Objective Summarize the situation of laboratory animal licenses in China from 2018 to 2022, analyze the current situation and development trend of laboratory animal license management in China, and provide a basis for managing laboratory animals in China. Methods Laboratory animal license data were collated and preprocessed in accordance with the overall situation of the license, the four major regions licensed, the provinces (cities) licensed, the types of licensed animals, and different dimensions of the licensed environmental facilities. Data were analyzed and summarized through a combination of data statistics, graphical comparisons, related literature review, and comparative studies. Results The overall trend of the number of laboratory animal licenses in China is increasing, fully reflecting the gradual realization of legalization and scientific supervision in the administrative license management of laboratory animals in China and the continuous improvement of the administrative license management efficiency and services. Conclusions This article describes and analyzes the developmental trend and existing problems of laboratory animal licenses in China and provides countermeasures and suggestions. It is recommended to improve the regulations and systems for laboratory animals, strengthen the supervision of administrative licenses for laboratory animals, and enhance the standardization of incremental resources for laboratory animals, which play an important role in promoting the development of China’s laboratory animal industry.