ESA don't require anything which is why the idea is easy to abuse, but ESA and PSA (psychiatric control animals) are real things, and under 14 C.F.R. § 382.117(e) airlines can require evidence of an animal being a service animal or an ESA/PSA, such as up-to-date documentation from a mental health professional of the ESA's necessity to the owner.

I expect not waving this is what the rules change actually is, because I don't think the DoT can just decide the ACAA is not a thing.

For a service animal, the airline can only require

> identification cards, other written documentation, presence of harnesses, tags, or the credible verbal assurances of a qualified individual with a disability using the animal.

Although it should be noted that only 23 states prohibit misrepresentation of a service animal, the main difference being that service animals are rather obviously limited as they can only be dogs or miniature horses (an other thing which makes me doubt the complete veracity of the article).

The word "prescribe" can be used outside of a medical professional authorizing the use of something. A medical professional can prescribe a treatment of aspirin, for example. That doesn't mean aspirin requires a prescription.