Across the country, state animal health officials are steadily moving away from paper Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) and toward fully electronic systems. What was once a gradual modernization effort is quickly becoming a clear industry direction.
Within the past year, Minnesota and Texas have announced they will no longer accept paper CVIs. Most recently, the Ohio Department of Agriculture shared its formal timeline for transitioning to an electronic-only CVI system.
When multiple states take similar action within a short period of time, it signals more than isolated regulatory updates. It signals momentum. Electronic CVIs are becoming the standard.
Ohio’s Announcement Adds to the Trend
The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Animal Health has outlined a phased transition to electronic CVIs:
- Beginning January 1, 2026: ODA will finalize the transition to an electronic-only CVI system for both intrastate and interstate CVIs.
- By July 1, 2026: The transition will focus on export CVIs.
- By January 1, 2027: All interstate and intrastate CVIs must be electronic. Paper CVIs for imports or exports will no longer be accepted.
You can view the full ODA announcement on their website.
Ohio now joins Minnesota and Texas in publicly committing to eliminate paper CVIs for animal movement. Together, these announcements suggest a broader shift in how states are approaching animal movement documentation.
Why States Are Moving Away from Paper
The transition to electronic CVIs is rooted in traceability, efficiency, and animal health protection. Digital systems allow animal health officials to access information more quickly and accurately. In situations involving disease monitoring or emergency response, timely access to complete and legible data is critical.
Paper certificates can be delayed, incomplete, or difficult to read. They require manual handling and additional processing steps. Electronic systems reduce those risks and improve oversight of animal movement across state lines.
For regulators, electronic CVIs strengthen biosecurity and reporting capabilities. For veterinarians, they can simplify workflows and reduce administrative friction.
What This Means for Veterinary Clinics
For clinics still relying on paper CVIs, these announcements are important signals. Even if your state has not yet published a formal timeline, the direction is becoming clear.
Waiting until mandates are fully enforced can create unnecessary operational pressure. Staff may need to learn new systems quickly. Processes may need to be adjusted under time constraints. Rushed transitions increase the likelihood of errors and delays.
Clinics that adopt electronic CVIs proactively are able to transition on their own timeline. This allows for smoother implementation, more thorough staff training, and minimal disruption to client service.
Beyond compliance, many practices find that electronic CVIs improve organization, reduce redundant data entry, and create more reliable recordkeeping.
Preparing Your Clinic for What’s Next
GlobalVetLink’s electronic CVI platform is designed to align with state requirements while simplifying the certificate creation process for veterinarians. Clinics can complete certificates digitally, maintain organized records, and submit documentation in accordance with evolving regulations.
As more states formalize their electronic-only requirements, adopting a trusted electronic CVI solution helps future-proof your compliance workflow and reduce last-minute stress.
The shift away from paper CVIs is underway. Now is the time to evaluate your process and ensure your clinic is prepared for what comes next.
