The state of California, Montana, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Iowa instituted a law that requires a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner to have a client-provider relationship with the individual for at least 30 days prior to providing the ESA Letter. This law applies to all California, Montana, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Iowa residents. As a result of these laws, you will need two separate consultations from one of our Licensed Therapists, one thirty days after the other. On the second consultation, your assigned Licensed Therapist will write you an ESA Letter. Due to these state regulations, your landlord is allowed to ask for more information about your ESA and how it supports you. Hence, the first evaluation will address your official diagnosis and the second evaluation will address your relationship with your pet and how your pet supports your mental health.
Unfortunately, if you’re a California, Montana, Arkansas, Louisiana, or Iowa resident, we cannot offer our “expedited service” option for those needing ESA Letters ASAP. Furthermore, due to the need for two separate evaluations to be conducted by your assigned Licensed Therapist, the price of the ESA Letter will increase by $65.
This law only applies to ESA. The 30 day period does NOT apply for a Psychiatric Service Dog. However, the $65 fee is still required to cover the expenses associated with securing a Licensed Mental Health Practitioner who meets the specific requirements mandated by the jurisdiction.