Coop Companion

NPIP in Tennessee

Verified September 2026

The short version

Tennessee participates in the National Poultry Improvement Plan, administered in-state by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture through the State Veterinarian's office and the C.E. Kord Animal Health Laboratory (Tennessee's Official State Agency). Tennessee holds U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State status. As in most states, moving hatching eggs or birds across state lines generally requires NPIP participation or pullorum-typhoid-clean testing. Exact fees, testing procedures, and in-state sale rules are set by the state agency — confirm current details with them using the official links below.

Tennessee Official State Agency

Tennessee Department of Agriculture — State Veterinarian / C.E. Kord Animal Health Laboratory (Official State Agency)

Official website →NPIP contact →

Joining NPIP in this state

  • NPIP is administered in Tennessee by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (State Veterinarian / C.E. Kord Animal Health Laboratory) — apply to join through that Official State Agency.
  • Hobbyist, exhibition, and breeding-to-sell flocks fall under the federal rules in 9 CFR part 145 (Subpart E); the state agency handles enrollment and testing locally.
  • The base classification is U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean; other classifications (e.g. Avian Influenza Clean) may apply depending on your birds and where you ship.

Pullorum-typhoid testing

  • Tennessee is recognized as a U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State under the NPIP.
  • Poultry moving interstate generally must be pullorum-typhoid clean (via NPIP participation) or test negative before leaving the state — most destination states require it.
  • Testing is performed by an authorized tester; the state agency can tell you who can test and how to arrange it.

Selling & shipping eggs and birds

  • Shipping hatching eggs or live birds to another state generally requires NPIP status or pullorum-typhoid-clean testing, because most states bar entry otherwise.
  • Rules for selling within Tennessee, and any permits or flock-size thresholds, are set by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture — confirm them directly.

Show testing requirements

  • Many Tennessee shows require pullorum-typhoid testing or NPIP participation for entry; the exact requirement is set by each show and state animal-health rules.
  • Confirm a specific show's testing requirement with the show secretary and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture before entering.

Record-keeping

  • Keep your NPIP flock/certificate number, testing dates and results, and buyer/sales records — you'll need them for shipping, shows, and inspections.
  • A printable testing log and sales ledger makes this painless — see the NPIP record pack below.

Confirm these with the state agency

  • Current NPIP fees in Tennessee (if any) and the exact enrollment/testing procedure — set by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (State Veterinarian / C.E. Kord Animal Health Laboratory); confirm via the official links.
  • Rules for selling poultry within Tennessee (permits, thresholds, farmers-market rules) — confirm with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture rather than relying on any national summary.
  • The specific division and lab contact for enrollment can change; the current NPIP contact is listed on Tennessee's Official State Agency page at poultryimprovement.org — verify before applying.

Frequently asked questions

Who administers NPIP in Tennessee?
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture, through the State Veterinarian's office and the C.E. Kord Animal Health Laboratory — Tennessee's Official State Agency for the National Poultry Improvement Plan.
Do I need NPIP to sell hatching eggs from Tennessee?
To ship across state lines, generally yes — most states require poultry and eggs to be pullorum-typhoid clean (via NPIP) to enter. For sales within Tennessee, confirm the current rules with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
Is Tennessee a Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State?
Yes — Tennessee holds U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean State status under the NPIP.
How much does NPIP cost in Tennessee?
Fees and procedures are set by the state agency and can change, so we don't quote a figure here — contact the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (links above) for current costs.

Sources

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