Cal. Code Regs. tit. 3, § 901.3 – Licenses.

(a) Applicants for a Processing Inspector license shall complete the Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch Form 79-010A (Rev. 08/11), Processing Inspector License Application. Applicants for a Livestock Meat Inspector license shall complete the Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch Form 79-008A (Rev. 08/11), Livestock Meat Inspector License Application. The forms may be obtained by contacting the Department. Applicants for licensure or renewal shall submit the fees required by section 18980 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(b) License applicants, upon payment of the application fee, shall be furnished by the Department with a copy of extracts from the Food and Agricultural Code and the California Code of Regulations pertaining to meat and poultry inspection, the Department's Processing Inspector Handbook (5/03 Edition) or Livestock Slaughter Inspection Handbook (6/05 Edition), and other information that the applicant should know to pass the examination and properly conduct inspection activities. Duplicate materials shall be furnished at cost.
(c) Each licensee shall maintain a current copy of the applicable state and federal statutes and regulations and Department handbook at each establishment where the Licensed Livestock Meat Inspector or Licensed Processing Inspector is performing inspection services.
(d) Identification of Licensed Livestock Meat Inspectors or Processing Inspectors. The current license renewal certificate or a copy thereof for each Licensed Livestock Meat Inspector or Processing Inspector shall be posted in a readily visible location at each official establishment where they are employed.
(e) No person licensed as a Livestock Meat Inspector or Processing Inspector shall purport to exercise license authority while not on official duty at an establishment subject to inspection.
(f) Applicants for a license to operate a custom livestock slaughter establishment or a meat processing plant must complete MPES Form 79-002A (Rev. 09/11), Custom Livestock Slaughter or Meat Processing Plant License Application, provided by the Department. Applicants for license issuance or renewal shall submit the fees required by sections 19010 and 19011 of the Food and Agricultural Code.
(g) Mobile Slaughter Operators who want to operate a Mobile Slaughter Operation must complete MPES Form 79-021B (Rev. 06/22) “Application for Mobile Slaughter Operation License”, hereby incorporated by reference 79-021B (Rev. 06/22). The MPES Form “Application for Mobile Slaughter Operation License” shall contain all of the information specified below. Applicants for license issuance or renewal shall submit an accompanying fee of five hundred dollars ($500).
1. (1) MPES Form Mobile Slaughter Operation License Application:
  1. (A) Business Name.
  2. (B) Phone Number.
  3. (C) Mailing Address: Street, City, State, Zip.
  4. (D) Street Address (if different from Mailing Address), including County.
  5. (E) Name(s) of Owner(s).
  6. (F) Contact Person Name.
  7. (G) Electronic Mail Address.
  8. (H) Contact Phone Number.
  9. (I) Names of Livestock Meat Inspector(s), if different than applicant.
  10. (J) County of Operation.
  11. (K) Vehicle Make.
  12. (L) Vehicle Model.
  13. (M) Vehicle Year.
  14. (N) Vehicle License Plate Number.
  15. (O) Name(s) of Registered Custom Exempt Plants to Be Utilized.
  16. (P) Printed Name of Applicant.
  17. (Q) Signature of Applicant and Date.
(h) Mobile Slaughter Operations must adhere to the following requirements in order to maintain a license:
1. (1) The license number shall be displayed on both sides of the Mobile Slaughter Operator's vehicle used during transportation of carcass(es) and shall be in contrasting colors at least three (3) inches high.
2. (2) The mobile slaughter operator shall renew the Mobile Slaughter Operation license annually.
3. (3) A violation of any portion of this Chapter constitutes grounds for suspension or revocation of a Mobile Slaughter Operator's Mobile Slaughter Operation License. Licenses are non-transferable.
4. (4) In the event of a quarantine declared by the State Veterinarian, the license of the Mobile Slaughter Operator who operates a Mobile Slaughter Operation may be temporarily suspended or modified, consistent with public health and safety, or to prevent a significant risk to the livestock industry or any portion thereof within the State of California.
(i) If the license for a livestock slaughter establishment, Mobile Slaughter Operation, or meat processing establishment is issued to other than a natural person, the license shall also state the name of a natural person or persons responsible for operations under the license. Any change in ownership, authorized agent or location of a livestock slaughter establishment, Mobile Slaughter Operation, or meat processing establishment requires a new application fee and license. Any such change in ownership, authorized agent or location of a custom livestock slaughterhouse, Mobile Slaughter Operation, or meat processing establishment shall subject the establishment's facilities, equipment, and procedures to reassessment by the Department to determine the establishment's adequacy to produce wholesome product before issuance of a new license. Such reassessment shall be equivalent to that required by the Department for a newly proposed establishment.

Note: Authority cited: Sections 407, 9562, 18693, 18735, 18960, 18961, 18962, 19010, 19011 and 19014, Food and Agricultural Code. Reference: Sections 9562, 18980, 18981, 18990, 19000, 19021, 19022 and 19030, Food and Agricultural Code.

History

1. Renumbering of former section 931 to new section 901.3, including amendment of section and Note, filed 5-31-2007; operative 6-30-2007 (Register 2007, No. 22).

2. Change without regulatory effect amending subsections (a) and (f) filed 4-2-2012 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2012, No. 14).

3. Amendment of section and Note filed 9-25-2025; operative 1-1-2026 (Register 2025, No. 39).