Protect Your Health
COVID-19 Testing
There are many ways to access COVID-19 testing in Virginia. At-home rapid antigen tests are available through VDH and Medicare, and for purchase from retail pharmacies. Learn more about whether to get tested, where to get tested, and what to do after testing below.
Questions about whether you should get tested?
- If you were or may have been exposed to COVID-19, refer to VDH’s guidance on what to do if you were potentially exposed to COVID-19
- If you are or may be sick with COVID-19, refer to VDH’s guidance on What to Do if You are Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19.
- If you have questions about whether your symptoms are consistent with COVID-19, visit CDC’s symptoms webpage. You can also refer questions to your health care provider.
- For questions about testing visit CDC’s testing webpage.
Find Your Test
Testing Site Locator
Visit the VDH Testing Site Locator webpage to find a testing location nearest you.
Free COVID-19 Tests
Beginning November 20, 2023, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home. For more information and to place an order, please visit covid.gov/tests.
Before You Throw Out "Expired" Tests: Check FDA's website to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended.
VDH Supporting Testing Access through Community Collaboration
The VDH Supporting Testing Access Through Community Collaboration program (VDH-STACC) provides free at-home rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits at participating libraries in the Commonwealth.
Community members can pick up FREE at-home test kits from participating libraries, a library card is not required. To find a participating library near you, please visit the VDH STACC webpage.
K-12 and Child Care Testing
VDH provides K-12 schools and child care facilities across the Commonwealth with free at-home diagnostic test kits to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
To request test kits, schools should email testinginfo@vdh.virginia.gov and child care facilities should contact their local health district.
Visit the VDH K12 and Child Care webpage for more information.
CDC Increasing Community Access to Testing
The ICATT program will continue to provide no-cost COVID-19 testing for uninsured people that are symptomatic or exposed to COVID-19.
Visit the CDC's testinglocator.cdc.gov webpage to find a location convenient for you, then visit the provider’s website to make an appointment.
CDC At-Home COVID-19 Testing Guidance
Information from the CDC on how and when to do a COVID-19 rapid test.
More Information on COVID-19 Testing
Questions about types of COVID-19 tests and what to do after your test?
Visit CDC’s COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know webpage for more information on types of tests and VDH If You Are Sick Page for what to do after your test.
Please review these other resources for testing and after testing:
- COVID-19 Antigen Tests – What do my results mean? (PDF, 130 KB)
- When is it safe to be around others?
If you test positive for COVID-19 and are at higher risk of getting very sick, contact your healthcare provider right away to see if you are eligible for treatment. Early treatment can prevent you from getting sicker. Read more about COVID-19 treatments on the VDH COVID-19 Treatment Webpage.
Covid-19 Related Questions
VDH’s Call Center:
1-877-ASK-VDH3 (1-877-275-8343)
Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Healthcare Providers
For testing information for healthcare providers, please visit VDH’s COVID-19 Testing and Laboratory for Healthcare Providers.
Does my workplace need a CLIA certificate to test employees for COVID-19?
Yes. In an effort to provide support to workplaces who may be doing COVID-19 testing, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has prepared materials to outline the simple steps necessary to do this. Generally, a CLIA certificate of waiver is necessary for a workplace to do testing. For information regarding CLIA requirements and the application process for workplace COVID-19 testing, please see the Quick Start Guide for COVID-19 Testing in the Workplace (PDF) (5 pp, 3.4MB) and the Workplace COVID-19 Testing Fact Sheet (PDF) (2 pp, 152KB).
Please note: CMS is temporarily exercising enforcement discretion and allowing employers to start waived SARS-CoV-2 Point of Care testing after a facility has submitted a CMS-116 application.
Page last reviewed November 9, 2023
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