HIV Testing Locations

Content From: HIV.govUpdated: November 6, 20232 min read

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Where Can You Get Tested for HIV?

You can find an HIV test site near you by using HIV.gov’s HIV services locator:

You can also find a testing site near you by:

 

What Kinds of Places Offer HIV Testing?

You can get an HIV test at many places:

  • Your health care provider’s office.
  • Health clinics or community health centers.
  • STD or sexual health clinics.
  • Your local health department.
  • Family planning clinics.
  • VA medical centers.
  • Substance abuse prevention or treatment programs.
  • Pharmacies.
  • Some community-based organizations.
  • Mobile testing vans and community events.

These places can connect you to HIV care and treatment if you test positive or can discuss the best HIV prevention options for you if you test negative.

Read about what to expect when you get an HIV test.

How Much Will It Cost?

As required by the Affordable Care Act, HIV screening is covered by health insurance without a co-pay. This includes most Medicaid programs. If you don’t have health insurance, some testing sites may offer free tests or offer tests on a sliding fee scale based on income.

Free HIV tests are available. Use CDC’s Get Tested to search for free testing resources.

Is HIV Self-Testing an Option?

Yes. HIV self-testing allows people to take an HIV test and find out their result in their own home or other private location. There are two kinds:

  • A Rapid Self-Test is done entirely at home or in a private location and can produce results within 20 minutes. You can buy a rapid self-test kitExit Disclaimer at a pharmacy or online. The only FDA-approved HIV self-test currently available in the US is an oral fluid test.
  • A Mail-In Self-Test includes a specimen collection kit that contains supplies to collect dried blood from a fingerstick at home. The sample is then sent to a lab for testing and the results are provided by a health care provider. Mail-in self-tests can be ordered through various online merchant sites. Your health care provider can also order a mail-in self-test for you.

Check to see if the health department or other organization near you is providing a rapid self-test for a reduced cost or for free. Directly purchased self-tests may not be covered by private health insurance or Medicaid. Be sure to check with your insurance provider and your health care provider about reimbursement for tests that are self-purchased.

Note: State laws regarding self-testing vary and may limit availability. Check with your health care provider for additional testing options.

Learn more about HIV self-testing and which one might be right for you.