Coggins Test Requirements in Nevada: What Every Horse Owner Needs to Know

If you own, transport, or compete with horses in Nevada, the Coggins test is one regulation you cannot afford to overlook. Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) is a viral disease transmitted through blood contact in equine species — including horses, donkeys, and mules — that can cause fever, weakness, swelling, irregular heartbeat, and low red blood cell count. There is no cure, no federally approved vaccine, and no second chances once a horse tests positive.

Nevada enforces strict EIA testing rules under Nevada Administrative Code (NAC) Chapter 571 and the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 571. Whether you are bringing a horse into the state, hauling to a show, or purchasing a new animal, understanding exactly when a Coggins test is required — and what the consequences of non-compliance are — protects both your horses and your wallet. You may also want to review brand inspection requirements in Nevada, which often apply alongside EIA documentation during transport.

What Is Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) and Why It Is Regulated in Nevada

The Coggins test is a blood test that detects antibodies against the Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV). Developed in the 1970s by Dr. Leroy Coggins, it remains the gold standard for EIA diagnosis. The disease it screens for is one of the most dangerous threats in equine medicine precisely because infected animals may look completely healthy.

Common sources of transmission are blood-feeding insects such as flies, or the reuse of infected needles and other contaminated medical, dental, or tattoo equipment. EIA cannot be spread through coughs, sneezes, or casual contact, and it cannot be transmitted to humans — it is not a public health risk. That said, its impact on the equine population can be severe.

Infected horses may not show symptoms but remain carriers for life, making routine testing key to prevention of spread of this disease. EIA is a reportable disease, meaning when veterinarians diagnose it, they are required to notify the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), per NRS 571.160. The NDA’s authority to regulate EIA testing and movement of equines flows directly from this reporting obligation and the state’s broader disease-control framework under NRS Chapter 571.

Key Insight: The national prevalence of EIA in the U.S. equine population is very low. According to the USDA-APHIS 2024 EIA report, the estimated national prevalence is around 0.004 percent — but recent outbreaks linked to iatrogenic transmission (contaminated equipment) show the disease can resurface quickly in any state.

Which Animals Require a Coggins Test in Nevada

Under Nevada’s administrative code, “horse” means any member of the equine family, including any horse, mule, or ass. This broad definition means that the Coggins test requirement is not limited to horses alone — mules, donkeys, and other equids fall under the same rules.

USDA regulations similarly define an equine as any animal in the Family Equidae, including horses, asses, mules, ponies, and zebras. For practical purposes in Nevada, if the animal has hooves and belongs to the equine family, EIA testing rules apply.

There is one limited exemption under NAC 571.030. A nursing foal that is less than 6 months of age and accompanied by its dam is exempt from testing for equine infectious anemia, provided the dam has reacted negatively to such a test. All other equines — regardless of age or breed — are subject to the standard testing requirements when entry into Nevada or regulated movement is involved.

When a Coggins Test Is Required in Nevada

Nevada’s Coggins test requirements are triggered by several distinct situations. The most common is interstate entry. A person shall not ship, transport, or otherwise move a horse, mule, or ass into Nevada unless the animal is accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection and reacts negatively to a test for equine infectious anemia conducted within one year before the date of entry into the state.

Beyond entry into Nevada, testing is expected in a number of other scenarios:

• Equine events and competitions: EIA tests are required in both the United States and Canada when traveling with horses, participating in shows, sales, breeding programs, and for general disease surveillance to prevent the spread of this lifelong infection.
• Purchase and sale: A valid Coggins certificate (VS Form 10-11) is needed for buying and selling horses.
• Boarding and new herd introductions: Horses should have a routine testing schedule for EIA and should be tested prior to attending events, and at the time of purchase examination.

Working with a veterinarian on a quarantine and/or retesting protocol prior to introducing a new horse to current horses is strongly recommended by the NDA. The 12-month validity window on a Coggins test means you should plan testing well in advance of any travel or event season.

Pro Tip: Some events and destination states require a Coggins test dated within 6 months rather than 12. Always confirm requirements with the specific venue or receiving state before you load up the trailer. See our guide to livestock trailer requirements in Nevada for additional transport compliance details.

How the Coggins Test Works and Approved Testing Methods in Nevada

The Coggins test is a blood-based serological screening. Blood samples collected for the purpose of testing for equine infectious anemia must be done by a practicing veterinarian at the owner’s request and expense, or by a veterinarian employed by the Federal Government or the state of Nevada. You cannot collect and submit a sample yourself — a licensed or accredited veterinarian must perform the draw.

A complete, positive identification of the horse must be made by the veterinarian at the time of the blood sample collection. This identification step is critical: it ties the test result to a specific animal and prevents fraudulent use of another horse’s paperwork.

Two testing methods are approved under federal and Nevada regulations:

• AGID (Agar Gel Immunodiffusion): Positive diagnosis is made by using the agar gel immunodiffusion test (Coggins Test) or other approved tests conducted at any laboratory approved and recognized as an official laboratory for the diagnosis of equine infectious anemia. The AGID test typically returns results in 24–48 hours.
• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): Although the internationally accepted serological test is the agar gel immunodiffusion (Coggins) test, a variety of ELISAs are increasingly accepted because they can provide rapid results. ELISAs are often used for screening; however, because they can give a higher rate of false positives, all positive ELISA results must be confirmed by the Coggins test.

All tests required for entry of an animal into Nevada must be performed or confirmed at an official laboratory before a health certificate or an entry permit is issued. Digital Coggins certificates are fully accepted. Starting April 15, 2020, all veterinarians and laboratories must use USDA-approved EIA test forms. GlobalVetLink’s digital EIA certificates include the statement “Official EIA Test Form, Approved by USDA Veterinary Services March 2020, GVL” and meet all current federal requirements.

Once resulted, Coggins papers are valid for up to one year; however, some states or shows may require a negative Coggins test within six months of the event or transportation. Keep both digital and paper copies accessible during any travel.

Interstate Movement and Import Requirements in Nevada

Moving horses across state lines into Nevada requires more than just a Coggins test. Equine species are required to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and a negative EIA (Coggins) test within 12 months prior to entry as part of Nevada’s entry requirements. Both documents must travel with the horse.

Any horse transported beyond 75 miles within the state or across state borders must have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued by a licensed veterinarian, confirming the horse is free from contagious diseases. For intrastate travel under 75 miles, a CVI may not be required, but for travel within the state of Nevada, you must have current valid brand inspection papers.

For horse owners who travel frequently, Nevada 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.

Nevada also offers an Equine Interstate Event Permit (EIEP), or “horse passport,” valid for six months. This permit allows multiple trips without requiring a new CVI for each movement. However, it is only accepted in participating states, so owners must verify whether their destination recognizes it. Obtaining the permit requires an initial veterinary examination, proof of a recent Coggins test, and submission of travel records.

For horses entering Nevada from other countries, the requirements are even stricter. Any horses entering the U.S. from other countries require testing and quarantine prior to entry. For international travel, health certificates are more involved and require the signature of the federal veterinarian. Plan well ahead of any international movement.

Important Note: Receiving states and countries often impose additional requirements or restrictions for animals originating from states affected by equine disease outbreaks. Verify all entry requirements with the destination state or country prior to any out-of-state movement.

What Happens When a Horse Tests Positive in Nevada

A positive EIA result sets off an immediate regulatory response. Positive EIA tests are reported by the laboratory to local state or federal animal health officials within two days of discovery, as EIA is a regulated disease in the U.S. In Nevada, the NDA State Veterinarian’s office takes over from that point.

An owner of a horse on which the approved test is to be conducted must be advised as to the agreed procedure that is to follow in the event the animal is positive to the official test, and an agreement must be signed by the owner in which the owner agrees to the disposition of the horse as outlined. This means you will be asked to acknowledge the potential outcomes before testing even begins.

Once a positive result is confirmed, the options are stark. Management choices for EIA-positive horses include either euthanasia or lifelong quarantine with permanent isolation, including being at least 200 yards from any other horses. There is no known treatment for EIA. Infected horses are lifelong carriers of the virus and can potentially infect other horses.

Nevada’s administrative code also requires physical identification of EIA reactors. An equine positive to the approved test must be branded on the left side of the neck with a hot or cold brand with the number “88” followed by the letter “A.” This permanent mark ensures the animal’s status is visible to anyone who encounters it in the future.

Quarantine, Euthanasia, and Isolation Rules in Nevada

Nevada’s quarantine framework for EIA-positive horses is codified under NAC 571.400. An equine found positive to the approved test must be quarantined to the premises of origin as provided by law. The quarantine is not optional and takes effect immediately upon confirmation of a positive result.

If not euthanized, horses must be permanently quarantined with separation from non-infected horses by at least 200 yards to prevent spread of the disease by biting flies. This 200-yard buffer is not arbitrary — it reflects the flight range of the biting flies (primarily horseflies and deerflies) that serve as the primary natural transmission vectors for EIAV.

Movement of a quarantined horse is tightly restricted. Infected horses cannot be moved from quarantined premises except by approval of state and federal animal health officials. Permission may be granted by the Nevada Department of Agriculture to move reactor animals if such movement is in the best interest of all concerned. A horse under quarantine will be released only upon the death of the reactor, or if it is legally removed from the state under permit, and such testing of all other horses on the premises shows they are negative to this disease as required.

The branding and quarantining must be by or under the supervision of a veterinarian employed by the state or the federal government, when satisfied that the animal to be branded and quarantined is a positive reactor. If euthanasia is chosen, horses are usually euthanized for the disease to prevent ongoing transmission to other horses.

All horses that shared the same premises as a positive reactor are considered exposed. Any horse that resides with or near positive horses, as well as nursing offspring of the positive horse or exposed horse, must be evaluated. The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) EIA Disease Guidelines recommend testing all cohorts as part of any positive-case investigation.

Pro Tip: If you are purchasing a horse, test the horse at the time of purchase examination and work with a veterinarian on a quarantine and/or retesting protocol prior to introducing a new horse to your current horses. This step alone can prevent a positive animal from ever entering your herd.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Nevada

Nevada does not treat EIA regulation violations as minor administrative matters. The penalty framework under NRS Chapter 571 carries both civil and criminal exposure for owners and transporters who fail to comply.

Under NRS 571.090, it is unlawful for any railroad, express company, or other common carrier, or any persons, to import into or transport through the State of Nevada any animals in violation of the provisions of NRS 571.045 to 571.110, inclusive, or to make delivery of any such animals to any persons within the limits of the state. This applies equally to individual horse owners hauling their own animals.

A person or the person’s agent or employee shall not bring any animal into Nevada unless he or she has obtained a health certificate showing that the animal is free from contagious, infectious, or parasitic diseases or exposure thereto. Transporting an equine into Nevada without a valid CVI and current negative Coggins test is a direct violation of this statute.

The consequences of non-compliance can include:

• Criminal charges: Violations of the quarantine and transport provisions under NRS 571.045–571.110 can result in criminal proceedings. In any criminal proceeding arising under these provisions, proof that an animal prohibited by proclamation of quarantine from importation into or transportation through Nevada was imported or transported in violation of the quarantine shall be deemed proof that the animal was diseased, exposed to disease, or infected.
• Civil penalties: NRS 571.250 establishes a separate penalty structure for violations of the diseased animals chapter, with fines collectible by the state.
• Seizure and destruction: Under NRS 571.080, animals transported in violation of quarantine are subject to seizure and may be treated, destroyed, or shipped at the owner’s expense.
• Loss of ownership rights: Failure to comply can result in fines, legal complications, or even loss of ownership rights.

Beyond the legal penalties, transporting an EIA-positive or untested horse exposes your entire herd — and every horse at any facility you visit — to a disease with no cure. The regulatory framework exists to protect the broader Nevada equine community, and enforcement reflects that seriousness.

For a broader view of how Nevada regulates animal ownership and movement, see our overviews of exotic pets that are legal in Nevada and fishing license requirements in Nevada. If you travel with horses to competitive events, you may also find it helpful to review hunting license requirements in Nevada for context on how the state manages other wildlife and animal-related regulations.

Always confirm the most current Nevada entry requirements directly with the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s Equine page before any transport, as requirements can be updated ahead of event seasons or during active disease outbreaks. The NDA State Veterinarian can be reached for disease reporting at diseasereporting@agri.nv.gov.