Certain applications require that identifications be read while a tagged animal moves through a passageway or while in a stationary location, such as a hydroelectric diversion system, hog parlour or feeding stall.

Stationary scanners operate on the same principles as do portable scanners, but are different in that the antenna coil is separate from the scanner electronics and is usually larger than portable scanner antenna coils for the purpose of covering a larger reading zone. Stationary scanners are usually coupled to other equipment, or fibre optic lines to transmit data directly to a remote data collection site.