The National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) licenses individuals to blood test poultry for Pullorum-Typhoid (P-T) disease, caused by Salmonella Pullorum and Salmonella Gallinarum. The NPIP offers two types of in-person blood tester schools, typically held each spring.
Commercial Blood Tester School
This training is only for employees of commercial poultry companies. Participants are trained to test commercial flocks as part of the NPIP certification process.
2026 Dates
| Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| May 11 | University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Auditorium, 2536 North McConnell Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704 | Registration will begin at 12:45 p.m. with the class convening at 1:00 p.m. The class should end late-afternoon. |
| May 14 | University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Auditorium, 2301 South University., Little Rock, AR 72204 | Registration will begin at 12:45 p.m. with the class convening at 1:00 p.m. |
| May 18 | University of Arkansas Livestock & Forestry Research Station, 70 Experiment Station Drive., Batesville, AR 72501 | Registration will begin at 12:45 p.m. with the class convening at 1:00 p.m. |
Fees
| Attendance | Years Licensed | Cost ($45 per year) |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | 1 | $45.00 |
| Second Year | 2 | $90.00 |
| Third Year | 5 | $225.00 |
Every year thereafter, payment and agreement by mail will be acceptable.
Private Poultry Testing School
This training is for individuals who plan to test birds at county fairs, shows, exhibitions, flea markets, swap meets, and private sales. Private testers are licensed to test their own birds and those owned by others. They are authorized to issue 90-day certificates for tested birds.
2026 Dates
| Date | Location | Details |
|---|---|---|
| May 12 | University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Auditorium, 2536 North McConnell Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72704 | Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the class convening at 9:10 a.m. |
| May 15 | University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Auditorium, 2301 South University., Little Rock, AR 72204 | Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the class convening at 9:10 a.m. |
| May 19 | University of Arkansas Livestock & Forestry Research Station, 70 Experiment Station Drive., Batesville, AR 72501 | Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m. with the class convening at 9:10 a.m. |
A testers license will be issued upon passing the exam. Cash will not be accepted as a form of payment for the private tester’s license. Check, money order, or online payment is the preferred method of payment for the license.
Fees
| Attendance | Years Licensed | Cost ($22 per year) |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | 1 | $22.00 |
| Second Year | 2 | $44.00 |
| Third Year | 5 | $110.00 |
Every year thereafter, payment and agreement by mail will be acceptable.
Private Tester Supply List
Minimum supplies needed:
- Pullorum-Typhoid antigen
- Permanent type of band
- Pliers to attach bands
- Test plate or surface
- Needle or pricking instrument to draw blood
- Loop for carrying blood to test surface
- 90-day certificates: Can be obtained by contacting the NPIP office.
Supplies are available from the following companies. These companies are the only suppliers we are aware of at the present time.
Charles River Lab
Address: 106 Route 32, North Franklin, CT 06254
Phone: 800-772-3271
Cutler’s Supply
Address: 3805 Washington Road, Carsonville, MI 48419
Phone: 810-633-9450
Ketchum MFG
Address: P.O. Box 10, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846
Phone: 800-222-0460
Note: No antigen
National Band Company
Address: P.O. Box 72430, Newport, KY 41072
Phone: 859-261-2035
Notes: No antigen; states that require bands with “U.S. Ark APPR Pull Test” along with the number may obtained through the National Band Company
Smith Poultry & Game Bird Supply
Address: 14000 West 215 Street, Bucyrus, KS 66013
Phone: 913-879-2587
Stromberg’s
Phone: 800-720-1134
Note: Multiple locations
Twin City Poultry Supplies, LLC
Address: P.O. Box 215, Baltimore, Ohio 43105
Phone: 614-595-8608
Wood Gamecock Supply
Address: P.O. Box 159, Cove, AR 71937
Phone: 870-387-7611
Note: Orders may take several weeks to receive