CertaPet is a revolutionary online telehealth platform that improves access to mental health care.

A legitimate ESA letter costs between $149-$199 for the initial evaluation with a licensed therapist. CertaPet's ESA letters start at $149 with a 100% money-back guarantee if not approved.

Beware of services offering "free" or instant letters that look very inexpensive: these are scams. Real ESA letters require a consultation with a state-licensed mental health professional, which has a cost associated with the therapist's time and expertise.

Annual renewals start at $99

Getting your ESA letter with CertaPet is simple and takes 4 steps:

1. Take Free 5-Minute Screening
Complete our eligibility questionnaire to see if you qualify for an ESA

2. Complete Assessment
Provide your information

3. Speak with Licensed Therapist
A state-licensed mental health professional will contact you within 2 business days to schedule a phone or video consultation

4. Receive Your ESA Letter
If approved, download your digital letter immediately. Hard copies are sent via USPS priority mail (2-3 business days)

Total timeline: 2-5 business days from start to finish

If not approved by the therapist, you receive a full refund - 100% money-back guarantee.

Note: Canadian residents can also apply for ESA housing consultations.

With CertaPet:

• Therapist contacts you: Within 2 business days
• Digital letter if approved: Immediately after consultation
• Hard copy delivery: 2-3 business days via USPS priority mail

Total timeline: 2-5 business days from application to letter in hand.

Yes, you can get a legitimate ESA letter online through HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms like CertaPet. You'll have a real consultation with a state-licensed therapist via phone or video call.

Online ESA letters are just as valid as in-person evaluations, as long as they're issued by a licensed mental health professional after a proper assessment.

Warning: "Free" online ESA letters or instant approvals with no evaluation are scams and will be rejected by landlords.

Yes. CertaPet offers an option for people who don't have their pet yet. Select "I don't have my pet yet" during registration for an additional $20.

You'll receive an initial recommendation letter. Once you adopt or purchase your pet, update the details and complete a shorter assessment to receive a second letter with your pet's specific information.

This is common for people who need housing approval before adopting an ESA.

Yes, CertaPet ESA letters are 100% legitimate and legally valid. Each letter is issued by a state-licensed mental health professional after a real evaluation, an instant approval never takes place.

CertaPet credentials:

• BBB Gold Star accredited
• Veteran-owned since 2015
• Licensed therapists in all 50 states
• 278,000+ pet parents helped
• 99.7% housing acceptance rate
• HIPAA-compliant platform

Our letters meet all Fair Housing Act requirements.

CertaPet's ESA letters are written by state-licensed mental health professionals, including:

• Licensed therapists (LMFT, LCSW, LPC)
• Psychologists (PhD, PsyD)
• Psychiatrists (MD, DO)
• Clinical social workers

Every therapist is selected and trained by Prairie Conlon, LPC, NCC--CertaPet's Clinical Director and the world's leading expert on Emotional Support Animals.

Each therapist is licensed in the state where you live and qualified to assess ESA eligibility.

CertaPet offers a 100% money-back guarantee if not approved.

Yes. CertaPet provides comprehensive landlord support:

• Educational materials explaining Fair Housing Act rights
• Direct therapist verification available
• Housing accommodation request letter templates
• Customer support team to answer landlord questions
• Resources for filing HUD complaints if needed

Our therapists are trained and equipped to handle any ESA dispute with landlords or housing complexes, ensuring your housing rights are upheld.

99.7% of landlords accept CertaPet letters.

An ESA (Emotional Support Animal) letter and a PSD (Psychiatric Service Dog) letter provide different legal protections based on the type of animal and training involved.

ESA Letter (Emotional Support Animal)

What it covers:

• Housing rights ONLY under the Fair Housing Act (FHA)
• Allows you to live with your animal in no-pet housing
• Protects against pet deposits, pet rent, and breed/size restrictions

Requirements:

• No specialized training required
• Animal provides comfort through companionship alone
• Can be any domesticated animal (dog, cat, rabbit, etc.)

PSD Letter (Psychiatric Service Dog)

What it covers:

• Housing rights under the Fair Housing Act (FHA)
• Air travel at no cost under the Air Carrier Access Act
• Full public access to restaurants, stores, hotels, and all public spaces under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Requirements:

• Must be a dog (or miniature horse in rare cases)
• Must be individually trained to perform specific tasks related to a psychiatric disability
• Tasks must directly assist with the handler's disability (e.g., interrupting panic attacks, reminding to take medication, providing deep pressure therapy during anxiety episodes)

An ESA letter is a legal document from a licensed mental health professional that confirms your need for an emotional support animal as part of your mental health treatment plan.

The letter grants you legal housing rights under the Fair Housing Act, allowing you to:

• Live with your ESA in no-pet housing
• Avoid pet deposits (save $200-$900)
• Avoid monthly pet rent (save $300-$1,200/year)
• Keep your ESA regardless of breed or size restrictions

An ESA letter is the ONLY legally recognized documentation for housing accommodations with an emotional support animal.

Only state-licensed mental health professionals can legally write ESA letters, including:

• Licensed Therapists (LMFT, LCSW, LPC)
• Psychologists (PhD, PsyD)
• Psychiatrists (MD, DO)
• Licensed Clinical Social Workers
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners
• Physicians

Your ESA letter must come from a professional licensed in YOUR state. CertaPet has licensed therapists available in all 50 states.

A legal ESA letter must include:

1. Official letterhead from a licensed mental health practice
2. Your full legal name
3. Therapist's complete license information (license number, state, contact info)
4. Date of issuance (valid for 1 year)
5. Statement confirming your disability-related need for an ESA

Letters missing any of these elements can be legally rejected by landlords.

ESA letters are valid for one year from the date of issuance. After 12 months, you need to renew your letter with an updated evaluation from a licensed therapist.

Important: Services offering "lifetime ESA letters" are fraudulent. HUD guidelines require annual renewal to ensure the ESA is still medically necessary for your mental health treatment.

CertaPet offers convenient annual renewal starting at $99.

Yes. With a legitimate ESA letter, landlords CANNOT charge:

• Pet deposits
• Monthly pet rent
• Application fees for having an ESA

This saves you $200-$800 in deposits plus $25-$100/month in pet rent ($300-$1,600 per year in savings).

Important: you're still liable for any damage your ESA causes to the property.

No, ESAs are no longer allowed to travel for free on any domestic flight in the US. Since January 11 2021, under new regulations passed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Access Carrier Act was amended so that emotional support animals are no longer considered service animals, thus they're subject to air fees like any regular pets on American domestic flights.

You can bring an emotional support animal to a hotel if the property already has a pet-friendly policy. Since ESAs aren't considered service dogs, they don't receive the same public access rights under the law. That said, more and more hotels are opening their doors to ESAs. Well-known chains like La Quinta, Marriott, and Hampton are among those welcoming them.

Under federal law, emotional support animals are generally not allowed inside restaurants because they are not considered service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some establishments may permit them in outdoor dining areas, patios, or drive-in service spaces, where local rules are more flexible. The confusion often comes from assuming ESAs have the same legal rights as service animals. Clear policies and signage help manage expectations and maintain health standards.

Airbnb does not treat emotional support animals (ESAs) as service animals, so hosts are not required to accept them. Under Airbnb's service animal policy, only trained service animals must be accommodated. ESAs are covered by the general pet policy, meaning it's up to each host to decide whether to allow them.