Evidence Based
Evidence Based
This article is objectively based on relevant scientific literature, written by experienced medical writers, and fact-checked by a team of degreed medical experts.
Our team of registered dietitian nutritionists and licensed medical professionals seek to remain objective and unbiased while preserving the integrity of any scientific debate.
The articles contain evidence-based references from approved scientific sites. The numbers* in parentheses (*1,2,3) will take you to clickable links to our reputable sources.
NC Emotional Support Animal: How To Register Yours In The Tar Heel State
Updated on
- Written by Nyasha Stevens, BS
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Maya Frankfurt, PhD
Welcoming an emotional support animal (ESA) into your life is a profound decision. These special companions offer comfort and reassurance for individuals grappling with emotional or mental health challenges.
If you are considering this step in North Carolina, it’s important to understand the North Carolina emotional support animal laws. From housing to employment to transportation, we’ll cover all you need to know about the rules and regulations around ESAs in the Tar Heel state.
Whether you’re wondering how many emotional support animals you can have or how to get an ESA letter, you’ll find your answers here. This guide will help you confidently and easily navigate the journey of becoming an ESA owner in North Carolina.
NC Emotional Support Animal: North Carolina Laws
In North Carolina, emotional support animals are protected under specific federal laws, such as the Fair Housing Act and the Air Carrier Access Act. Key takeaways include:
- ESAs are allowed in housing facilities, even those with “no-pet” policies.
- No extra fees can be charged for an ESA in housing (except for damages directly caused by the ESA).
- ESAs may be recognized in workplaces and public spaces depending on specific situations, including on airlines[1].
Understanding these laws will help you navigate your rights as an emotional support animal owner.
Emotional Support Animal (ESA): Introduction
An emotional support animal (ESA) is more than just a pet. It’s a companion that provides therapeutic benefits to a person with a mental, emotional, or psychiatric disability. Unlike service animals, ESAs are not required to perform specific tasks. Their primary role is to provide emotional comfort and companionship, helping alleviate symptoms of conditions like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Whether you have a dog, cat, or other assistance animal, these loving creatures can be registered as ESAs. Understanding the role of an ESA is the first step toward registering your animal.
Understanding The Difference Between An Emotional Support Animal And A Service Animal
Though they are both assistance animals, it’s important to note the distinction between an emotional support animal and a service animal. A service animal[2], such as a guide dog for a blind person, is trained to perform specific tasks that aid a person with daily life.
On the other hand, an emotional support animal provides comfort and alleviates symptoms of a mental or emotional disability, but it isn’t trained to perform specific tasks.
Knowing this difference can help you navigate the varying laws and regulations that apply to each.
Emotional Support Animal Laws In North Carolina
North Carolina has specific laws that protect the rights of individuals who require emotional support animals. These laws outline the obligations of various entities, such as employers, landlords, and transportation providers.
Employment Laws In North Carolina
Like other states, North Carolina abides by federal laws that protect individuals with disabilities in the workplace[3]. These laws prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities and require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, including the allowance for emotional support animals in some cases.
Housing Laws In North Carolina
In North Carolina, housing providers must adhere to the federal Fair Housing Act, which protects people with disabilities from discrimination in housing[4] situations. This law includes provisions for emotional support animals, meaning a landlord cannot refuse housing or charge a pet fee for a tenant’s emotional support animal.
Transportation Laws In North Carolina
The Air Carrier Access Act governs the rules for emotional support animals for travel within North Carolina or between states. It allows emotional support animals to accompany their owners in an aircraft cabin[5], given the owner can provide appropriate documentation, such as an ESA letter.
How To Qualify For An ESA In North Carolina?
Qualifying for an emotional support animal in North Carolina involves a straightforward process. It begins with identifying your need for an ESA and continues with obtaining an emotional support animal letter from a licensed mental health professional.
Recognizing Your Need For An ESA
The first step towards qualifying for an emotional support animal in North Carolina is recognizing and understanding your emotional or mental disability. You may be eligible for an ESA if your mental health condition significantly impacts your daily life activities.
Obtaining An ESA Letter
Once you’ve recognized your need, the next step is obtaining an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional. This document confirms your emotional or mental disability and states that an ESA would benefit your health and well-being.
If you don’t already have a healthcare provider, you can check out our reviews of the best legitimate ESA services online, like this Certapet review.
Emotional Support Animal Registration NC
While there is no official registry for emotional support animals in North Carolina, having an ESA letter is considered sufficient proof of your need for an ESA. Always ensure your letter is up to date and from a licensed mental health professional.
Legitimate ESA Letter: How To Get One?
An ESA letter is crucial for those needing an emotional support animal in North Carolina. The process involves assessment, consultation with a therapist, and a few additional steps.
- Finish The Assessment: First, if you don’t already possess a formal diagnosis, complete an online mental health assessment. This process can help determine whether you qualify for an emotional support animal based on your mental health needs.
- Schedule A Consultation With A Therapist: After completing the assessment, you should schedule a consultation with a licensed mental health professional. This professional will evaluate your needs and issue an ESA letter if appropriate.
- Verification and ESA Letter Issue: Post consultation, the therapist will verify your mental health condition and the need for an ESA. If all checks out, they’ll issue an ESA letter which you can use to assert your rights under North Carolina law.
- Maintain Your ESA Letter: Remember to keep your ESA letter updated. It is valid for one year from the date of issue. After this period, your housing provider may or may not request that you renew the letter to continue receiving the benefits of an ESA in North Carolina.
Taking An ESA On An Airplane To And From North Carolina
Traveling with your emotional support animal to and from North Carolina is manageable with a bit of preparation.
Inform the airline about your ESA at least 48 hours before your flight. Most airlines require an ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional. Some may have additional forms for you to fill out.
Understand that each airline may have slightly different policies concerning emotional support animals and are still permitted to charge pet fees (something that never applies to service animals).
Emotional Support Animals And Workplace In North Carolina
There’s no specific North Carolina law covering ESAs in the workplace. However, employers are required to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with a documented disability, and these accommodations may involve an emotional support animal.
Always discuss your needs with your employer. It’s crucial to approach the conversation with understanding and openness and provide requested documentation promptly. On the other hand, employers are expected to treat such requests fairly and should refer to the best ESA guidelines to assist their employees in the best possible way.
Conclusion
North Carolina has fair laws regarding emotional support animals. If you believe you could benefit from an ESA, reach out to a licensed mental health professional and begin the process of getting an ESA letter. Your ESA can provide invaluable emotional support and help you lead a happier, more balanced life. Keeping up to date on emotional support animal laws in North Carolina can help you exercise your rights and ensure you and your ESA enjoy a harmonious relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Under federal law, a landlord cannot deny housing to a person with an emotional support animal unless the animal poses a threat or causes undue financial and administrative burden. Nor can a landlord tell you how many emotional support animals you can have.
To qualify for an emotional support animal in NC, you need a letter from a licensed mental health professional stating that the animal provides the necessary support for your mental health condition.
No. Landlords cannot charge a pet deposit or additional fees for emotional support animals.
North Carolina has no official registration process for an ESA. You simply need a legitimate ESA letter from a licensed mental health professional.
Yes, NC recognizes emotional support animals and upholds the rights of ESA owners under the Fair Housing Act.
It depends on the restaurant’s policies, but it’s not required by law. ESAs do not have the same access rights as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
+ 5 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Service Animal Final Rule FAQs. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2020-12/Service%20Animal%20Final%20Rule%20FAQs.pdf.
- Howell, T.J., Nieforth, L.O., Thomas-Pino, C., Samet, L., S. Agbonika, Cuevas-Pavincich, F., Nina Ekholm Fry, Hill, K., Jegatheesan, B., Kakinuma, M., MacNamara, M., Sanna Mattila-Rautiainen, Perry, A., Christine Yvette Tardif-Williams, Walsh, E.J., Winkle, M., Yamamoto, M., Yerbury, R.M., Vijay P.S. Rawat and Alm, K. (2022). Defining Terms Used for Animals Working in Support Roles for People with Support Needs. [online] 12(15), pp.1975–1975. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12151975.
- https://www.oah.nc.gov/documents/files/reasonable-accommodation-and-reasonable-modification-overview/open
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (2000). Housing Discrimination Under the Fair Housing Act. [online] Hud.gov. Available at: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/fair_housing_act_overview.
- Service Animal Final Rule FAQs. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2020-12/Service%20Animal%20Final%20Rule%20FAQs.pdf.
Written by:
Nyasha Stevens, BS
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
