Hawaii FAVN Test: Requirements and Timing

TLDR: The 30-day waiting period for the Hawaii FAVN test begins the day after the approved laboratory receives your pet's blood sample, not the day blood is drawn. Using an intermediate lab such as Antech or Idexx to forward the sample delays the clock. Pets that arrive before the 30-day period has elapsed are quarantined immediately with no exceptions.

Every dog and cat entering Hawaii must pass the OIE-FAVN rabies antibody blood test and complete a 30-day waiting period before arriving in the state. There is no exemption for vaccinated pets, no waiver for short visits, and no way to fix a missed deadline after your pet lands. Getting the timing right on this one step determines whether your pet walks out of the airport with you or goes directly into quarantine. For a full overview of Hawaii pet import requirements, see our Hawaii country guide.

What the FAVN Test Is

The OIE-FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) test measures whether your pet's immune system has produced a sufficient antibody response to the rabies vaccination. Hawaii requires it because vaccination alone does not guarantee immunity. A pet can receive the rabies vaccine and still not develop adequate protection. The FAVN test confirms the vaccine worked.

Hawaii requires a result of 0.5 IU/ml or greater. A result below that threshold means your pet does not qualify for the 5 Day Or Less program or direct airport release, and the test must be repeated after additional vaccination.

The test is not painful or invasive. Your veterinarian draws a blood sample, typically 2 to 3 ml, and ships it to an approved laboratory. The laboratory runs the test and reports results directly to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity if "HAWAII" is listed as the destination on the submission form.

Before the Test: Microchip First

Your pet must have an electronic microchip implanted before the FAVN blood test is performed. This sequence is mandatory and cannot be reversed. A FAVN test done before microchipping does not count toward Hawaii's requirements. The laboratory will record the microchip number on the results, and the Hawaii AQS will verify that the number matches all other documents. If the chip cannot be scanned at inspection or the numbers do not match, your pet will not qualify for direct release regardless of a passing test result.

Approved Laboratories

The Hawaii Animal Quarantine Station accepts FAVN results from four approved laboratories only:

Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSU)
The most commonly used lab for civilian pet owners. Your veterinarian likely already has the KSU submission form. KSU will send results directly to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity if "HAWAII" is listed as the destination on the submission form.

Important: KSU's Micro Screen Rabies Screen Test, also referred to as Micro RFFIT or MRS, is not accepted by Hawaii. This is a different, cheaper test that KSU offers. Make sure your veterinarian orders the OIE-FAVN test specifically, not the Micro Screen variant. If the wrong test is run, the result is invalid and the entire process must restart from a new blood draw.

Auburn University
Contact Auburn University directly for current fees, sample submission instructions, and turnaround times: 261 Greene Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-5519. Phone: (334) 844-2659.

University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory
Phone: (573) 882-6811 or 1-800-862-8635.

DOD Food Analysis and Diagnostic Laboratory (Fort Sam Houston, Texas)
Available to DoD beneficiaries who are authorized treatment at DoD Medical Treatment Facilities only. Not available to civilian pet owners. Military families on PCS orders to Hawaii can use this lab, which may have different processing timelines than civilian labs.

The Waiting Period: How It Works

This is the step that trips up the most pet owners.

The 30-day waiting period begins the day after the approved laboratory receives your pet's blood sample. Not the day your vet draws blood. Not the day the sample ships. The day after the approved lab has the sample in hand.

Your pet cannot arrive in Hawaii until that 30-day period has fully elapsed. If your pet arrives one day early, quarantine begins immediately at $14.30 per day plus the $244 program fee. There are no exceptions and no appeals.

How to calculate your eligibility date:

1. Confirm the date the approved lab received the sample. Your vet can get this from the lab, or you can check at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-microchip-search/ using your pet's microchip number
2. Add 30 days to that date
3. That date is the earliest your pet can arrive in Hawaii

Example: Lab receives blood on June 1. Day 1 of the waiting period is June 2. The 30-day period ends July 1. Your pet can arrive in Hawaii on July 1 or later.

The Intermediate Lab Trap

Many veterinary clinics do not ship directly to KSU, Auburn, Missouri, or the DOD lab. Instead, they send blood through an intermediate laboratory such as Antech or Idexx, which then forwards the sample to the approved lab.

This creates a delay that directly affects your eligibility date. The 30-day clock does not start when Antech or Idexx receives the blood. It starts the day after the approved laboratory receives it. If your vet ships to Antech on Monday and Antech forwards to KSU on Thursday, your clock starts Friday, not Tuesday.

This is one of the most common causes of miscalculated eligibility dates. Before your vet submits the sample, confirm whether they are shipping directly to an approved lab or routing through an intermediate. If they use an intermediate, add several business days to your timeline calculation and confirm receipt directly with your vet.

Processing Times

FAVN testing laboratories typically return results in 6 to 8 weeks. During peak travel season or periods of high demand, processing may take longer. Check the current advisory at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-info/ before finalizing your timeline. For a full picture of how the FAVN test fits into the broader Hawaii pet import timeline, see our dedicated timeline guide.

The 30-day waiting period runs from the day after the approved lab receives the blood, not after results arrive. If lab processing takes 6 to 8 weeks and the 30-day period runs concurrently, your pet may be eligible before results are even in hand. If processing runs longer, the waiting period may complete before or after results arrive depending on timing. Confirm your eligibility date against the microchip search tool, not just the results letter.

How Long the FAVN Result Is Valid

A passing FAVN result is valid for 36 months from the date the laboratory received the blood sample, provided your pet's rabies vaccination remains current throughout that period. If your pet's most recent rabies vaccination expires before the 36-month window closes, the FAVN result is no longer valid regardless of the date.

If your pet already has a passing FAVN result on file and both the result and the vaccination are current, you do not need to repeat the test for a subsequent Hawaii trip. You will still need a current health certificate, tick treatment, and AQS-279 form for each entry.

The NIIP Connection

If your destination is Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island, your Neighbor Island Inspection Permit cannot be issued until the Animal Quarantine Station has confirmed a passing FAVN result. Do not book a direct neighbor island flight until you have a confirmed passing result in hand. Owners who book neighbor island flights before receiving results and then face processing delays have missed their flights or been forced to route through Honolulu at significant additional cost.

AQS also requires that all NIIP documents be submitted 30 days before arrival, which means your FAVN result must be confirmed and your 30-day waiting period must be complete at least 30 days before your flight. Build that into your timeline.

Checking Your Results

You do not need to contact the laboratory directly for results. If "HAWAII" was listed as the destination on the KSU or DOD submission form, the laboratory will send results directly to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Your veterinarian will also receive a copy.

You can check your pet's FAVN result and waiting period eligibility date online at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-microchip-search/ using your pet's microchip number.

Do not call the laboratory for results. AQS explicitly advises against it.

What Happens If the Test Fails

A result below 0.5 IU/ml means your pet does not qualify for the 5 Day Or Less program. Your options are to vaccinate again and repeat the test, or to enter Hawaii under the 120-day quarantine program. There is no appeal and no on-site resolution. A failed result is a hard stop until a passing result is obtained and a new 30-day waiting period is completed from the date the approved lab receives the new sample.

How PetRelocation Can Help

The FAVN test has more moving parts than it appears on paper: lab selection, submission form accuracy, intermediate lab routing, waiting period calculation, and NIIP coordination all depend on getting this step right. PetRelocation's relocation coordinators guide the FAVN process as part of every Hawaii move, including confirming lab receipt dates, calculating eligibility windows, and coordinating the NIIP application once a passing result is confirmed.

Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through every step.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the 30-day waiting period start? The waiting period begins the day after the approved laboratory receives your pet's blood sample. Not the day blood is drawn, and not the day it ships. If you use an intermediate lab such as Antech or Idexx, the clock starts the day after the approved lab receives the forwarded sample, not when the intermediate lab first received it.

Which lab should I use for the Hawaii FAVN test? For most civilian pet owners, Kansas State University is the most common choice. Your veterinarian likely already has the submission form. Make sure to order the OIE-FAVN test specifically. KSU's Micro Screen Rabies Screen Test (also called Micro RFFIT or MRS) is a different test and is not accepted by Hawaii. Military families authorized for DoD medical facilities can use the DOD lab at Fort Sam Houston.

How long does the FAVN test take? Approved labs typically return results in 6 to 8 weeks. Processing may take longer during peak periods. Check the current advisory at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/aqs-info before finalizing your timeline.

How long is a passing FAVN result valid? A passing result is valid for 36 months from the date the laboratory received the blood sample, provided your pet's rabies vaccination remains current throughout that period. If the vaccination expires before the 36-month window closes, the FAVN result is no longer valid.

Does my pet need a new FAVN test for every trip to Hawaii? Not necessarily. If your pet has a passing result on file that is within the 36-month validity window and the rabies vaccination is current, the existing result covers subsequent Hawaii entries. Cat owners can find species-specific guidance in our article on moving your cat to Hawaii. You will still need a current health certificate, tick treatment, and AQS-279 form for each trip.

Can I check my pet's FAVN result online? Yes. Use your pet's microchip number to check results and your eligibility date at dab.hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animal-quarantine-microchip-search/. Do not call the laboratory directly.

What happens if my pet fails the FAVN test? A result below 0.5 IU/ml means your pet does not qualify for the 5 Day Or Less program. You will need to vaccinate again and repeat the test, then complete a new 30-day waiting period from the date the approved lab receives the new sample. There is no appeal and no minimum quarantine option for a failed result outside of the standard 120-day program.