Where to get tested and what to bring
You can get tested for sexually transmitted diseases at your primary care doctor's office, a sexual health clinic, an urgent care center, or a Planned Parenthood location. Many county health departments also offer testing, often at lower cost than private clinics. Call ahead to ask whether they test for the specific infections you're concerned about — not all locations test for all STDs.
Bring your insurance card if you have one, a photo ID, and a list of any medications you take. If you don't have insurance, ask about sliding scale fees based on income. Many public health clinics test regardless of ability to pay. You do not need a referral from another doctor to walk in and request testing.
If you prefer not to visit a clinic in person, some states allow you to order a home test kit online through companies like LetsGetChecked or Everlywell. These kits let you collect a sample at home and mail it to a lab. Results come back in a few days to a week. Home tests are more expensive than clinic visits but offer privacy if that matters to you.
Key Takeaways
- Testing locations include your doctor, sexual health clinics, urgent care, Planned Parenthood, and county health departments, and most do not require an appointment or referral.
- The type of test depends on which STD you're checking for — blood tests, urine tests, and swabs are all common, and the process takes 10 to 30 minutes.
- Results typically arrive within a few days to two weeks, and your provider will contact you with next steps if any test is positive.
- If you test positive, your provider will discuss treatment options and may recommend that your sexual partners get tested as well.
- Home test kits exist but cost more than clinic visits and require you to interpret results or contact a provider separately for follow-up.
What happens during the test
The actual testing process is quick and straightforward. For chlamydia and gonorrhea, you'll either provide a urine sample or the provider will use a swab inside the urethra (for men) or cervix (for women). For herpes, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B, you'll have blood drawn from your arm. For genital herpes or HPV, the provider may swab the affected area if visible sores or lesions are present.
The whole visit usually takes 10 to 30 minutes from check-in to leaving. You don't need to fast or prepare in any special way, though some providers ask you not to urinate for an hour before a urine test to make sure the sample is concentrated enough. Ask the provider which STDs they're testing for so you know what to expect.
How long results take and what they mean
Results for chlamydia and gonorrhea usually come back within three to five business days. Blood tests for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B, and herpes take longer — typically five to fourteen days depending on the lab. Your provider will call you or send results through a patient portal if you have one set up.
A negative result means the test did not detect the infection. However, some STDs have a window period — the time between infection and when a test can detect it. For HIV, this can be up to 18 days with standard tests, though newer fourth-generation tests shorten this to about 18 days. For hepatitis B, the window is one to two months. If you think you were exposed recently, ask your provider whether you should test again in a few weeks.
A positive result means the infection was detected. Your provider will discuss treatment options with you at that time. Some STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea are curable with antibiotics. Others like herpes and HIV are manageable with medication but not curable. Your provider will explain what treatment looks like and answer questions about transmission and prevention.
What happens if you test positive
If your test is positive, your provider will schedule a follow-up visit or phone call to discuss treatment. For bacterial infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea, you'll receive antibiotics — usually a single dose or a short course. You should not have sex until treatment is complete and your provider says it's safe.
Your provider will also ask you to notify any sexual partners from the past few months so they can get tested too. Some clinics offer to contact partners on your behalf if you provide their names, which keeps your identity private. This step matters because untreated infections can cause serious health problems and spread further.
For viral infections like HIV or herpes, your provider will refer you to a specialist or infectious disease doctor who can discuss long-term management. Treatment exists for both — antiretroviral therapy for HIV and antiviral medication for herpes — but the conversation is more complex and your provider will want to make sure you have support and accurate information.
Cost and insurance coverage
If you have health insurance, most plans cover STD testing at no cost to you when you visit an in-network provider. Check your plan documents or call your insurance company to confirm. If you don't have insurance, costs vary widely: clinic visits range from $50 to $300 depending on which tests you get and where you go. County health departments and Planned Parenthood often charge less or use sliding scale fees.
Home test kits typically cost $100 to $300 and are not usually covered by insurance. Some employers offer STD testing through workplace health programs at no cost to employees.
Privacy and confidentiality
Your test results are protected by health privacy laws. Your provider cannot share results with anyone — including family members, employers, or partners — without your written permission. If you're a minor, laws vary by state about whether parents can access your results; ask your provider about your state's rules when you arrive.
If you're worried about privacy, you can ask to use a different name when registering at some clinics, though you'll need to provide your real name for insurance billing if you use insurance. Public health clinics and Planned Parenthood are accustomed to privacy concerns and can discuss your options.
When to get tested
You should get tested if you have had unprotected sex, a condom broke during sex, you have symptoms like discharge or pain during urination, or a partner told you they tested positive. You should also get tested if you're starting a new sexual relationship and want to know your status before becoming intimate.
If you're sexually active with multiple partners or have a partner who is, many providers recommend testing once a year as a routine part of health care. People with HIV should get tested for other STDs at least once a year as well, and more often if they have multiple partners.
If you think you were exposed to an STD within the past 72 hours, some infections can be prevented with post-exposure medication. Call your provider or go to an urgent care center right away to discuss whether this option is available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a doctor's referral to get tested?
No. You can walk into a sexual health clinic, urgent care center, Planned Parenthood, or county health department and request testing without a referral. If you want to use your primary care doctor, you can call and ask for an appointment, but you do not need a referral from another provider.
Will my parents learn about I get tested as a minor?
It depends on your state. Some states allow minors to get tested confidentially without parental consent, while others require parental notification. Call your local health department or Planned Parenthood and ask about your state's rules before you go in. Many clinics can answer this question over the phone.
What if I test positive — will my employer find out?
No. Your test results are confidential and protected by health privacy law. Your employer cannot access your medical records without your permission. You do not have to tell your employer you were tested or what the results were.
Can I get tested if I don't have symptoms?
Yes. Many people with STDs have no symptoms at all, which is why testing is important even if you feel fine. Chlamydia and gonorrhea often cause no symptoms in women, and some people with herpes or HPV never develop visible signs. Testing is the only way to know for sure.
How often should I get tested?
If you're sexually active, the CDC recommends at least one test per year for chlamydia and gonorrhea. If you have multiple partners or your partner does, more frequent testing — every three to six months — is reasonable. Talk to your provider about what schedule makes sense for your situation.