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A rabies titer test measures the rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood to prove the vaccine worked. Rabies-free places, including Hawaii, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, require it before a dog or cat can arrive without a long quarantine. The test that counts for travel is the FAVN (fluorescent antibody virus neutralization), run only at approved labs. A pass is a result of 0.5 IU/mL or higher.
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Who needs a rabies titer test?
- Hawaii, for pets to qualify for release at the airport instead of quarantine.
- Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and other rabies-free countries.
- The EU and UK, only for pets coming from countries not on their approved lists. Pets from the US don’t need one.
- The US, for dogs vaccinated abroad that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies. See our CDC dog import rules guide.
Pets moving within the mainland US, or to Canada, Mexico, the EU or the UK from the US, don’t need a titer test.
How the test works
- Your pet must have a microchip and a current rabies vaccine. Some destinations require two vaccines.
- Your vet draws a blood sample, usually at least 30 days after the rabies vaccine, and spins it to separate the serum.
- The vet ships the serum to an approved lab with the lab’s submission form, listing the microchip number.
- The lab reports the result in IU/mL. Keep the original report, because destinations ask for it.
Approved labs in the US
Hawaii accepts FAVN results from Kansas State University, Auburn University and the University of Missouri, plus the Department of Defense lab for military families. Kansas State’s faster screening test is not accepted for Hawaii. Other destinations and the CDC publish their own approved lists, so check the lab against your destination before the blood draw.
How long does it take?
Allow 2 to 6 weeks for results, and longer at busy times. Hawaii warns that lab processing can take 1 to 2 months. The test is usually not the slow part. The waiting periods after it are:
| Destination | Wait after a passing test |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | 30 days, counted from the day the lab receives the blood sample |
| US (foreign-vaccinated dogs, high-risk countries) | Blood drawn at least 28 days before arrival |
| EU (from unlisted countries) | 3 months |
| Japan and Australia | About 180 days |
For the strictest destinations, start at least six to seven months before you move. For Hawaii, a pet with no rabies vaccine history needs about 4 to 6 months, because three 30-day waits stack up: between the two rabies vaccines, after the latest vaccine, and after the lab receives the blood sample.
How much does a rabies titer test cost?
The lab fee for an FAVN test is about $90 to $150. Add your vet’s exam, blood draw and overnight shipping, and most owners pay $200 to $400 in total. The pet flight cost calculator includes it for Hawaii and international moves.
If your pet fails
A result under 0.5 IU/mL means your pet needs another rabies vaccine and a new blood test. The CDC suggests waiting at least 14 days after the booster before the new draw. The waiting period starts again from the new passing test, so a failed test can push a move back by months.
How long is a titer result valid?
It depends on the destination. For the CDC, a passing titer lasts for life as long as the rabies vaccine never lapses. Hawaii accepts a passing FAVN for 36 months. Keep your pet’s vaccines on schedule so the result stays usable.
Rabies titer test FAQ
What is a FAVN test?
The fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test, the rabies titer test that most travel destinations accept.
What titer level is a pass?
0.5 IU/mL or higher.
Does my dog need a titer test to go to Europe?
Not from the US. The EU requires one only for pets coming from unlisted countries.
Can cats get a rabies titer test?
Yes. The process and labs are the same for cats and dogs.
How soon after the rabies vaccine can the blood be drawn?
Usually at least 30 days after the vaccine. Check your destination’s exact rule.
Moving to Hawaii? Read our guide to bringing a dog or cat to Hawaii, and use the free pet move timeline to get every deadline from your arrival date.
