Submit tuberculosis (TB) test results using Sam
Use Sam to submit TB test results online if you are an Official Veterinarian (OV) or Approved TB Tester (ATT).
This service allows you to:
- view up to date TB testing instructions and work lists online
- produce working forms pre-populated with ear-tag numbers to record results on farms
- view test dates and results to help identify animals not eligible for testing
- create private tests for your clients
- use third-party software when Sam is unavailable
Planned downtime
Sam will be unavailable from:
2025 dates
- Sunday 12 January 8am to Monday 13 January 7am
- Tuesday 14 January 7pm to Wednesday 15 January 7am
- Tuesday 11 February 7pm to Wednesday 12 February 7am
- Tuesday 11 March 7pm to Wednesday 12 March 7am
- Tuesday 8 April 7pm to Wednesday 9 April 7am
- Tuesday 13 May 7pm to Wednesday 14 May 7am
- Tuesday 10 June 7pm to Wednesday 11 June 7am
- Tuesday 8 July 7pm to Wednesday 9 July 7am
- Tuesday 12 August 7pm to Wednesday 13 August 7am
- Tuesday 9 September 7pm to Wednesday 10 September 7am
- Tuesday 14 October 7pm to Wednesday 15 October 7am
- Tuesday 11 November 7pm to Wednesday 12 November 7am
- Tuesday 9 December 7pm to Wednesday 10 December 7am
How to record data during Sam downtime
To record data while Sam is unavailable you can use:
- the electronic (excel) TB52 form
- a paper copy of the TB52 form
- an excel or XML file for use in third-party software
Sections 10 and 12 of contain guidance on how to find and use the TB52 form.
You must upload or manually enter your data into Sam when it’s available again.
Support with using Sam
For help with using Sam:
You can also contact the Sam helpdesk for support:
- by phone on 03300 416999
- by email at APHAServiceDesk@apha.gov.uk
If you have entered data into Sam incorrectly
To fix incorrect data in Sam, download and complete form GENO2 then email it to:
- csc.TBsamdatafix@apha.gov.uk for County Parish Holdings (CPHs) in England
- Apha.cymruwales@apha.gov.uk for CPHs in Wales
- Apha.scotland@apha.gov.uk for CPHs in Scotland
How to register and enrol in Sam
Complete your theory training and exam
To register for Sam you must have completed the theory training for a relevant Official Controls Qualification (OCQ). This should be either:
- the OCQ(OV) - TT (tuberculin tester)
- the OCQ(AHP) - ATT
Learn more about the OCQs at Improve International.
Check you’re registered for Government Gateway
To access Sam you must register for Government Gateway, if you have not done so already.
Complete the OV59 form
To register for Sam access, a principal or partner from your veterinary practice must complete the OV59 Application for Sam access form and send it to APHA’s OV team.
Once the OV team have received your form and you’ve completed all other requirements for conditional authorisation, APHA will send a known facts letter (form AH06) containing your Sam sign in information to your practice address.
Check your practice is enrolled in Sam
Before you can use Sam your practice must enrol on Sam as an organisation using the AHVLA-ORC service.
Practices can then link with enrolled individuals through the ‘Manage my agents’ screen.
Enrol in the AHVLA-AGT (agent) Sam service
All OVs, ATTs and practice admin staff must enrol on Sam as an agent using the AHVLA-AGT service.
When you have accessed the agent service, follow these steps to enrol.
- Enter the enrolment information from your known facts letter. The role and application ID must be entered in capital letters.
- Enter the first part of your Government Gateway agent ID. The second part of your agent ID will be generated for you.
Link your individual account to a practice account
To view your agent ID and link to a practice you must sign in to Sam and then choose to ‘log on and manage my account’. Contact the APHA service desk if you cannot find your agent ID or have forgotten your sign in details.
ATTs must remove the second ‘E’ from the word ‘Tester’ when entering the enrolment information. It should read, ‘APPROVED TUBERCULIN TESTR’.
Updates to this page
Published 5 August 2024Last updated 9 January 2025 + show all updates
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Added planned downtime – Sam will be unavailable between 8am on Sunday 12 January to 7am on Monday 13 January.
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Updated the list of planned downtime. Updated the enrol for GG link.
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Added planned downtime – Sam will be unavailable between 7pm and 9pm on Tuesday 19 November.
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Added planned downtime – Sam will be unavailable between 1:30pm and 11:20pm on Sunday 6 October.
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Added planned downtime – Sam will be unavailable between 1:30pm and 11:20pm on Sunday 1 September.
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Added planned downtime - Sam will be unavailable between 7pm on Tuesday 20 August and 8am on Wednesday 21 August.
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Added planned downtime - Sam will be unavailable from 10 August (9am to 6pm)
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First published.