Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) Testing for Imported Horses

Last Modified: March 22, 2024

Contagious equine metritis (CEM) is a venereal disease of horses. In most cases, horses that are sexually intact, over 731 days of age, and from a region or country affected by CEM are subject to CEM quarantine before being allowed into the United States, unless they have an import permit waiver.

Each CEM quarantine facility is State-approved and -operated, with APHIS oversight. The documents listed below are reference material for State CEM coordinators.

Approved Labs for CEM Testing

(PDF, 48.08 KB)

Labs approved to conduct CEM culture and serology (complement fixation test)
VS Guidance Document 15202.2

(PDF, 224.8 KB)

Approval of and Requirements for Laboratories to Conduct Tests for Contagious Equine Metritis
VS Guidance 13406.3

(PDF, 308.3 KB)

CEM Testing for Imported Horses at Approved Quarantine Facilities

Importing Horses and Other Equines

The requirements to import horses, mules, donkeys, asses, zebras, and their hybrids into our country depend on several factors.

How To Import Horses and Other Equines into the United States

States Approved for Conducting CEM Testing

StateEmail or WebsitePhone Number
Californiaahbfeedback@cdfa.ca.gov 916-900-5002
Coloradocolorado.gov/aganimals303-869-9130 
FloridaEquinePrograms@FDACS.com 850-410-0942
Indiana animalhealth@boah.in.gov317-544-2400
Kentuckyagr.equine@ky.gov502-573-0282 
Marylandanimalhealth.mda@maryland.gov410-841-5810
New Jerseynj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah609-671-6400
New Yorkinfo@miller-dvm.com914-276-1260
North Carolinajoe.web@ncagr.gov919-707-3250
Ohioanimal@agri.ohio.gov614-728-6220
Oregoninfo@oda.state.or.us503-986-4680
Rhode Islanddem.ri.gov/programs/agriculture401-222-2781
Tennesseeanimal.health@TN.gov615-837-5120
Virginiavastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov804-786-2483
WisconsinDATCPAnimalImports@wisconsin.gov608-224-4872

For general information about this disease, visit Contagious Equine Metritis.

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