Coggins Test and EIA Requirements in Kansas: What Every Horse Owner Must Know
July 26, 2026
If you own, sell, show, or transport horses in Kansas, a valid Coggins test is not optional — it is the law. The Kansas Department of Agriculture has updated its regulations related to Coggins test requirements, with key changes covering intrastate EIA testing and requirements for horses participating in showing, judging contests, or other types of public display. Whether you are a lifelong Kansas horseperson or new to the state, understanding exactly when a test is required — and what happens if you skip it — can save you from serious legal and financial consequences.
This page covers everything regulated under Kansas Administrative Regulation (KAR) 9-7-14, from which animals must be tested to what the state does when a horse tests positive. You will also find guidance on interstate movement paperwork, approved testing methods, and the penalties attached to non-compliance. For additional Kansas livestock transport rules, see our guide on livestock trailer requirements in Kansas.
What Is Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) and Why It Is Regulated in Kansas
Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is an incurable, infectious disease caused by a virus that can affect horses, donkeys, asses, and other equine species. The virus destroys red blood cells and spreads through blood-to-blood contact, not through close proximity or casual contact. The disease belongs to the same viral family as HIV in humans — and like HIV, once your horse is infected with EIA, it is infected for life.
Clinical signs of EIA include fever, anemia, and edema; however, affected horses may not show symptoms. All infected horses, including those that are asymptomatic, are carriers of the disease. That silent carrier status is precisely why testing is mandatory — you cannot identify an infected horse by sight alone.
The virus can be transmitted from an infected equine to a “clean” equine by biting flies, the use of unsterilized or contaminated medical instruments, or through a blood transfusion. This disease does not affect humans. EIA is a reportable animal disease in all states.
The United States Department of Agriculture reported that 61 horses out of 1,364,247 tested were positive for EIA in the United States in 2023. While that rate is extremely low, several horses tested positive for EIA in Kansas in July 2025, demonstrating that the threat is real and ongoing. There is no approved vaccine for EIA in the United States, which makes surveillance testing the only effective control tool available.
Key Insight: Because there is no vaccine or cure for EIA, the Coggins test is the state’s primary line of defense. Kansas updated its intrastate testing rules effective January 3, 2025, under KAR 9-7-14, expanding requirements beyond just horses crossing state lines.
Which Animals Require a Coggins Test in Kansas
Each equid entering Kansas, offered for sale in Kansas, changing ownership, or used for exhibition purposes — except a nursing foal six months of age or younger that is accompanied by its dam that has a current negative equine infectious anemia test — shall be identified individually on and accompanied by a complete USDA Veterinary Services Form 10-11, or an equivalent form approved by the animal health commissioner, that declares the equid has had an official negative test for equine infectious anemia within the previous 12 months.
In practical terms, this rule covers a broad range of equines. The term “equine” under federal and state guidelines includes any animal in the Family Equidae, including horses, asses, mules, ponies, and zebras. If you own any of these animals and plan to sell, show, or bring them into Kansas, a current negative Coggins test is required.
The one notable exemption is a nursing foal. A nursing foal six months of age or younger that is accompanied by its dam carrying a current negative EIA test is exempt from the individual testing requirement. Beyond that single carve-out, the rule applies broadly regardless of breed, use, or origin.
| Animal Type | Coggins Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Horses (all breeds) | Yes | Selling, showing, or entering Kansas |
| Mules and donkeys | Yes | Same requirements as horses |
| Ponies and miniature horses | Yes | No size or breed exemption |
| Nursing foals (6 months or younger) | No (conditional) | Only if dam has current negative test and foal remains with dam |
When a Coggins Test Is Required in Kansas
Starting in January 2025, all horses used for exhibition purposes in the state of Kansas are now required to have a current negative Coggins test dated within the previous 12 months, regardless of whether the horse is crossing state lines or originating from within the state of Kansas to attend the event. This is a significant expansion from prior rules that primarily focused on out-of-state horses.
Horses that are changing ownership are also required to have a current negative Coggins test dated within the previous 12 months. Horses with a current negative Coggins do not need to be retested, provided sellers relinquish a copy of the horse’s Coggins — represented by the USDA VS Form 10-11 — to the new owner at change of ownership.
If a horse has more than one Coggins during the previous 12 months, only the most recent test is considered valid. Keep that in mind if you tested a horse early in the year and then tested again before a show — only the later result counts for compliance purposes.
Pro Tip: The Kansas State Veterinary Health Center recommends having EIA testing performed annually on all of your horses so you are always prepared with a valid negative result on hand before a sale or exhibition opportunity arises.
The following situations trigger a mandatory Coggins test under KAR 9-7-14:
- Any equine entering Kansas from another state
- Any equine offered for sale in Kansas
- Any equine changing ownership within Kansas
- Any equine used for exhibition, showing, judging contests, or public display in Kansas
How the Coggins Test Works and Approved Testing Methods in Kansas
There are two different serological tests used for EIA testing. The agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) was developed by Dr. Leroy Coggins in 1970 and takes a few days to perform. The other test for EIA, enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA), is also an acceptable test and can be performed within a few hours.
Approved tests in Kansas include the AGID test (Coggins) and the ELISA test, both recorded on a VS Form 10-11. The AGID test is the most widely accepted procedure for the diagnosis of EIA. It detects antibody against the viral p26 antigen (major core protein) and is the only procedure that has been statistically correlated with the presence of EIA virus in blood.
When owners need Coggins test results back sooner, the ELISA EIA test can be performed. When requesting a “same day EIA test result,” it is critical that owners check in with their veterinarian or testing facility early, as the blood sample and submission forms often need to arrive at the lab early in the day.
All EIA testing must be completed at a USDA-approved laboratory; Kansas currently has 13 approved labs. In the event a test is determined to be suspect for EIA, the associated blood sample must be forwarded to the National Veterinary Sciences Laboratory in Ames, Iowa for confirmatory testing.
For the test paperwork to be valid, every detail must be complete. Coggins tests must be represented by the official USDA VS Form 10-11. This form must be completed in its entirety. Owner and stable information, the horse’s name, color, age, sex, and narrative description are required and cannot be modified once the Coggins test is finalized and reported out from the lab.
Only Category II accredited veterinarians, who are authorized to perform accredited duties in the state in which samples are collected, may submit samples to an APHIS-approved laboratory. Contact your local accredited veterinarian to schedule testing before any sale, show, or transport event.
Important Note: Most Coggins tests are now completed electronically. When submitting electronically, good-quality photos of the horse from multiple angles are required to correctly identify the animal and validate the test result.
Interstate Movement and Import Requirements in Kansas
A negative EIA test within the last 12 months is required for all equine entering Kansas, offered for sale in Kansas, changing ownership, or used for exhibition purposes in Kansas. Horses moving across state lines face additional documentation requirements beyond just the Coggins result.
The Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) must have been issued within 30 days prior to the animal’s movement into Kansas. Official identification must be individually listed on the accompanying CVI. The identification method must be approved by the animal health commissioner, including an official USDA ear tag or breed registration tattoo, as long as a copy of registration papers accompanies the CVI to the state office.
All horses six months of age or older must have tested negative for equine infectious anemia within 12 months of entry. The CVI and the Coggins test result are two separate documents — both are required for interstate movement into Kansas.
Kansas participates in the Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (EECVI) program. An EECVI is valid for six months from the CVI inspection date or until the horse’s current EIA/Coggins test expires, whichever comes first. Since EIA tests are typically valid for 12 months from the blood draw date, the EECVI expiration is determined by whichever date occurs sooner.
For electronic CVI submissions, Kansas only accepts the following electronic CVI formats: eCVI, GVL, VET-CVI, Vet Sentry, and VSPS. APHIS Form 7001 is not an acceptable document for interstate certificates of veterinary inspection for Kansas imports or exports.
Entry permits can be obtained either through the online permitting system or by calling the Kansas Import Desk at 785-564-6616. Issued permits are valid for 15 days.
| Document | Validity Period | Required For |
|---|---|---|
| Coggins Test (VS Form 10-11) | 12 months from blood draw | All equines entering, sold, shown, or changing ownership |
| Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) | 30 days from issuance | All equines entering Kansas from another state |
| EECVI | 6 months or until Coggins expires (whichever is sooner) | Multi-trip travel for horses with current Coggins |
| Entry Permit | 15 days | Rodeo stock and exhibition animals from out of state |
If you are hauling horses from out of state for events, also review the livestock trailer requirements in Kansas to make sure your transport equipment meets state standards before you hit the road.
What Happens When a Horse Tests Positive in Kansas
A positive EIA result triggers an immediate and structured state response. Following confirmation, the Kansas Department of Agriculture implements its disease response protocol. The affected facility and all horses on the premises are placed under quarantine. Preliminary results from follow-up testing may show that additional horses have also tested positive.
Horses that are infected with EIA virus are persistently infected, serving as lifelong carriers. They will always serve as a potential source of virus that can cause the spread of disease to other equids. There is no effective vaccine or treatment for this viral infection. Positive horses must either be kept isolated under lifelong quarantine with regulatory oversight or euthanized.
The KDA identifies a prescribed surveillance area within one-half mile of the affected premises and works with local officials and horse owners to identify any other horses that may have been within that surveillance area in order to test those animals. The surveillance area is identified based on risk associated with the potential transfer of the disease. EIA is mechanically transmitted via the mouth parts of biting flies, and research has shown that the EIA virus survives for a limited time on the mouth parts of the fly vectors, so the area of possible exposure is limited to a relatively small radius around the affected premises.
In the event a test is determined to be suspect for EIA, the associated blood sample must be forwarded to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa for confirmatory testing. A suspect result does not immediately trigger the same response as a confirmed positive — confirmatory testing must be completed first.
Quarantine, Euthanasia, and Isolation Rules in Kansas
Once a horse is confirmed positive for EIA in Kansas, the owner faces a stark choice with no middle ground. A confirmed EIA-positive equid must be euthanized or quarantined for life 200 yards away from any EIA-negative equid, as per USDA EIA program rules. Kansas follows these federal minimum standards and enforces them through the KDA Division of Animal Health.
Euthanasia is recommended for infected horses, as the only other option is to keep them in a biosecure facility that does not allow for any fly exposure — which is virtually impossible in many places. The 200-yard separation requirement is designed to place the infected animal beyond the effective flight range of the biting flies that transmit the disease.
Under Kansas statute K.S.A. 47-611, when the animal health commissioner determines that a quarantine is necessary to prevent the spread of any contagious or infectious disease among domestic animals, the commissioner shall notify the governor, who shall issue a proclamation announcing the boundary of the quarantine and the orders and rules prescribed by the commissioner. For smaller, localized outbreaks, the commissioner may act without a gubernatorial proclamation when the affected area is limited in extent.
To contain an outbreak, a surveillance zone within a quarter-mile of the affected premises is established. Officials work with local veterinarians and horse owners to identify and test any equines that may have had contact with infected animals. All horses within the surveillance zone should be tested promptly to prevent further spread.
A public livestock market shall not sell livestock or exotic animals that have been classified as positive for equine infectious anemia, or positive for any other disease as specified by the animal health commissioner. This prohibition extends to all public sale venues in Kansas, not just private transactions.
Important Note: If you purchase a horse and later discover it was EIA-positive at the time of sale, contact the KDA Division of Animal Health at 785-564-6601 immediately. Concealing a known positive status during a sale can expose the seller to criminal liability under Kansas livestock transport statutes.
Penalties for Non-Compliance in Kansas
Kansas treats EIA-related violations seriously, and the penalties reflect that. Violations can result in civil penalties, criminal charges, or both, depending on the nature and severity of the non-compliance.
Under K.S.A. 47-607c, transporting uninspected animals into Kansas — which includes moving equines without a valid Coggins test and CVI — carries both criminal and civil penalties. K.S.A. 47-607c addresses criminal and civil penalties for violations of transportation requirements, including the submission of records to the commissioner for review.
The most serious penalty applies to quarantine violations. Any person who knowingly and intentionally violates, disregards, or evades — or attempts to violate, disregard, or evade — any order establishing or regulating a quarantine issued pursuant to article 6 of chapter 47 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, upon conviction, shall be guilty of a severity level 7 nonperson felony. A felony conviction carries significant consequences including fines, potential imprisonment, and a lasting criminal record.
Beyond criminal exposure, each public livestock market operator, occasional livestock sale operator, or their representative shall maintain a copy of the equine infectious anemia test for each equidae sold at the public livestock market or the occasional livestock sale for at least five years from the date of sale. Failure to maintain these records is itself a violation subject to regulatory action.
- Moving an equine without a valid Coggins: Civil and criminal penalties under K.S.A. 47-607c
- Selling an equine without a current negative EIA test: Violation of KAR 9-7-14; subject to civil citation and fines
- Violating a quarantine order: Severity level 7 nonperson felony under K.S.A. 47-604
- Failure to maintain EIA test records (livestock markets): Regulatory violation subject to license action
Kansas horse owners should also be aware that EIA is a federally reportable disease. Animal health professionals — including veterinarians, diagnostic laboratories, and public health personnel — report diagnosed or suspected cases of nationally listed reportable animal diseases to APHIS Area Veterinarians in Charge. This means a positive result triggers both state and federal oversight simultaneously.
Staying current with your Coggins testing is the simplest way to avoid all of these consequences. Horse owners are encouraged to have EIA testing performed annually on all of their horses so they are always prepared and will have a negative Coggins test ready. Annual testing also gives you the flexibility to sell, show, or transport your horses on short notice without scrambling for last-minute paperwork.
For more information about animal health licensing requirements in neighboring states, see our articles on fishing license requirements in Kansas and hunting license requirements in Kansas. If you manage livestock across state lines, our guide on fishing license requirements in Arkansas and rabies vaccine requirements in Arkansas may also be relevant to your operations. To learn more about Kansas equine breeds, visit our overview of the fastest horse breeds.
For official guidance, contact the Kansas Department of Agriculture Division of Animal Health at 785-564-6601, or visit USDA APHIS for federal EIA program rules and approved laboratory listings.