Livestock Microchipping Laws in Indiana: What Producers Need to Know by Species

If you raise livestock in Indiana, you have probably heard the terms “microchip” and “RFID ear tag” used almost interchangeably. They are not the same thing under state and federal law, and confusing the two can cost you a failed inspection, a rejected Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), or a shipment turned away at a state line.

Indiana’s identification rules are enforced by the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH), and they vary significantly by species. Whether a microchip counts as official identification — or whether you need an RFID ear tag instead — depends entirely on which animal you are moving and why. This guide walks you through every major decision point so you can stay compliant with both state and federal requirements.

Microchipping vs. RFID Ear Tags: What Counts as Official ID in Indiana

A microchip and an RFID ear tag are both electronic identification devices, but they serve different roles in Indiana’s traceability system. An RFID ear tag is an external device clipped or buttoned into an animal’s ear. A microchip — formally called an Electronic Implantable Device (EID) or injectable transponder — is placed subcutaneously and cannot be seen or removed without a reader and a procedure.

BOAH recognizes three forms of identification as official for cattle and bison, and all are approved by USDA for interstate movements of livestock. For cattle, the primary form of official ID is the RFID ear tag — not an injectable microchip. All ear tags for cattle and bison must be visually and electronically readable, whether bangle, button, or clip-style, beginning November 5, 2024.

For other species — equine, sheep, goats, and cervids — Indiana does recognize an electronic implant (microchip) as a standalone or secondary official form of identification, but conditions apply in every case. In general, livestock species need to be individually identified before entering the state of Indiana, and specific requirements, including types of official ID and when ID must be applied, will vary by species.

Key Insight: “Microchip” and “RFID ear tag” are not interchangeable under Indiana law. Cattle require RFID ear tags. Equine, sheep, goats, and cervids may use injectable microchips — but only under specific conditions tied to registration, species, and movement purpose.

The Federal RFID Mandate and What It Means for Indiana Producers

The federal backdrop matters here. APHIS issued the proposed rule “Use of Electronic Identification Eartags as Official Identification in Cattle and Bison” on January 19, 2023, and the rule was finalized on April 26, 2024, becoming effective on November 5, 2024. Indiana’s BOAH aligned with this federal timeline.

Cattle tags applied after November 5, 2024, must be both visually and electronically readable (RFID). The types of cattle required to be identified when moving interstate remain unchanged — the list includes dairy cattle, sexually intact beef cattle 18 months or older, and rodeo and exhibition cattle.

Official metal tags that conform to the National Uniform Eartagging System and were applied before the November 5, 2024, deadline will continue to be accepted. If you tagged an animal before that cutoff with a compliant metal tag, that animal is grandfathered in for life. Any tag applied after that date must carry both a visual number and an electronic component.

For Indiana producers specifically, since 2014, nearly 2 million 840 tags have been distributed in Indiana, and BOAH continues that effort by providing a limited quantity of free RFID tags and tag applicators to help participating veterinarians provide their clients with the latest technology. If you need tags, contact a participating livestock veterinarian or reach out to BOAH directly at animalid@boah.in.gov.

It is also worth noting the broader legal landscape. In April 2019, the USDA’s APHIS introduced a proposal to require RFID tags for cattle over 18 months of age, but this proposal was challenged in federal court and ultimately ended in light of industry feedback and current executive branch policy. The 2024 final rule represents the current standing federal requirement, but producers should monitor BOAH and USDA APHIS communications for any future changes. You can also review Indiana’s livestock transportation laws for related movement documentation requirements.

Which Livestock Can Use a Microchip as Official Identification in Indiana

Indiana recognizes injectable microchips as official identification for a limited set of species. Understanding exactly which animals qualify — and under what conditions — prevents costly compliance errors at the point of sale, exhibition, or border crossing.

Equine have the broadest microchip acceptance. BOAH recognizes three forms of identification as official for equine, all approved by USDA for interstate movements. These include a physical description sufficient to identify an individual animal, digital photographs, and a USDA-approved electronic implant (microchip) with the number noted on accompanying paperwork.

Sheep and goats can use a microchip as official ID, but only under a strict condition. For breed-registered animals only, an electronic implant (microchip) is accepted, and the microchip number must be noted on registration paperwork — this form of ID will only be accepted for animals traveling with corresponding registration documentation. Non-registered sheep and goats must use official Scrapie Program flock tags bearing the US shield or approved tattoos.

Cervids (deer, elk, moose, and reindeer) require two forms of ID, and a microchip may serve as the secondary form. One must be an official, tamper-resistant ear tag bearing a U.S. shield and a 15-digit number beginning with the “840” prefix or the NUES silver steel tag. The second, unique form of ID may be another ear tag, an electronic implant, a flank or ear tattoo, or the Indiana cervid herd tag.

Cattle and bison do not use injectable microchips as official ID. Their official identification is the RFID ear tag only. Swine use PIN ear tags and approved tattoos; injectable microchips are not listed as official swine ID by BOAH. If you raise poultry alongside your livestock, note that poultry premises registration is voluntary and poultry are not subject to the same individual ID rules.

Species	Microchip Accepted as Official ID?	Conditions
Equine (horses, mules, donkeys)	Yes	USDA-approved device; number on CVI
Sheep & Goats	Yes — breed-registered animals only	Must travel with registration papers; microchip number on paperwork
Cervids (deer, elk)	Yes — as secondary ID only	Primary 840 ear tag also required
Cattle & Bison	No	RFID ear tag required (840 tag)
Swine	No	PIN ear tag or approved tattoo required

When a Microchip Qualifies for Interstate Movement in Indiana

A microchip alone does not automatically clear an animal for interstate movement. Several additional steps must be in place before the chip satisfies federal and state traceability requirements.

First, the microchip number must appear on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). USDA recognizes Certificates of Veterinary Inspection, with official IDs noted, for interstate movements. If the chip number is not written on the CVI at the time of inspection, the microchip does not count as official ID for that movement — even if the chip is compliant in every other way.

Second, for sheep and goats, the animal must be breed-registered and traveling with its registration certificate. The following conditions must be met: the animals are registered with a national registry association, and the electronic implant number is recorded by the registry on the registration certificate. An unregistered sheep or goat with a microchip does not meet Indiana’s official ID standard.

Third, for any species moving out of Indiana, always contact the destination state before movement. Always call ahead to the state-of-destination for sheep and/or goats moving out of Indiana. Sheep and goats that meet Indiana’s ID requirements will meet the ID requirements for all states, based on USDA’s ADT rules. Equine and cervid requirements, however, may differ by destination state. You can review the full scope of Indiana livestock transportation laws for documentation checklists that apply to all species.

Important Note: A microchip number not recorded on the CVI is invisible to state and federal inspectors. Your veterinarian must physically write or attach the chip number to the CVI before the animal leaves your premises.

Producers are required to keep records of livestock movements for 5 years, including purchases, sales, leases, bartering, trading, and exchanging. Records must include the name and address of buyer and seller, transaction date, all animal identification numbers, breed, sex, and reason for movement. This applies whether you use a microchip or an ear tag as the official ID device.

Approved Microchip Standards and Placement by Species in Indiana

Not every microchip on the market qualifies as official ID. USDA APHIS maintains an Official Animal Identification Number (AIN) Devices list that specifies approved injectable transponders by species. Indiana follows these federal device standards.

The chip number must begin with the 840 prefix — the numeric country code for the United States. USDA published a final rule establishing ID regulations for livestock moving interstate, and the 840-ID Microchip is an officially approved microchip. AINs beginning with the 840 prefix may not be applied to animals known to have been born outside the United States. If you are working with imported animals, contact BOAH for guidance on replacement or import-specific ID devices.

On the technical side, Procedure 5, known as a full ICAR certification, includes transponder conformance to ISO 11784 and ISO 11785 and materials/environmental testing. These are the international standards that govern how a chip encodes and transmits its unique number. Any approved USDA 840 injectable transponder will already meet these standards — you do not need to verify ISO compliance yourself, but you should purchase chips only from vendors whose products appear on the APHIS approved device list.

• Equine: Injectable transponder placed in the nuchal ligament of the neck (left side, midway between poll and withers) — standard industry placement recognized by USDA and most breed registries
• Sheep and goats: Injectable transponder placed subcutaneously in the left ear or the left side of the neck; placement must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the approved device
• Cervids (deer/elk): Injectable transponder placed per the approved device protocol; USDA-approved injectable transponders for equine and deer/elk are available as FDX devices under the AIN system

The 840-ID official microchip can be used in all equines, goats, sheep, alpaca, llama, elk, whitetail and other deer. Alpaca and llama fall under camelid regulations — contact BOAH directly for current official ID requirements for those species, as they are not always listed alongside traditional livestock in the standard traceability tables.

Registering a Livestock Microchip in Indiana

Implanting a chip is only half of the compliance equation. The chip number must be linked to a registered premises and, in some cases, a national registry before it carries any legal weight as official ID.

The first step is securing a Premises Identification Number (PremID) from BOAH. A premises ID number issued by BOAH is required to order official ID tags. The PremID is necessary to link the tags to a specific location — usually the animals’ point-of-origin. This same requirement applies to injectable microchips that carry 840-prefix AINs. To use these chips you must have a Premise ID. If you raise goats or sheep, you must also have a Flock/Scrapie ID.

To get your PremID, contact BOAH at animalid@boah.in.gov or call (317) 544-2400. BOAH requires premises registration of all sites associated with the sale, purchase, and/or exhibition of cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and cervids. Equine and poultry sites may be registered on a voluntary basis, but registering equine premises is strongly recommended if you plan to use microchips as official ID for interstate movements.

For sheep and goats using a microchip as official ID, you also need a Scrapie Flock ID and must register the animal with a national breed registry. The microchip number must then be recorded on the registration certificate before it functions as official ID. Any person or organization, including a veterinarian, that distributes official animal identification devices is required to keep a record for 5 years of the device identification number as well as the name and address of the device recipient. These records must be kept in a readily accessible record system and/or entered into a database approved by the USDA.

Pro Tip: Order your 840 injectable transponders only after your PremID is confirmed. Vendors are required to link chip shipments to a valid premises number. If you order chips before registration is complete, you may experience shipping delays or receive chips that cannot be officially activated.

Once a microchip is implanted and recorded, it stays with that animal for life. Once assigned to a specific premise, the tags cannot be transferred to another farm or operation. Those who have livestock in multiple locations should request different tags for each premise. This applies equally to injectable transponders — a chip linked to one premises number cannot be reassigned to a different farm’s records.

Microchipping as Proof of Ownership in Indiana

Indiana does not have a single statute that makes a microchip a legally binding proof of ownership for livestock the way some states treat brand registration. However, a microchip — when properly documented — creates a traceable chain of custody that functions as strong evidence of ownership in disputes, theft investigations, and insurance claims.

The key is documentation. A microchip number recorded on a bill of sale, a CVI, a breed registration certificate, or a BOAH movement record creates a paper trail linking you to that specific animal. RFID tags and microchips can be used to track other information about an animal, such as its date of birth, weight and vaccine records, and owner history. Maintaining those records in your farm management system strengthens any ownership claim significantly.

For equine specifically, the microchip combined with a physical description on a CVI is BOAH’s recognized official ID. Equine that meet Indiana’s ID requirements will meet requirements for all states, based on USDA’s ADT rules. Official ID options include adequate description, electronic implants (microchips), and digital photographs. In a theft or recovery scenario, a chip number matched against a CVI or registration document is far more persuasive than a visual description alone.

For cervids, the dual-ID requirement adds an extra layer of traceability. Cervid owners are required to maintain a herd inventory that includes records on all cervids purchased, sold, born, harvested, and died. Records must include the names and addresses of buyers and sellers, date of birth, sex of all animals, all animal identifications, and the date the animal was harvested or found dead. A microchip number included in that herd inventory gives you a permanent, tamper-resistant identifier tied to every transaction in an animal’s history.

If you are ever involved in an animal dispute that escalates to a legal matter, the microchip record alone is not a substitute for legal counsel. Indiana’s animal cruelty laws and general livestock statutes under Indiana Code Title 15 govern ownership and welfare obligations, but ownership disputes often turn on the quality of your documentation rather than the presence of a chip alone. Keep your CVI records, bills of sale, and breed registration papers organized and accessible for at least five years — the same retention period BOAH requires for movement records.

Producers who also deal with companion animals or mixed-use operations may find it useful to review Indiana’s pet custody laws, which handle ownership documentation differently than livestock statutes, and emotional support animal laws for any animals that serve dual roles on your property.

Staying compliant with Indiana’s microchipping and identification rules comes down to three habits: know which species accept a microchip as official ID, make sure every chip number appears on your CVI and registry paperwork, and keep your premises registration current with BOAH. For questions specific to your operation, contact BOAH at animalid@boah.in.gov or (317) 544-2400, or consult an accredited livestock veterinarian listed through BOAH.