal care facilities.

Table 1: Currently approved rabies serology labs for dogs

If you are importing a foreign-vaccinated dog from a high-risk country, provide rabies serology test results from one of these laboratories. If the laboratory is not on this list, see Table 2.

Table 2: Rabies serology labs recently removed from CDC approved list

The laboratories on the list below were recently removed from CDC's approved list. CDC will still accept serology test results from laboratories that were removed from the approved list on January 12, 2026, but only if:

1. The sample was drawn on or before January 12, 2026; AND
2. The dog is imported into the United States on or before July 12, 2026

If these conditions are not met, importers must obtain serology test results from a CDC-approved laboratory listed in Table 1.