Step-by-step of COVID-19 Testing at Public Health South Madison Clinic

COVID-19 testing is readily available in Dane County.  Here is how it works. 

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Choose a testing location

Anyone 12 months old and older can receive a COVID-19 test. There is no ID needed and you won’t be asked your immigration status. The testing page of our website gives a broad overview of all of your testing options in Dane County. You can find information about pharmacies and other testing sites might have days, including locations or hours that are more convenient for your needs than the Public Health testing site. All locations listed use the same registration, test, lab and results process.

Getting tested at the South Madison clinic

If you would like to be tested at our S. Park St clinic in Madison, there are three steps:

STEP 1:  Get an appointment

On our webpage , Click on Step 1. Choose from available days and times. Enter your Name, phone number and email and answer the questions at the bottom of the screen. Click “Complete Appointment”. On the confirmation screen, you can see your appointment, and click a button to add it to your iCalendar, Microsoft Outlook or your Google calendar automatically. You will also receive an email confirmation.

STEP 2:  Pre-register within 3 days of your test

When you are within 72 hours of your test, it’s time to pre-register. This step needs to be done close to your testing time because it asks questions about your symptoms that need to be up-to-date when we conduct your test. You can find the link to pre-register in your confirmation email and on our testing webpage. Complete the questionnaire and verify your birth date is correct. This is especially important because we use your date of birth to verify your test results later. After the registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email from an email address ending in dhs.wisconsin.gov with a QR code.

STEP 3:  Get tested

When it’s time for your appointment, come to our location just off the beltline at 2230 S. Park Street in Madison. Park in our parking lot at the north end, or right side, of the building. Staff will ask about your appointment and if you have a QR code. If you can’t find your QR code for any reason, staff can look up your registration by name but it will take a little longer. Next, you’ll be shown to a testing room in the clinic. Staff will scan your QR code and take the test sample. We swab one inch inside your nose for about 10 seconds. The test will only tell us if you have COVID-19 right now. It does not tell us if you had COVID-19 in the past.

Getting your results

Results usually arrive in 24 to 72 hours and average about 48 hours. When the number of COVID cases and tests in our community get higher, the lab is busier, so results can come later.

For both negative and positive results: we will email you a secure link. You will need to enter your name and date of birth to verify your identity, and then you can view and print your results. If you did not provide an email address, we will call with your results.

Your results will include your full name, date of birth, result, result date, and test ID number if you need proof of your test. Results also contain the Lab name and address, the lab’s CLIA number, the test method, the time your specimen was collected and the time your results were ready. This information is sometimes required for international travel or other uses. If you plan to travel internationally, read our fact sheet carefully for international travel documentation.

If you need further help

• If you need help booking an appointment, please call (608) 242-6328.
• If it has been at least 5 days since you got tested at and you haven't received your results, call the Wisconsin COVID-19 Results Line at (866) 419-6988.
• If you need a free ride to the 2230 S. Park Street test site, call (608) 243-0420 to schedule a ride.