Rapid and specific detection of foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a key factor for promoting prompt control of FMD outbreaks. In this study, a real‐time reverse transcription loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (RRT‐LAMP) assay with high sensitivity, rapidity and reliability was developed using a targeted gene‐specific assimilating probe for real‐time detection of seven FMDV serotypes. Positive assay signals were generated within 15 min for the lowest concentration of a standard RNA sample at 62°C; this was substantially faster than that achieved by the OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health)‐recommended real‐time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) assay. The new assay specifically amplified the 3D gene of all seven FMDV serotypes and did not amplify other viral nucleic acids. The detection limit of the assay was 102 copies/µl which is comparable to that achieved by qRT‐PCR. Furthermore, using clinical samples, the results of the RRT‐LAMP assay were largely in agreement with those from the qRT‐PCR assay with a kappa value (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 0.94 (0.86–1.02). The established RRT‐LAMP assay that features assimilating probes is an advanced molecular diagnostic tool that is easily applicable to a wide range of circumstances and has high potential for use as an on‐site diagnostic assay for rapid, specific, and reliable detection of FMDVs in clinical samples.