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How to Get an ESA Letter from Your Doctor: Everything You Need to Know
Getting an ESA letter from your doctor is the first step to making your pet an official emotional support animal. This guide explains who can write an ESA letter, how to prepare for your appointment, and what to do if your doctor declines. By following the right steps, you can ensure your ESA is recognized and protected under the law.
If you are a California resident and have a dog you must establish a relationship of no less than 30 days with the therapist writing the ESA letter.
The law that requires this is the AB 468 law which was passed on January 1, 2022.
This law doesn’t apply to any other type of ESA.
The Bottom Line
What Is an ESA Letter? An ESA letter is a legal document from a licensed professional that confirms your need for an emotional support animal.
Who Can Write One? Licensed mental health practitioners are best suited to write ESA letters, though general physicians may also do so in some cases.
Steps to Get an ESA Letter: Prepare your records, discuss your condition and needs with your doctor, and ensure the letter meets FHA guidelines.
Alternative Options: If your doctor declines, you can consult a mental health specialist or use a reputable telehealth ESA letter service like Pettable.
Emotional support animals (ESAs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States, and for very good reasons. ESAs can help people with mental conditions such as depression, anxiety, phobias, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and more.
Studies show that animal interaction helps to decrease depression and improve mood in individuals with mental health disorders. But pet owners dealing with emotional or mental issues already know the benefits their animals can bring. Another study demonstrates how being around animals helps reduce fear and anxiety.
If you have a pet and you know that they bring comfort to your mental health symptoms, then you could consider seeing if they qualify as an ESA. However, you can’t just call your pet an ESA; there are some steps that you need to take to make it official.
When researching ESAs, one of the first questions people have is, "How to get an ESA letter from your doctor?" This article will provide a comprehensive understanding of what an ESA letter is, go over how to get an ESA letter from a doctor, and other common questions about ESA letters. With this guide, you can navigate the process with confidence and clarity.
Getting An ESA Letter from a Healthcare Professional
To make your pet an official emotional support animal (ESA), you’ll need an ESA letter from a licensed professional. While your general doctor can sometimes write this letter, mental health practitioners are usually better equipped to provide the documentation. Preparing for your appointment by gathering medical records and explaining how your pet helps your condition is key to a successful conversation. If your doctor declines, consider seeking help from a licensed mental health professional or using a trusted telehealth provider like Pettable to streamline the process.
What is an ESA Letter and Why You Might Need One?
When you start looking into how to get an ESA letter from a doctor, you may also be wondering, "What is an ESA letter?" An ESA letter is a legal document written by a licensed mental health practitioner (LMHP) that confirms that a person has a mental disorder and recommends an ESA as part of their treatment. You must have a legitimate ESA letter to qualify your animals as an ESA.
An ESA letter is necessary for people with ESAs to prove that their animal is, in fact, an ESA. A vest or certification card will not be sufficient to prove ESA status. Service animals are protected by the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), but emotional support animals are not.
The federal law that governs ESAs is the Fair Housing Act (FHA). The FHA prohibits discrimination against disabled persons in all real estate and rental housing situations, and this law applies to ESA owners, too. The FHA states that landlords must waive pet fees and make reasonable accommodations even in "no-pet" housing policies for people with ESAs. However, to be exempt from these pet fees and rules, ESA owners must have a legitimate ESA letter to prove their need for an ESA.
Can Any Doctor Write an ESA Letter?
So, who can write an ESA letter? For your ESA letter to be legitimate and legal, only certain professionals can write it for you. A general practitioner or a family doctor can technically write your ESA letter. If you are wondering how to get an ESA letter from a doctor, you can certainly ask your primary care physician to write it for you. However, they are not as well-versed in mental health as licensed mental health practitioners (LMHPs) and may not be familiar with the format of ESA letters.
Licensed mental health practitioners are therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers trained in emotional and psychological conditions. A family doctor who has known you for some time and is familiar with your mental health may be willing to write your ESA letter. However, it is more common for mental health professionals to provide this service since they specialize in mental health disorders.
Now, let's discuss how to get an ESA letter from your doctor. We will break it down step by step so you know exactly what to do.
Prepare for Your Appointment
First things first, you will want to prepare for your appointment. You will want copies of your medical records and any other documents supporting your request for an ESA letter. You may not need all of your medical records, but you will want to have any that cover your mental health. For example, this would include things like your diagnosis and any previous treatment with counselors or records from a psychiatrist.
It's also a good idea to list ways your animal helps you with your condition. You could write down specific ways they support you. Or jot down some examples of them providing comfort during stressful situations. You will use these documents to present a clear picture to your doctor showing your need for an ESA.
What to Discuss During the Appointment
Once you are at your appointment, you want to be completely honest and transparent about your condition and how your animal helps you. You will want to express the reasons why you would benefit from your animal becoming an ESA. You will also need to explain in detail some of your symptoms and talk about how the animal may help to alleviate those symptoms. This is why it is nice to have a list of examples so that you will feel confident discussing them with your doctor.
You should offer some constructive talking points to guide the conversation in a way that increases your chances of getting your ESA letter. A good example could be talking about your current living situation and any pet restrictions or pet fees you are currently facing. You could even explain how your ESA living with you is necessary for your overall mental well-being. Some doctors might not even know about ESAs or the need for an ESA letter, so it is good to discuss everything you think is important to consider.
At the end of the day, it's just crucial to be honest with your doctor. If they say no and don't feel comfortable, don't take it as the end of the road. Know that you can always contact another medical professional who may be better equipped to determine your need for an ESA.
Follow-up and Final Steps
Woohoo! Your doctor agrees to write your ESA letter. Now, what comes next? Well, it's important that your doctor includes all the information required for the ESA letter to work for housing or any other situation. According to the FHA, your ESA letter will need to include the following information:
The provider's name, contact information, and license number
The letter is written on a professional letterhead
The date
The medical provider's signature
Your full name
Information about your mental health diagnosis recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM5)
Information about the type of animal and how they alleviate your symptoms
Once you have your letter, you can take it to your landlord or potential landlord and ask for reasonable accommodation so that you can live with your ESA. Remember, your landlord has the right to verify your ESA letter, which is why it's important that the doctor's information and licensing number are on the letter so that they can verify it.
How Long Does It Take to Get an ESA Letter from Your Doctor?
Answering the question of how long it takes to get an ESA letter from your doctor can be challenging. It really depends on whether you go for an in-person visit or have telehealth appointments. Let's take a look at both options.
In-person visits
So, how long does it take to get an ESA letter from your doctor? Getting an ESA letter from a doctor can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of months. It really varies. It also depends on how familiar you and your doctor are with each other and how well they know your mental health.
You could have to wait for appointments to be available, as well as adhere to different rules in each state. Some states require you to have a working relationship with your professional at least 30 days before an ESA letter can be written. If you are new to the doctor, it could take at least a month to qualify in those states.
Telehealth
When searching for how to get an ESA letter from a doctor, it's essential to consider telehealth options. Using telehealth can really speed things up. Let's say you are in a state that requires a 30-day prior client-therapist relationship. However, your doctor is only in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so you can only meet up with them once a month due to both of your schedules. Now, you are looking at a few months before you can get your ESA letter. But, with telehealth services, you would not have to wait that long.
Some legitimate online ESA letter service providers can help you speed up the process. They follow every state's specific guidelines and the federal FHA's laws. An online service like Pettable can set you up with an LMHP who can do your assessment over video and, if approved, can write your ESA letter and get it back to you sometime within 48 hours! You won't have to worry about your doctor saying no, and you can trust that the professional that you are working with knows about ESAs and is confident when recommending your need for an ESA.
What to Do If Your Doctor Won't Write an ESA Letter
Maybe you are wondering what to do if a doctor won't write an ESA letter. Sometimes, a doctor might say no, and they simply don't feel comfortable writing your ESA letter for you. They may be unfamiliar with the laws on ESAs and are uncomfortable creating one. Or they may lack special training in emotional support animals and do not want to make a diagnosis without proper training. A doctor might not want the added burden of dealing with a landlord during verification purposes. There are many reasons why a doctor might choose not to write your ESA letter.
When you are working on how to get an ESA letter from a doctor, you may encounter someone who tells you no, and that's okay. You can always seek a second opinion from a licensed mental health professional. Or you could work directly with a legitimate online ESA service provider like Pettable to get connected to LMHPs who are trained and willing to assess and write ESA letters.
FAQs
Here are some ESA letter FAQs.
Can any doctor write an ESA letter?
According to the federal ESA laws, any state-licensed healthcare practitioner can write an ESA letter. However, licensed mental health practitioners are typically those who write ESA letters, and many primary care physicians may not want to write an ESA letter as mental health is not their expertise. In these instances, they may refer you to an LMHP who can help you with your ESA letter.
What happens if my ESA letter is rejected by a landlord?
If your landlord denies your ESA letter even though you know it is valid, you can file a complaint with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or contact a lawyer for more help.
How long is an ESA letter valid for?
In general, an ESA letter does not expire. However, some states have their own regulations on renewing ESA letters. Some housing authorities may require you to get an updated version once a year. It's always best to check with your specific state's legal requirements and your housing authorities' rules.
Can I get an ESA letter online?
Yes, you can get an ESA letter online, but you must be cautious. Many ESA letter scams claim to give you an ESA letter right away, and these scams should be avoided. You will only want to consult legitimate ESA letter providers. These companies have LMHPs who will conduct an assessment and legally write your ESA letter. Pettable is an example of a legitimate ESA letter provider.
Suppose you wonder, "How long does it take to get an ESA letter from a doctor?" The answer depends on state laws and can range from 48 hours to 30 days or more.
Does my doctor need to meet specific criteria to write the letter?
The doctor must have a valid state license to practice in the state where the letter is issued. The doctor must have diagnosed you with a mental health condition that is in the DSM5. It's typically an LMHP who writes an ESA letter as they have a mental health background and feel more comfortable diagnosing you with a mental health disorder and write ESA letters.
If you want to know how to get an ESA letter from your doctor, make sure that you bring any prior diagnosis with you to your appointment to show that you have a qualifying disorder. If your doctor does not feel comfortable, then they may be able to refer you to an LMHP, or you can reach out to an online reputable ESA letter provider.
Conclusion
You can go a couple of different routes when trying to figure out how to get an ESA letter from a doctor. For one, you can ask your family doctor, but they simply may not feel comfortable writing an ESA letter for you even if they know your medical history.
Next, you can reach out to an LMHP near you who specializes in mental health conditions. But remember, it's always a good idea to bring any medical history and facts about how your ESA provides your symptom relief. Just be open and honest with the doctor, and if they still say no for whatever reason, then you can always find another mental health professional to get a second opinion.
The third and quickest option is to reach out to an ESA letter telehealth provider. At Pettable, we connect you with an LMHP near you to provide an assessment of your situation and determine your need for an ESA. If you qualify, you can receive an ESA letter from the LMHP in a few days. Each state has different laws, but our LMHP will help you navigate the laws in your area if you qualify. Just take our short quiz today to get started on the process.
Alicia Ramella is a freelance writer specializing in mental health and wellness. She has been writing professionally for over three years in this space. Her work has been featured on reputable sites like WEBMD.com and many other health and wellness websites.
Alicia is also a life coach, a podcaster, and a nutrition nut with a background in psychology. She plays with her two children in her free time and enjoys music, gardening, and nature.
