When to Get Tested for COVID-19

Key times to get tested:

If you have symptoms, test immediately.

• If you are only going to take a single test, a PCR test will provide a more reliable negative test result.
• If you use an antigen test, a positive result is reliable, but a negative test is not always accurate.
• If your antigen test is negative, take another antigen test after 48 hours or take a PCR test as soon as you can.

If you do not have symptoms but have been exposed to COVID-19, wait at least 5 full days after your exposure before taking a test.

• If you are only going to take a single test, a PCR test will provide a more reliable negative test result.
• If you use an antigen test, a positive result is reliable, but a negative test is not always accurate.
• If your antigen test is negative, take another antigen test after 48 hours or take a PCR test as soon as you can.
• If your second antigen test is also negative, wait another 48 hours and test a third time.

Testing can be helpful even when you don’t have symptoms or a recent exposure to COVID-19, such as before an event or visiting someone at higher risk.  Test as close to the time of the event as possible (at least within 1-2 days) to help you make informed decisions about your health and your risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. If you use an antigen test, follow recommendations for repeat testing to be confident in a negative result. Additionally, some places may test people without symptoms or a recent exposure to help keep COVID-19 from spreading to others, especially those who are at higher risk for severe illness.