Are Online ESA Letters Legitimate?

Many people who need an ESA letter either don’t have access to a clinician who can write them one or have spoken with a healthcare professional who is not comfortable writing ESA letters. As a result, many online ESA letter providers have popped up to provide a simple solution for those who need an ESA letter. Since these services have come about, many have questioned the legitimacy of getting an ESA letter through an online service. So, are online ESA letters legitimate? Unfortunately, the answer is “it depends”. This article will explain what makes an ESA letter legitimate (or illegitimate) so you don’t fall victim to scam websites. Whether you get your ESA letter through Pettable or elsewhere, this article will tell you everything you need to know to distinguish between a real or fake ESA letter.

What is an ESA Letter?

An emotional support animal letter, often referred to as an ESA letter, is a legal form that documents an individual has a qualifying mental health disorder or disability and requires an emotional support animal. It’s similar to a prescription in that it states an ESA is necessary for managing an individual’s mental health condition. An ESA Letter must be written by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) to be valid. Some examples of LMHPs that can write an ESA letter include:

• Therapists
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses (PMHN)
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)

These professionals can assess your need for an emotional support animal, accounting for your mental health and how an animal's presence can help alleviate symptoms of your condition.

What Makes an ESA Letter Legitimate?

For an ESA letter to be legitimate, it must meet a few criteria, here is a quick checklist to determine if an ESA letter is legit:

• The letter must be written by a licensed mental health professional who has assessed your need for an emotional support animal (some states also require a minimum 30-day relationship with the clinician).
• The letter must be written on official letterhead from the LMHP and contain contact information and the LMHP’s license number.
• The letter needs to state that the animal supports the patient's mental health, but does not need to go into specifics of the diagnosis as that information is private.
• The letter should recommend in writing that the animal is allowed to stay with the patient as it is a medical necessity for them.

Are Online ESA Letters Legitimate?

This is the big question that’s not so simple to answer. The basic answer is yes, some online ESA letters are legit, although there are many scam websites out there you should be on the lookout for. Legitimate online ESA letter sites will connect you with a licensed mental health professional for a short consultation, after which they will write you an ESA letter. This is essential to ensure your ESA letter is legally valid. Any website that omits this crucial step is illegitimate. Another important thing to look out for is that the site connects you with an LMHP licensed in your state of residence, as clinicians are not allowed to meet with patients in states where they don’t have a valid license.

Some scam websites offer instant turnaround after completing a simple online quiz or have an LMHP review your answers and email you an ESA letter. Others will simply have you “register” an emotional support animal or sell you a certificate, both of which hold no value and will not hold up to any scrutiny by a landlord.

Where Can You Get a Legitimate ESA Letter Online?

Any website that follows the steps outlined above is a legitimate place to acquire an ESA letter. You need to research, read up on federal & state laws, and look into the specific process any website uses for getting you an ESA letter. If the offer sounds too good to be true, there is a decent chance that the ESA provider isn’t 100% compliant with the law, and you may end up with an illegitimate ESA letter.

At Pettable we ensure that our letters are compliant and current with relevant law changes. We have you meet with a qualified licensed mental health professional who can write you a legitimate ESA letter. If you are seeking an ESA letter online, we’d be happy to help! Just take our brief assessment to get started and we will match you with an LMHP.

If you are considering going with another provider, we understand! Just be wary and ensure they are following the right processes to ensure you get a legitimate ESA letter.

ESA Letter Laws

Under federal law, ESA letters are the only valid documentation proving that you need an emotional support animal. This means that if you have an ESA letter, you are protected in the entire United States. However, some states have enforced laws that impose different requirements on the ESA letter process.

The Fair Housing Act (FHA)

While emotional support animals aren’t always granted the same public access rights as service animals, they are protected under federal ESA and service animal laws for housing under the Fair Housing Act (FHA). These laws exist to prevent discrimination against individuals for housing based on race, religion, orientation, gender identity, or disability. 

Individuals with disabilities or mental health conditions who use an emotional support animal have the legal right to live with their ESA in housing that doesn’t typically allow pets, has restrictive pet policies that prohibit certain breeds or sizes and is exempt from pet fees in rental housing.

State-Specific ESA Letter Requirements

While emotional support animals are protected across the United States thanks to a couple of federal laws, some rules around ESAs still vary from state to state. The main thing you need to understand is the 30-day law, which many states have implemented. This rule makes it mandatory to establish a minimum of a 30-day relationship with your healthcare provider before they can write you an ESA letter. This law is in place to ensure that only those who need an emotional support animal get an ESA letter. The following states have passed laws that require this 30-day relationship for an ESA letter:

• California (Law AB-468)
• Montana (Law HB-703)
• Arkansas (Law HB-1420)
• Louisiana (Law HB-407)
• Iowa (Law SF-2268)

If you are seeking an ESA letter through an online source, be sure they are staying compliant with these laws. At Pettable we stay updated with every new law, to ensure our ESA letters remain compliant. If you are getting an ESA letter in any of the above states, we will schedule you for two separate consultations across 30 days to satisfy the requirements of the law.

What's on a Legitimate ESA Letter?

A legitimate emotional support animal letter should include all of the following:

• Official letterhead of the practice of your health professional
• License number of the mental health professional providing the ESA letter
• Your name
• A statement the client meets the qualifications for a mental health disorder or disability
• The health professional’s recommendation of your need for an ESA

While an ESA letter needs to contain this information, it doesn’t need to include specifics about your diagnosis.

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What Makes Pettable ESA Letters Legitimate?

Pettable is the top provider of legitimate online ESA letters, working with mental health professionals and individuals who need an emotional support animal and supporting documentation all over the United States.

Our ESA Letters Are Written by Real Clinicians in Your State

Pettable works with a wide network of clinicians and healthcare professionals in all 50 states, meaning we can guarantee our ability to match you with a provider in your area who knows both the federal and local state requirements for providing you with a legal, legitimate ESA letter.

We Require a Verbal Mental Health Consultation

Unlike illegitimate companies that promise to fast-track ESA letters, Pettable takes the time to ensure every individual seeking our services has a verbal or video consultation with a licensed mental health professional. Our clinicians are paid per consultation — not per approval — so there’s no incentive to approve or deny you other than legitimate need.

Our Clinicians Have Complete Discretion

Working within federal and state laws and the required information for ESA letters, Pettable's team of qualified clinicians are professional and discrete when it comes to your records, and will only provide the information legally required of them to make sure your ESA letter is legal, legitimate, and recognized by landlords for housing and in any other instance you may need.

We Follow Federal and State Regulations

Pettable’s network of providers in every state means our team includes professionals who are not only up-to-date and experienced at working with federal regulations for emotional support animals and providing ESA letters but who are also familiar with individual laws in every state. No matter where you live in the U.S., Pettable can match you with a provider who can get you on your way to a legitimate ESA letter.

Signs of an Illegitimate ESA Provider

When searching for an ESA provider, be on the lookout for these telltale signs an agency may be an illegitimate provider of ESA letters.

No Verbal Consultation with a Clinician

An agency that doesn’t require individuals to consult with a licensed health professional or other licensed clinician is a red flag for ESA providers. Taking the time to assess individual needs and ensure a qualifying disability is present is essential for quality care.

“Instant” ESA Letter Approval

Instant approvals for an ESA letter after answering only a few questions are almost always a scam. For an ESA letter to be legitimate individuals must consult with a health professional directly, which can’t be done “instantly".

Offers an ESA “Registry”

Providers offering an ESA “registry” are also almost always a scam. There is no legally recognized registry for service animals or emotional support animals in the U.S. Charging for “registration” of an assistance animal is a scam.

Provides ID Badges or ESA “Certificates”

Agencies that promise to provide ID badges or ESA “certificates” might not be providing legitimate ESA documentation. The only legal paperwork that can certify an emotional support animal is an ESA letter provided by a licensed health professional and containing all the required information.

How to Get a Legitimate ESA Letter with Pettable

Getting a legitimate ESA letter from Pettable is simple, affordable, and legitimate with our guaranteed process. 

1. Complete Our Online Assessment

Start by completing Pettable’s brief assessment to determine your specific needs and get matched with a licensed healthcare provider in your state. The assessment generally only takes about 3 minutes!

2. Attend Your Consultation with a Licensed Clinician

Once we’ve matched you with the right provider, you’ll attend a consultation via video or phone to reach your diagnosis and be sure your disability qualifies for an emotional support animal.

3. Receive Your ESA Letter

After the required number of consultations depending on your state, if approved, your clinician will provide you with a legal, legitimate ESA letter! Pettable’s experts work together to ensure your needs are met and your ESA letter contains all the required information to work for you. Get started with Pettable today!