Racing licenses are issued by individual states and there is no one single license that covers all states. Generally, if you are licensed in one state, another state accepts that you have met the requirements for a license, though you are still required to pay the fee and have a license issued by that state.

You can also apply for a National Racing Compact license as an owner, trainer, or driver. NRC charges a 3-year fee of $225, which includes an FBI record-check.

NRC archives your fingerprints, you will never be fingerprinted again. NRC can print state fingerprint cards for you, and electronically resubmit your original fingerprints.

The NRC license is valid, on paying the state licensing fee, in nine member-state harness jurisdictions: CA, DE, FL, KY, MD, NJ, NY, VA, and WV. NRC licensees simply call NRC toll-free (877-457-2548) to add another state. NRC staff immediately provides all paperwork to each state licensing office, including your state fee payments using your credit card or funds on account, so that you can immediately race.

Seven participating jurisdictions require only their licensing fee, and little or no paperwork, to issue a state/provincial owners license: IL, IN, IA, MI, PA, OH, and Ontario. NRC staff will submit your documents (fingerprints, application form, photograph) and process your state fee payments for you.

If co-owners are NRC licensed, then NRC can issue your stable (partnership, etc.) a national ownership-entity/stable-name license. One NRC application form will be all the paperwork you and your co-owners will complete to register and license your ownership entity or stable name in these 16 jurisdictions. Your stable must be U.S.T.A. registered.

NRC maintains a convenient website (www.racinglicense.com) with online individual application forms and your current license information for these 16 jurisdictions. NRC will only license persons with no significant licensing issues (see website for details), including excellent criminal and racing records, in good standing, and financially sound. Trainers and drivers must also be experienced (100 starts in past 3 years), licensed in a rigorous-background jurisdiction (IL, NJ, or NY), and licensed by the U.S.T.A.

CALIFORNIA
Contact: Al Tier (916) 263-6000.

License applications can be downloaded at www.arci.com .

All licenses are good for three years and renewable on the last day of the birth month of the licensee. Owner's licenses are issued at any California racetrack on a live racing day, including Thoroughbred tracks. The licensing office for Cal Expo is at the California Horse Racing Board, located a block from the track, at 1010 Hurley Way, Suite 300 . Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Applicants should bring proof of ownership, such as registration papers or a bill of sale. They should also bring a photo ID. The fee for a license is $150, which covers the cost of fingerprinting and a photo license and is good for three years. If an applicant has been fingerprinted in another state with which California has reciprocity, the applicant signs an affidavit stating where fingerprints are available and that is acceptable. Stable names are registered at a cost of $300. Cash, credit card, or checks are acceptable forms of payment.

Claiming licenses, which can be obtained at any racetrack, cost $250 and are good for three years. The applicant must visit the licensing office with a photo ID. The owner can make the claim, but they must make the claim in person and get the claiming license in person; all other types of licenses can be done by fax or mail.

At the time of application for claiming license, the applicant is given a form to submit to the track stewards, requesting a license. Fingerprints and a photo are also taken. The applicant takes the claiming license form to the stewards, who will consider and return it to the applicant on the spot if there are no problems. Upon approval, the applicant then shops for a horse and makes a claim. When the claim is made, the clerk of the course signs the application certifying that a claim has been made. The applicant returns to the licensing office and is given a claiming license.

DELAWARE
Contact: John Wayne (302) 698-4600.

Licenses can be obtained at any harness track hosting live racing on any day there is racing. Information and forms are available online at http://www.state.de.us/deptagri/harness/index.shtml and click " Delaware license application," or at arci.com.

The cost for any license (owner, trainer, or driver), or combination thereof, is $50. Anyone holding an interest of at least 5 percent in a horse must obtain an owner's license. Licenses expire quarterly depending on the license holder's last name. Anyone holding a license to participate in harness racing will be fingerprinted at a cost of $34 unless there are fingerprints less than five years old on file with a reciprocating state. Cash and check are accepted for payment.

Any licensed owner, or any person who has been granted a claiming certificate (at no charge), may claim a horse. Claiming certificates are valid on the day of issue and expire at the end of the race meeting for which it was granted. Certificates may be applied for at the track on any day of racing. Upon a successful claim, the participant would need to get a license and pay the fee.

FLORIDA
Contact: Jorge Callejas 954-968-1314.

Licenses run July 1 to June 30 and can be obtained at any horse or dog track or jai alai fronton. However, to gain access to the paddock and backstretch, an ID issued by Pompano Park security is needed after you have obtained an owner's license.

The cost is $40 for an owner's license, although some honorably discharged state resident veterans or remarried spouses of deceased veterans may be exempt from a license fee up to $50. A three-year license, which costs $120, also is available. Stable names need to be licensed at a cost of $50 per year or $150 for three years. At time of application, a government-issued photo ID must be shown.

The fingerprint fee is $47 if the applicant is a first-time Florida applicant. Fingerprints must be re-done and the $47 fee paid every five years. Payment should be by check or money order. Complete the form in the licensing office at the racetrack or by mail with a notarized application and fingerprint card if needed. In most cases, the applicant can complete the process on the spot and leave with a license. Certain types of felony convictions may require a waiver, which could take as long as 90 days to review. The license process will not progress while the review is taking place.

To claim a horse for the first time, follow the process as outlined above for an owner's license. It is not necessary to own a horse first to get a license.

ILLINOIS
Contact: Patricia Rocco (312) 814-2600.

The licensing office at Balmoral Park is open from 2 to 7:30 p.m. each racing day, from 1 to 6:30 p.m. Sundays. The licensing office at Maywood Park is open 2 to 8 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Both offices are adjacent to the race office in the backstretch. Applicants must be at least 16 and should use the licensing office at the track where they expect to race or visit the Racing Board office at 100 West Randolph Street in downtown Chicago .

A first-time license applicant should bring one form of ID, preferably with a photo. Canadian residents must present one form of photo ID. For an Illinois license only, the cost is $25 for the license, $45 for fingerprints (if not already fingerprinted in a state with whom Illinois has reciprocity) and $2 for a photo, payable by check or money order -- no cash. For a stable name license, a form must be completed and submitted but there is no fee and no actual paper license is issued; the information is kept on file.

If there are no areas that need further scrutiny, such as felony convictions, etc., on the application, fingerprints and a photo are taken and a license is issued. All applications are subsequently reviewed and if it is found that any answers were not truthful, there are serious consequences and a license may not be issued. The applicant leaves the office with a photo license good at any track or fair in Illinois . If an owner is out of state, the process can be done by fax or mail.

Those without a license but looking to claim a horse fill out a "claiming authorization license form" at the licensing office, present two forms of ID, one with a photo, pay a $25 fee (check or money order only), and have fingerprints taken, if needed. An Illinois-licensed trainer who will take control of the horse after the claim must sign the application before it is submitted to the stewards for review. The stewards review the application and if it is OK, the claiming authorization license is approved, though no actual paper license is issued, just a receipt. That license is good for the calendar year, regardless of when it's approved. Once a horse has been claimed, the applicant returns to the office, has a photo taken and pays the $2 fee and a paper license/photo ID badge is issued.

You do not need a license if you are racing at a non pari-mutuel fair. The Racing Board does have representatives at each county fair with pari-mutuel racing to process license applications and the process is as stated above or they can be obtained at a pari-mutuel track.

Forms to be completed can be downloaded from the Association of Racing Commissions International Web site ( www.arci.com ) or at www.state.il.us/agency/irb . The form can be printed and brought to any Illinois licensing office.

INDIANA
Contact: Abi Meister, Licensing Supervisor (317) 713-3350

The State of Indiana has two licensing offices for your convenience. You may our call Hoosier Park office at (765) 683-2568 or our Indiana Downs office at (317) 713-3350.

Applications may be obtained from either licensing office. If you are an Owner only you may access the application by going to our website at www.in.gov/ihrc. When applying for any other license category you may call our office to have us fax or mail you an application for your convenience. License fees vary.

All applicants must be printed in the State of Indiana every five (5) years. Using our fingerprint card is suggested because it gives you an option of choosing more States for the FBI print response to be sent to at no extra charge (hopefully cutting down on the number of times you need to be printed); however, any card obtained may be used. If you wish us to mail you a card, simply call one of the numbers above. The charge for fingerprints is $34.

Indiana issues photo ID badges to applicants licensed. This badge indicates the licensee name, the kind of license(s) held, and the date licensed and fingerprinted.

IOWA
Contact: Racing and Gaming Commission (515) 967-1359 or 1260.

Applications can be completed at the Iowa Racing Commission office at any racetrack, horse or dog, but not at the main commission office in Des Moines . Commission officials would prefer that applicants for a harness owner's license apply at Prairie Meadows. The office is open on racing days. It is best to call to confirm times and days. The commission can fax license applications to out-of-state applicants.

A license costs $10 and is good for two calendar (January to December) years. Fingerprints are taken at time of application and cost $40 to process. If proof of fingerprinting in any other jurisdiction in the last four years can be supplied, fingerprinting is not necessary. Applicants must present two forms of ID, one with a photo and one with a social security number and also proof of current USTA membership. A photo is taken, at no fee. Applicants fill out a form, pay in cash or check and get a license that day. It costs $10 for a stable name license, which you must get if a corporation or partnership owns the horse. That license is also good for two years.

Applicants buying a horse for the first time by claim must apply for an open claiming license. They complete the process for an owner's license and pay the fees, but are not issued a license until they claim a horse. When they make a successful claim, the license is processed and mailed. The claiming license is good for the remainder of the meet. If a horse is not claimed at that meet, all fees are forfeited.

The Iowa fairs do not have pari-mutuel wagering and no license is required.

KENTUCKY
Contact: Al Slayback (859) 246-2040.

Kentucky applicants can be licensed at any racetrack of any breed in Kentucky . They can also visit the Racing Authority's main office at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington , 4063 Iron Works Pike, Building B. The licensing offices at racetracks are open on live racing days, roughly four hours prior to post times. It is best to call in advance to confirm hours.

Applicants fill out an application, which can be downloaded from the Association of Racing Commissioners International - www.arci.com or from the authority's Web site at http://krc.ppr.ky.gov/LicensingPdf/KRC_License.pdf . Applicants submit the application, either in person or by mail and pay a fee of $100 in check or money order. Licenses are good for one year. Cash is acceptable if applying in person. Kentucky does not require fingerprints or a photo. Because of this, the process can take place exclusively by mail and the application should be sent to: Kentucky Racing Commission, 4063 Iron Works Pike, Building B, Lexington , KY 40511 . Kentucky does not offer or require a license for stable names.

Individuals must apply for an authorization to claim license. They fill out the application at a licensing office at any racetrack or commission headquarters and must provide bank statements or other proof that they have sufficient funds to claim a horse, plus the $100 fee. The application and copy of bank statement is submitted to stewards for their approval, which generally takes about 15 days. The applicant returns to the licensing office to pick up a slip of paper proving approval to claim a horse. It is good for the rest of the calendar year. When a claim is submitted, the slip of paper is attached to the claim along with a cashier's check to pay for the horse. If the claim is successful, the individual returns to the licensing office to get a standard license. No additional fee is due.

Kentucky does not offer a license exclusively for fairs -- the regular license is required. Applications can be obtained from the judges or Authority licensing officials at the fair prior to post time. The judges will process it and the license will be mailed to the applicant.

MAINE
Contact: Ralph Canney (207) 287-3221.

Licenses can be obtained at any track hosting live racing on any day there is racing. Information and forms soon will be available online at www.state.me.us/agriculture/forms/hrc.

The cost for any license (owner, trainer, or driver) is $25. Any combination of two is $40 and the fee for all three is $60. The fee for a stable is $30. Anyone holding a beneficial interest in a horse should obtain an owner's license. Licenses expire December 31 of the year of issue. Maine neither fingerprints owners nor does it issue photo IDs. Cash or checks are accepted for payment.

A person must have an owner's license to claim a horse.

A license can be obtained at the Maryland Racing Commission's Rosecroft office, 6336 Rosecroft Drive , Fort Washington , MD 20744-1999 . The office is open 8:30 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and from 2-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

The fee for a first-time owner is $50. There is an $18 fee for fingerprinting. (These are two separate payments; the fingerprinting payment should be made out to CJIS.) First-time owners need to bring two forms of identification. A photo owners' ID will be issued, the cost is included in the license fee.

Stable names are licensed at $75 and all owners who are part of a stable must get a license. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted. Licenses are good for the calendar year.

A person must have an owner's license to claim a horse.

MASSACHUSETTS
Contact: Plainridge Licensing office (508) 643-2500, ext. 109.

Licenses can be obtained at any track hosting live racing on any day there is racing. Information and forms are available online at Plainridge Racecourse's Web site, http://www.prcharness.com/ .

The cost for any license (owner, trainer, or driver) is $30. Any combination of two is $60 and the fee for all three is $90. Each owner holding a beneficial interest of 20 percent or more in a horse must obtain an owner's license. If the owners are husband and wife and their total beneficial interest is 20 percent or more in a horse, they must each get a license. Licenses expire December 31 of the year of issue. A photo badge is an additional $5. Cash or checks are accepted for payment.

There is no fingerprinting or waiting period for receiving a license.

Anyone seeking to claim a horse needs to fill out a mini-application naming a trainer who will take custody of the horse should the claim be successful. It is not required to be a licensed owner to claim a horse, but if the claim is successful it will be necessary to get an owner's license at that time. A person must be a USTA member before being licensed.

The fee is $50 for an owner or trainer license and $35 for a driver. The fee for owner-trainer-driver is $25. The fee to register a partnership or stable name is $50. Anyone with a beneficial interest of 5 percent in a horse must get a license. Information and forms can be found at www.mnrace.commission.state.mn.us . Fingerprints are required for anyone ages 18 through 70 every 60 months at a cost of $24.

Application forms and fingerprints should be sent to the Minnesota Racing Commission, P.O. Box 630 , Shakopee , MN 55379 , or the process can be completed at a track. Fingerprints may be taken at a racetrack or local law enforcement agency. Photo IDs are required to enter a restricted (backside) area.

An applicant for an owner's license who is approved by the stewards may be granted claiming authorization. Each application for claiming authorization must be signed by the prospective trainer, who must be licensed by the racing commission. A background investigation, not to exceed 10 days, will be conducted and an owner's license will not be granted until the claiming authorization has been executed. Also eligible to claim is an applicant for an owner's license who has not previously had a horse registered to race at the current meeting, and who purchases by private sale a horse registered to race, provided that 21 calendar days have elapsed between the date of the sale and the date of the claim.

NEW JERSEY
Contact: New Jersey Racing Commission, (609) 292-0613; The Meadowlands, (201) 460-4029; Freehold Raceway, (609) 462-3800.

Applications and information are available online at www. njrconline.org . Click on licensing.

Applicants can visit the licensing office at any New Jersey racetrack when there is live racing or the commission office in Trenton, complete the form and pay a $50 fee, or can get a three-year license for $150. The fee is payable via cash, check or money order. It costs an additional $74 to be fingerprinted (or $40 for state prints if federal prints are already on file).

If no areas need further scrutiny, such as felony convictions, etc., on the application, the license is issued that night. Stable names are licensed at $50. The name selected must be one that is not already in use in the state. Multiple ownership, three or more people on a horse, is $50. If part of a corporation, any person with ownership of at least 5 percent must get a license.

New Jersey has an open claiming policy, so no license is needed to claim. To make a claim, go to the horsemen's bookkeeper's office, fill out a form with name and address, plus the name of the New Jersey-licensed trainer who will pick up the horse after the race. Claimants can change trainers after that night, but the horse must be retrieved from the paddock after the race by New Jersey-licensed trainer. At the time of the claim, the horseman's bookkeeper will advise the claimant of any applicable sales tax and that should be added to the claim payment. If the claim is successful, the claimant must obtain an owner's license as above before the horse is entered to race again.

Forms can be submitted at any open track or to the State Licensing Board's Albany location, which is 1 Watervliet Ave. Extension, Suite 2 , Albany , N.Y. 12206-1668 . Information and forms can be found at http://www.racing.state.ny.us/racing/racing.home.htm.

The fee for a first-time owner's license is $100. Renewals are $50. All licenses expire on the licensee's birthday. If a participant's birthday falls less than six months from the date of application, the license term may be extended to the following birthday by payment of an additional 50 percent fee. Owners must submit two current 1.5-inch by 1.5-inch photos with their name on the back of each. First-time applicants must submit both New York State and FBI fingerprint cards at a total cost of $99.

Claims may be made by a licensed owner or a person who has not been licensed in any state as an owner upon application for a New York license made 72 hours prior to the intended claim. The person will receive a claiming certificate authorizing him to claim one horse during the 30 racing days following issuance of the certificate. The applicant must designate a licensed trainer to be responsible for the horse.

The licensing offices at Ohio tracks are open from 4 to 6:15 p.m. or from about 3:30 to 6 p.m. each racing day. It is best to call to confirm hours. They are located in the backstretch, where a license ordinarily would be needed to enter. Applicants should explain to the guard that they are going to get a license. The guard should let the applicant through on that one occasion.

Visit the licensing office and fill out the form provided, and provide the names of the horses owned; proof that the horse is registered in your name is not necessary. Every person who owns 5 percent or more of a horse must be licensed. When the form is complete, present it to the judges, whose office is adjacent to the licensing office. Generally, the judges will approve or deny on the spot, but if they are in a meeting, applicants may have to wait until they are done.

Cost for a license is $50 and an additional $39 for fingerprints. However, the fingerprint fee is $34 if the applicant opts for a “multi-jurisdictional” application instead of an Ohio only application. This is the same as an Ohio application but the participant will not need to be re-fingerprinted to race in a state that has a reciprocal licensing agreement with Ohio . Cash and checks are accepted. There is an additional form to complete and an additional fee of $25 for a stable name license.

Those who do not own a horse and would like to claim for the first time must apply for an “Eligibility to Claim” license, which is a separate form. Once again, it should be completed and presented to the judges. Photos and fingerprints are taken at that time. A fee of $25 is paid plus an additional $39 for fingerprints and a 15-day waiting period begins at that time. During this time, a background check is run to ensure the individual has sufficient means to pay for and care for a claimed horse.

At the conclusion of the 15-day waiting period and approval of the applicant, a license is issued. That license is good until the licensee either claims a horse or until the end of the year. When a horse is claimed, the individual must re-visit the licensing office and fill out a form for an owner's license, present to judges for approval and pay an additional $50 for an owner's license (rather than the “Eligibility to Claim” license previously issued).

To race only at the fairs in Ohio , there is a less expensive fair license that does not require fingerprinting or a photo. There is a Racing Commission representative at each pari-mutuel fair. Applicants can visit them before the races on the day your horse races, complete the form, and pay a $10 fee by cash or check. That license enables racing at all fairs, including the Delaware County Fair (Little Brown Jug). A fair license cannot be used at a commercial track. Anyone with a regular owner's license does not need an additional license to race at the fairs. A few of the Ohio fairs do not have wagering and no license is required to participate.

Ohio has a Web site ( www.state.oh.us/r a c/ ) where the owner license form and fingerprint card can be downloaded. The fingerprint card can be completed at a local police station. The application, fingerprint card and fees can be mailed to Ohio State Racing Commission, 77 South High St. , 18 th Floor, Columbus , OH 43215-6108 , attention Billie Grant. The license will be mailed to the applicant with instructions for getting a photo ID badge to be used for admission to the backstretch and paddock areas.

Applicants can also visit the Racing Commission office in Columbus to apply for a license, or attend the U.S. Trotting Association District One/Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association meeting in January of each year, as a licensing representative attends that meeting.

Licenses can be obtained at any track hosting live racing on any day there is racing. Information and forms are available online at www.agriculture.state.pa.us and follow links. The phone number for Harrah's Chester is (610) 619-3210, The Meadows is (724) 223-4585 and Pocono Downs is (570) 826-2404.

Pennsylvania issues a three-year license. The cost for an owner's license is $60 and includes a photo ID. The cost for owner-trainer, owner-driver, and owner-trainer-driver licenses are $60. Licenses expire on the 30 th day of the month of the applicant's birth. Fingerprints are required at an additional cost of $25. The fee for fingerprints will be waived if owner is licensed already in California , Delaware , Florida , Illinois , Indiana , Michigan , New Jersey , New York , Ohio , and all Canadian provinces.

Anyone seeking to claim a horse must be a USTA member and must have a certified check or money order for the amount of the claim. After a successful claim, the person must get an owner's license.

Licenses can be obtained at Colonial Downs in New Kent. The Racing Commission office, located on the backstretch, is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every day during live racing. Information and forms also are available online at www.vrc.virginia.gov .

The cost for any license (owner, trainer, or driver) is $10. The fee to register a stable name is $25. There is a $37 fee for fingerprinting, which needs to be done every five years. Fingerprinting can be done at the track or at a local police department. A photo ID will be issued at the track. Each owner holding a beneficial interest of 5 percent or more in a horse must obtain an owner's license. A husband and wife who enter their horse or horses as a single entry shall not be considered a partnership and shall make separate applications for permits as owners. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted for payment.

A person interested in buying a horse without a license can designate an authorized agent to act on their behalf. An application, which specifies the duties the agent can perform, must be completed, notarized and approved. It is valid for one calendar year. In most cases, a trainer is the authorized agent.

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For more information, contact the U.S. Trotting Association at:
750 Michigan Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 224-2291