Public access rights for service dogs in training (SDITs), misrepresentation laws, and key statutes — all 50 states and Washington DC. Federal ADA is the floor; state law can go higher.
A service dog in training — a dog actively being trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability. Under federal law, SDITs do not have the same public access rights as fully trained service dogs. Many states go further and grant SDITs access when working with a trainer.
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Reference only — not legal advice. Laws change. Verify current statutes before making decisions, especially for states marked "Check current statutes." A local attorney familiar with disability law is the authoritative source.
AL
Alabama
Check current statutesHas misrep law
Statute: Code of Ala. § 21-7-8; misdemeanor
Largely follows federal ADA baseline.
AK
Alaska
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: AS § 18.80.395; class B misdemeanor
Guide dog laws in AS § 18.80.395.
AZ
Arizona
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: A.R.S. § 11-1024; class 3 misdemeanor
SDITs granted access when accompanied by trainer. Strong misrep penalties.
AR
Arkansas
Check current statutesHas misrep law
Statute: Ark. Code § 20-14-305; Class A misdemeanor
Misrepresentation is a Class A misdemeanor.
CA
California
Yes — same as trained SDHas misrep law
Statute: Penal Code § 365.7; misdemeanor, fine up to $1,000
Civil Code § 54.2 grants SDITs the same public access as fully trained service dogs. Broadest state protections in the US.
CO
Colorado
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: C.R.S. § 24-34-803.5; petty offense
SDITs allowed with trainer. Misrepresentation is a petty offense. One of the stronger state frameworks.
CT
Connecticut
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: CGS § 1-1f; infraction
SDITs allowed with trainer. Misrepresentation is an infraction.
DE
Delaware
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: Del. Code tit. 6 § 4504A; fine up to $1,000
Civil Rights Law § 47-b grants SDIT access with trainer.
NC
North Carolina
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: N.C.G.S. § 168-4.2; Class 3 misdemeanor
SDITs allowed with trainer.
ND
North Dakota
Check current statutesVerify statutes
Statute: N.D. Cent. Code § 25-13-01; verify current statutes
Largely follows federal.
OH
Ohio
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: Ohio Rev. Code § 955.011; fine up to $1,000
SDITs allowed with trainer.
OK
Oklahoma
Check current statutesHas misrep law
Statute: 7 Okl. St. § 19.1; misdemeanor
Check current statutes for SDIT-specific access.
OR
Oregon
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: ORS § 659A.143; violation
SDITs allowed with trainer.
PA
Pennsylvania
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: 43 P.S. § 953; summary offense/fine
SDITs allowed with trainer.
RI
Rhode Island
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: RIGL § 40-9.1-1; fine
SDITs allowed with trainer.
SC
South Carolina
Check current statutesHas misrep law
Statute: S.C. Code § 43-33-20; fine up to $500
Check current statutes for SDIT-specific access.
SD
South Dakota
Check current statutesVerify statutes
Statute: SDCL § 20-13-23.2; verify current statutes
Largely follows federal.
TN
Tennessee
Check current statutesHas misrep law
Statute: Tenn. Code § 62-7-112; Class B misdemeanor
Check current statutes for SDIT-specific access.
TX
Texas
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: Tex. Human Resources Code § 121.006; Class A misdemeanor, fine up to $300
Tex. Human Resources Code § 121.003 grants SDIT access with trainer.
UT
Utah
Check current statutesHas misrep law
Statute: Utah Code § 62A-5b-102; fine
Check current statutes for SDIT-specific access.
VT
Vermont
Yes — with trainerVerify statutes
Statute: 9 V.S.A. § 4502; verify current statutes
9 V.S.A. § 4502 covers service animals.
VA
Virginia
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: Va. Code § 51.5-44; Class 4 misdemeanor
SDITs allowed with trainer.
WA
Washington
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: RCW § 49.60.215; civil infraction, fine up to $250
SDITs allowed with trainer.
WV
West Virginia
Check current statutesVerify statutes
Statute: W. Va. Code § 5-15-4; verify current statutes
Largely follows federal.
WI
Wisconsin
Yes — with trainerHas misrep law
Statute: Wis. Stat. § 174.056; forfeiture/fine
SDITs allowed with trainer.
WY
Wyoming
Check current statutesVerify statutes
Statute: Wyo. Stat. § 35-9-305; verify current statutes
Largely follows federal.
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No states match your search.
Legend
Yes — same as trained SD
State grants SDITs identical public access rights as fully trained service dogs.
Yes — with trainer
SDIT may access public places when accompanied by a trainer or handler working the dog.
Check current statutes
State may follow only the federal ADA baseline for SDITs, or statutes are ambiguous. Verify before relying on state-level access.
Federal baseline: Under the ADA, only fully trained service dogs performing tasks for a person with a disability are guaranteed public access. SDITs do not have federal public access rights. States set their own floor above the federal minimum.
Sources: ADA.gov service animal guidance, DOJ regulations 28 C.F.R. § 36.302, and state-level statutes as noted. Always verify against current official state statutes.
