Protect Your Health
COVID-19 Testing
There are many ways to access COVID-19 testing in Virginia. 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 are or may be sick with COVID-19, refer to VDH’s guidance on What to Do if You're Sick.
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and are at higher risk for severe illness, get tested right away to see if treatment is an option for you. Read more about COVID-19 treatments on the VDH COVID-19 Treatment Webpage.
- If you have questions about whether your symptoms are consistent with COVID-19, visit CDC’s symptoms webpage.
- For questions about testing visit CDC’s testing webpage.
Starting in September 2024 U.S. households will be eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 Tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year. Learn more about the program and COVID-19 tests.
Find Your Test
Testing Site Locator
Visit the VDH Testing Site Locator webpage to find a testing location nearest you.
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 Childcare Testing
VDH provides K-12 schools and childcare 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 childcare facilities should contact their local health district.
Visit the VDH K12 and Childcare 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 ICATT webpage to find a location convenient for you, then visit the provider’s website to make an appointment.
More Information on COVID-19 Testing
Questions about types of COVID-19 tests and what to do after your test?
- CDC’s COVID-19 Testing: What You Need to Know
- VDH COVID-19 Treatment Webpage – If you test positive for COVID-19 and are at higher risk of getting very sick, contact your healthcare provider to see if you are eligible for treatment right away. Early treatment can prevent you from getting sicker.
- COVID-19 Test Expiration Dates – Before you throw out “expired” COVID-19 tests, visit the FDA’s webpage to see if your tests’ expiration dates have been extended.
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 and the Workplace COVID-19 Testing Fact Sheet
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.
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