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Livestock Drug Program

The Livestock Drug Program regulates sales of all over-the-counter livestock drugs in California. The Program reviews and approves product registrations, issues retailer licenses, and conducts inspections to verify compliance. Fees are collected for licensing and registration to fund this program.

Licensing, Registration, and Fees

The Livestock Drug program requires registration for all livestock drug products including restricted livestock drugs and California Prescription Drugs being sold within, or into, the state of California. All retail locations must have a Restricted Livestock Drug License to lawfully sell restricted livestock drugs. Failure to obtain the necessary credentials to sell livestock drugs may result in the immediate quarantine of products. For more information on licensing, registration, and fees, click the heading.

General Information

Restricted Livestock Drugs and California Prescription Drugs

Certain antimicrobial restricted livestock drugs changed status on January 1, 2018 to require a prescription for purchase and use in California. CDFA has published final regulations clarifying new retailer requirements to sell restricted livestock drugs, including products that now require a prescription in California. Pursuant to the new regulations, these products are now defined as California prescription drugs. The adopted regulation text and final statement of reasons can be found at: /is/Regulations.

Please reference the documents below for more information about important changes to how these products can be sold. Additional resources will be posted as they become available.

• Letter to Restricted Livestock Drug Licensed Retailers
• What Does a Retailer Need to Do to Sell California Prescription Drugs?
• What is Required to Become a Livestock Drug Qualified Individual?
• Restricted Livestock Drug Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• List of Restricted Livestock Drugs – No Prescription Required
• List of California Prescription Drugs

For more information about medically important antimicrobial drugs, please visit the Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship website.

New! Livestock Drug Qualified Individual Training

Now Live! The Livestock Drug Qualified Individual Training is online!

The Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship (AUS) program has developed the Livestock Drug Qualified Individual (QI) training into an online course for interested participants. Once you have completed the registration process it may take up to two weeks to receive the confirmation of enrollment email containing your login credentials.

If you have any questions or would like to be emailed any updates, please contact us at AUS_Regulations@cdfa.ca.gov.

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