Pet care | Nevada | Licensing updates
Clark County Animal-Handler Training Now Applies to Pet-Service Owners and Staff
Unincorporated Clark County began implementing recurring animal-handler training August 4 for groomers, boarders, trainers, pet sitters, kennels, catteries,…
- Confirm whether each address is in unincorporated Clark County or an incorporated city.
- Track employee name, hire date, completion date, expiration date, and certificate.
- Display the required reporting signage and create a written 12-hour death-notification procedure.
- Schedule renewal training every two years rather than treating the course as one-time onboarding.
Published: 2026-09-01 · Reviewed: 2026-09-01
Official context
Nevada AB 418 required counties and incorporated cities to establish recurring training for owners or operators of kennels, rescues, and commercial establishments that handle pets, including groomers. Clark County's implementation took effect August 4, 2026 for unincorporated Clark County. Its free online course applies to covered owners and employees with direct animal-contact or care duties. New employees have six months after hire; existing employees have six months after August 4; and existing owners must complete training before business-license renewal or within six months after August 4, whichever comes first. Retraining is required every two years.
What this means
Clark County's covered activities include grooming, boarding, training, professional pet sitting, kennels, catteries, and other pet-service operations. Businesses must keep proof of owner and employee training, including expiration dates, for Animal Protection Services. The ordinance also requires covered businesses to post county-provided animal-welfare reporting signs, report an animal death to the county within 12 hours, and comply with body-preservation and possible necropsy provisions. These county requirements do not automatically describe the rules inside Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, or another incorporated jurisdiction.
Official sources
- https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/12553/Text
- https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/government/departments/administrative_services/animal_protection_services/animal-handler-course
- https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/assets/documents/government/departments/administrative_services/animal_protection_services/business-impact-statement-public-notice-cover-letter-public-notice-and-ordinance.pdf
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