PRELICENSE INSPECTION

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (e), the department must inspect a facility before a license is issued for the facility. (b) The department may not issue a license to a dog or cat breeder until the department receives a prelicense inspection report from the inspector in a format approved by the department certifying that the facility meets the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter. (c) Before the prelicense inspection may be conducted, each applicant must pay to the department the required inspection fee to be used to pay third-party inspectors and the reasonable expenses of the department related to its licensing and inspection duties under this chapter. (d) An applicant whose facility does not meet the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter as revealed by a prelicense inspection may, after correcting deficiencies noted in the inspection report, request another prelicense inspection by paying the required fee to the department. (e) The department may not require a prelicense inspection of a facility for an applicant who: (1) holds a current Class A animal dealers license issued under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Section 2131 et seq.); and (2) submits to the department: (A) a copy of the license; and (B) on a form prescribed by the department, a statement certifying that the facility meets the requirements of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter.