COVID-19 Testing

On this page:
Why to test
Where to test
When to test
Which test to take

Why to test

• Avoid spreading COVID-19 to the people around you.
• Figure out if you need to get COVID-19 Medications.
• Decide if you should postpone a visit to someone at high risk of becoming very sick.
• Make a plan to work virtually instead of in-person.

Find out more, CDC: Testing and Respiratory Viruses.

Where to test

• Test anywhere, on your own, with a self-test:
  • Buy self-tests at your local pharmacy or other retailers.
  • If you have health insurance, ask your pharmacy or health insurance company if they provide tests at no charge to you.
  • Carefully follow instructions for self-tests and avoid using expired tests. Visit U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA): At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests.
• If you don't have health insurance, Search for No-Cost COVID-19 Testing using the CDC's testing locator tool.

When to test

• If you have symptoms, test immediately.
  CDC: Symptoms of COVID-19
• For self-tests, follow FDA’s guidance on repeating the test to make sure you don’t miss detecting the infection.
  FDA: At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: FAQs: I got a negative test result on an at-home COVID-19 antigen test. Do I need to take another test?
• If you have plans to be around someone who is at high risk of getting very sick from COVID-19, you may want to take a test before you spend time with them.
  CDC: People with Certain Medical Conditions and COVID-19 Risk Factors
• When you have been around someone who may be sick with COVID-19, test five full days after you were near them.

Find out more, FDA: At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions.

Which test to take

Two types of tests can detect if you currently have a COVID-19 infection: molecular (such as PCR tests) and antigen tests. Find out which test is right for your situation, visit:

• FDA: Covid-19 Test Basics
• CDC: Testing for COVID-19