CENSA was created as part of the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNIC) in January 1969, due to the need to undertake scientific research that would provide answers to the country's livestock problems, initially directed at the fields of animal health, genetics and reproduction, both in the development of research and highly specialised services, particularly in the diagnosis of exotic diseases and in postgraduate training.

It is an institution that has the state responsibility to carry out research for the prevention, diagnosis and control of exotic and quarantine diseases in animal species and crops of economic interest.