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Updated:3/31/2011

Inspection Requirements and Fees

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Out of State Movement
A brand inspection (to verify ownership) is required prior to the movement of cattle and horses to an out of state destination. If the animal bears a brand not recorded to the person in possession, proof of ownership documentation must be provided.

Change of Ownership Inspections
Change of Ownership Inspections are required when the ownership of cattle is transferred to someone else (sale, gift, barter, trade, etc.). When livestock are consigned to a public livestock market, this inspection is performed automatically by WSDA staff. For a private treaty transaction, the inspection is scheduled by the seller in advance of the transaction, and should done before payment for the livestock is made. Once the inspection is performed, the buyer is provided with a certificate documenting the sale and transferring the title of the animal from the seller to the buyer.

The ability to provide self-inspection for transactions of twenty five head or less of cattle was removed from statute effective June 10, 2010. As a result, all mandatory change of ownership inspections must be performed by either a WSDA Brand Inspector or a Certified Veterinarian. Only self-inspection certificates issued for transactions that occurred prior to June 10, 2010 will be accepted as satisfactory proof of ownership.

As a result of the law change, the WSDA Livestock Inspection Program worked hard to develop an alternative inspection process that is efficient and cost-effective for our producers. The following only applies to transactions when the cattle are NOT moved out of state:

If a transaction is to occur and a WSDA Brand Inspector or Certified Veterinarian is unavailable to conduct an inspection, cattle (both branded and unbranded) may move from the Seller's location to the Buyer's location with a bill of sale and a Certificate of Permit (haul slip). Once moved, the Seller and Buyer have fifteen (15) days to contact a WSDA Brand Inspector to schedule and present the animal(s) for inspection. It is the Seller's responsibility to contact the WSDA immediately upon sale and the Buyer's responsibility to present the cattle for inspection within the fifteen (15) days from the initial transaction.
Ownership inspections for terminal steer sales involving youth, FFA, or 4-H are exempt from the fifteen (15) day inspection requirement and may be inspected, if not prior, upon consignment to the appropriate fair, junior livestock show, etc.
The Program will waive the time and mileage fee for private treaty transactions of ten (10) head or less of cattle bearing the Seller's brand and special sales of 4-H, FFA, or junior livestock groups. Instead, standard inspection fees will apply ($1.10 per head or $5.00 minimum). For unbranded cattle, inspection fees of $1.60 per head or time and mileage (whichever is greater) will apply.

The time and mileage fee waiver for cattle bearing the Seller's Washington recorded brand will be limited to 12 waivers within a calendar year. Punch cards are available upon request by calling (360) 902-1855 and will be used to track each time a Seller chooses to waive the time and mileage fee.
To receive the waiver, the punch card must be presented to the WSDA Brand Inspector or Certified Veterinarian at the time of inspection. It is the responsibility of the Seller to retain and present the punch card. If not presented, an inspection fee of time and mileage may be assessed. Punch cards are non-transferrable and non-replaceable if lost and will expire December 31st of each year.

Attention Horse Owners
Change of ownership inspections are not required when selling horses unless the animal will be transported out of state. Though not required by law, WSDA strongly recommends this inspection be performed if the horse is branded, to insure the seller is the legal owner of the animal.

Yearly and Lifetime Inspection
For those individuals who repeatedly transport individual livestock out of state (cattle and horses) the Department offers two popular options. These inspections allow the livestock owner to transport the animal out of state and back again without obtaining additional inspections.

A Yearly Inspectionis valid for twelve months from the time of issue.

A Lifetime Inspection is valid until such time as the animal is sold. At the time of the inspection, the horse owner will be given a temporary certificate and a permanent ID card will be mailed later by the Olympia office.

Livestock Inspection Fees

Identified Cattle-(bearing the brand of the seller-shipper)	$1.10 per Head
Non Identified Cattle (unbranded or bearing other brands)	$1.60 per Head
Cattle Processing Plants (500 head or less daily capacity)	$4.00 per Head
Identified calves (cow-calf pairs) - out of state with pasture permit	No Charge
Horses	$3.50 per Head
Yearly Inspection Certificate	$20.00 per Head
Lifetime Inspection Certificate	$60.00 per Head

Note: The fee for field inspections performed by the WSDA Brand Inspector of cattle or horses is the greater of the per head fee or time and mileage at $17.00 per hour and a mileage rate set by the Office of Fiscal Management.

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