Livestock Microchipping Laws in North Dakota: What Every Producer Needs to Know

North Dakota producers face a two-layer identification system: a state framework administered by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and a federal Animal Disease Traceability (ADT) rule that now mandates electronic identification for certain animals crossing state lines. Understanding where a microchip fits into that system — and where it does not — can save you from compliance headaches at the sale barn, the state line, or the brand inspector’s office.

The short answer is that injectable microchips carrying a USDA 840 Animal Identification Number (AIN) can serve as official identification for specific species under both state and federal rules. For cattle and bison, however, the microchip story is more complicated. This guide walks through every layer so you know exactly what your operation needs before you load the trailer.

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

The terms “microchip” and “RFID tag” are often used interchangeably, but they describe different physical devices with different regulatory roles in North Dakota. An RFID ear tag is an external device crimped into the ear; a microchip is an injectable transponder placed under the skin. Both can carry a 15-digit USDA Animal Identification Number, and both can be official identification — but not for every species or every situation.

As of November 2024, the USDA implemented updated cattle identification rules that require the use of radio frequency identification tags that are both visually and electronically readable for certain cattle and bison moving across state lines. That language — “visually and electronically readable” — is critical. The EID tags bear a unique 15-digit identification number and replace the metal ear tags; they are commonly referred to as 840 tags because any RFID tags applied in the United States start with those three digits.

For cattle and bison, the federal rule specifically requires a visually readable ear tag, which means an injectable microchip alone does not satisfy the interstate movement requirement for those species. However, 840 AINs are available in microchip implants for equine and other species, meaning horses, sheep, goats, deer, and elk can use injectable 840 chips as official identification. North Dakota follows the federal ADT framework for these distinctions, so the species you raise determines which device type you need.

Pro Tip: If you raise multiple species, do not assume one device type covers all of them. Confirm with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture Animal Health division which form of official ID applies to each animal class on your operation.

The Federal RFID Mandate and What It Means for North Dakota Producers

The federal rule that reshaped livestock identification nationwide came from USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its long-awaited update to the animal identification rules on April 26, 2024, requiring that sexually intact cattle and bison moving interstate must be tagged with electronically readable tags. USDA published the final rule on May 9, 2024, making the effective date November 5, 2024.

The rule that took effect on November 5, 2024, requires visibly readable EID tags for sexually intact cattle and bison 18 months or older, dairy cattle of any age, and cattle and bison of any age used for rodeos, shows, or exhibitions. Cattle and bison going directly to slaughter are exempted from official identification requirements.

North Dakota State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress explained that the rule essentially requires an electronic tag to replace the metal clip or “bangs” tag, and that this will only be required for interstate shipment. The North Dakota state veterinarian has said EID tags should be a more accurate and efficient way of keeping track of information already being gathered.

There is an important legal caveat worth tracking. The federal RFID rule is in effect but faces an active legal challenge; the lawsuit filed by R-CALF USA and others is proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, and a ruling could uphold, modify, or strike down the rule. In October 2025, a federal court denied USDA’s motion to dismiss the case, meaning the legal challenge continues. Comply with the current rule while staying informed about how litigation develops.

Important Note: Grandfathering applies to cattle already wearing a visual metal tag before November 5, 2024. Those cattle already tagged with visual tags prior to the implementation date will not be required to bear an electronic identification tag if they were already wearing a visual, approved tag by that date.

Funding is available to offset compliance costs. Congress allocated $15 million in the March 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act specifically for EID tags. Many state veterinarian offices distribute free 840 RFID tags to producers, but supply has been uneven; North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana all reported using up their 2024 allocations before year-end. Contact the North Dakota Department of Agriculture at 701-328-2655 to check current availability.

Which Livestock Can Use a Microchip as Official Identification in North Dakota

The species that can use an injectable 840 microchip as official identification in North Dakota align with the USDA APHIS approved device list. The key distinction is that cattle and bison require a visually readable ear tag for interstate movement, while several other species can rely on an implanted chip.

The USDA 840-ID injectable microchip is officially approved by the USDA for safe and effective use in horses, goats, llama, alpaca, whitetail deer, elk, sheep, and more. The 840-ID Official Microchip can be used in all equines, goats, sheep, alpaca, llama, elk, whitetail and other deer, and similar species. These chips carry the same 15-digit AIN as an ear tag and satisfy the federal ADT rule for those animals.

Here is a practical breakdown of how official identification works by species class in North Dakota:

Species	Microchip as Official ID?	Primary Device Required	Notes
Cattle & Bison (interstate)	No — for interstate movement	840 RFID ear tag (visually readable)	Directly to slaughter is exempt
Horses & Equines	Yes	840 injectable microchip or ear tag	Premises ID required
Sheep & Goats	Yes	840 microchip, RFID ear tag, or flock ID tag	Flock/Scrapie ID also required
Deer & Elk (captive cervids)	Yes	840 injectable microchip	Premises ID required; state permit may also apply
Llama & Alpaca	Yes	840 injectable microchip	Premises ID required
Swine	No	Premises ID (PIN) ear tag	Group/lot ID used for slaughter swine

If you raise goats in North Dakota, note that a microchip alone is not sufficient — you also need an active Scrapie Flock ID number tied to your operation before you can order or use 840 injectable chips for those animals.

When a Microchip Qualifies for Interstate Movement in North Dakota

Moving animals across state lines from North Dakota triggers both state and federal requirements. Certificates of veterinary inspection are required on most animals imported, and the certificate must contain names and addresses of consignor and consignee with an accurate description and identification of all animals. A microchip number must appear on that certificate to count as official identification.

For species where a microchip qualifies — horses, sheep, goats, and captive cervids — the chip satisfies the federal ADT identification requirement only if it carries an 840 AIN. A private registry chip, a companion-animal chip, or a foreign-country chip does not meet this standard. AINs beginning with the 840 prefix may not be applied to animals known to have been born outside the United States, so imported animals may need re-identification with a US-issued device.

For cattle and bison, the interstate movement rule is straightforward: you need a visually readable 840 RFID ear tag. A microchip implanted alongside an ear tag does not replace the ear tag requirement but can supplement it for herd management purposes. See our guide on transporting livestock laws in North Dakota for the full set of movement documentation requirements, including health certificates and permit conditions.

Pro Tip: When shipping horses out of North Dakota, confirm the destination state’s specific identification rules. Some states accept an 840 microchip number on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection; others require a visual description or breed registration tattoo in addition to the chip.

Producers moving animals to neighboring South Dakota should also review transporting livestock laws in South Dakota, as that state’s entry requirements may differ from North Dakota’s export documentation standards.

Approved Microchip Standards and Placement by Species in North Dakota

Not every microchip on the market qualifies as official USDA identification. The chip must carry a 15-digit AIN beginning with 840, conform to ISO 11784/11785 full-duplex (FDX) transponder standards, and be manufactured by an APHIS-approved vendor. The transponder must conform to ISO 11784 and ISO 11785, and if materials testing has been conducted at another laboratory, equivalent results may be considered.

The “840” chips are used for official USDA identification to comply with USDA-APHIS and Scrapie regulations. Chips that do not begin with 840 — including most companion-animal chips and older livestock chips — are not accepted as official identification for interstate movement purposes in North Dakota or any other state.

Placement standards vary by species:

• Horses and equines: Injectable 840 chip placed in the nuchal ligament of the neck, left side, per standard equine microchipping protocol. This is the most common placement site for equine official identification.
• Sheep and goats: The 840 ID mini-microchip injectable transponder is approved for sheep/goat and equine use. Placement is typically in the left ear base or the tail web for goats; your accredited veterinarian will confirm the approved site.
• Deer and elk (captive cervids): The EZID injectable transponder is approved for deer/elk and equine use. Placement is commonly in the base of the left ear or the nuchal ligament area, depending on species and handler preference.
• Llama and alpaca: Injectable 840 chip placed in the left side of the neck in the nuchal ligament, consistent with camelid microchipping practice.

Only an accredited veterinarian should implant an official 840 chip and record the implant in the Animal Identification Management System (AIMS). AIMS is a web-based program used to administer official animal identification numbers and devices; all distribution records for AIN devices are maintained on AIMS. Chips implanted without proper AIMS recording do not create an official traceability record, even if the chip number begins with 840.

If you also keep backyard poultry or other birds alongside your livestock operation, review backyard chicken laws in North Dakota — poultry are not subject to the RFID or microchip identification rules discussed here, but separate flock registration requirements may apply.

Registering a Livestock Microchip in North Dakota

Implanting the chip is only step one. For the microchip to function as official identification, the number must be tied to a registered premises and, for sheep and goats, to a Scrapie Flock ID. North Dakota producers follow the same federal registration pathway as producers in every other state.

Here is the registration sequence for most species:

1. Obtain a Premises Identification Number (PIN). For horses, deer, elk, alpaca, llama, and other livestock, you must have a Premises ID Number before ordering or using 840 microchips. Contact the North Dakota Department of Agriculture at 701-328-2655 or visit the NDDA Animal Health page to register your premises.
2. Obtain a Scrapie Flock ID (sheep and goats only). Goats and sheep producers must have both a Premises ID Number and a Flock (Scrapie) ID Number. Call 1-866-873-2824 (1-866-USDA-TAG) to request your Scrapie Flock ID at no cost.
3. Order approved 840 chips. Note that 840 microchip orders cannot ship until Flock and/or Premises IDs are verified. Purchase from an APHIS-approved manufacturer; your accredited veterinarian can also supply chips and apply them during a farm visit.
4. Have an accredited veterinarian implant the chip. The vet records the chip number, species, premises, and owner information in AIMS or the applicable state system at the time of implantation.
5. Record the chip number on all movement documents. Any Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for interstate movement must list the 840 microchip number as the official identification for the animal.

Pro Tip: Keep a paper or digital log of every chip number matched to each animal’s description, sex, age, and breed. If an animal is ever lost, stolen, or involved in a disease investigation, that record is what connects the chip number to your ownership and your premises.

Producers can also receive a premises ID number to register their RFID tags through the same NDDA channel used for microchip registration. The premises ID is the same number whether you are registering ear tags or injectable chips, so you only need to register once per location.

North Dakota producers who also import animals from other states should review pet import laws in North Dakota for companion animal identification rules, which operate under a separate framework from livestock identification.

Microchipping as Proof of Ownership in North Dakota

A livestock microchip is a traceability tool first and an ownership document second. In North Dakota, the primary proof-of-ownership instruments for cattle remain brands recorded with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and Bills of Sale. A microchip number alone does not substitute for a recorded brand or a valid Bill of Sale in a dispute over title to an animal.

That said, a registered 840 microchip does create a verifiable link between an animal and a specific premises in the AIMS database. If an animal is stolen and later recovered, an AIMS query can confirm the premises of origin and the original owner on record. This makes microchipping a useful supplement to brand registration, not a replacement for it.

For horses specifically, the 840 microchip has become the de facto standard for breed registry identification and export health certificates. Many breed associations now require or strongly recommend an 840 chip for registration, and several export markets require chip numbers on international health certificates. If you sell horses across state lines or internationally, an 840 chip paired with a current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is the most efficient documentation package you can carry.

Sheep and goat producers benefit from microchipping in a different way. APHIS is working with sheep and goat organizations to encourage the use of electronic identification to improve the nation’s ability to quickly trace exposed and diseased animals in the event of an outbreak. In a disease event, producers whose animals are already individually chipped and registered can demonstrate clean-herd status faster than those relying on flock-level identification alone, which may limit movement restrictions on their operation.

If a dispute over livestock ownership arises in North Dakota, the chip number — combined with a dated AIMS record, a Bill of Sale, and any brand documentation — forms a strong evidentiary package. Courts and law enforcement can query AIMS to confirm when a chip was registered and to whom the premises belongs. For more on how North Dakota animal law intersects with property rights, see our overview of hunting laws in North Dakota, which covers related questions about wildlife identification and tagging requirements that overlap with captive cervid rules.

Producers who keep mixed operations — livestock alongside companion animals or working dogs — may also find it useful to review leash laws in North Dakota and pet vaccination laws in North Dakota to ensure all animals on the property are properly documented under the applicable frameworks.

The bottom line for North Dakota producers: microchipping is a legitimate and often required form of official identification for horses, sheep, goats, and captive cervids. For cattle and bison moving interstate, a visually readable 840 RFID ear tag is the required device. Register your premises, work with an accredited veterinarian to implant and record chips correctly, and keep your movement documents current — those three steps cover the vast majority of compliance obligations under both state and federal rules.