Testing

Regardless of your vaccination status, if you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you should get tested at least 5 days after your exposure, if possible.
Regardless of your vaccination status, if you have symptoms, you should get tested.

Location: 2230 S. Park St., Madison, WI 53713
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday: 8 am–1pm and 2 pm–4pm.
- Please note we are closed from 1– 2 pm for lunch.
- Some days we have an adjusted schedule:
  - Wednesday, October 5: Open 8-12:30pm
  - Wednesday, October 19: Open 8-12:30pm
  - Wednesday, November 16: Open 8-12:30pm
  - Wednesday, December 21: Open 8-12:30pm
  - Saturday, December 24: Closed
  - Saturday, December 31: Closed
Who we can test: Anyone one year old and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Other details: You do not need an ID. You won't be asked for your immigration status. Spanish interpreters are available onsite. Our clinic rooms are accessible for people using wheelchairs.

Starting October 1, our testing clinic has a new protocol from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services:

If you have no symptoms: You'll receive a free rapid test. You will not be offered a PCR test.
If you have symptoms: You will be swabbed twice. The first swab will be used in a free rapid test.
- If the rapid test is positive: Your second swab will be thrown away.
- If your rapid test is negative: Your second swab will be used to run a free, confirmatory PCR test.
- The above protocol applies to everyone aged 2 and older. Babies 1 year old but younger than 2 years old will receive a PCR test, as rapid tests are authorized for people 2 years and older.

To get tested at our clinic by making an appointment and registering. If you need help booking an appointment, please call (608) 242-6328.
As of October 1, we are on a new registration system from the state health department. You only need to register for your first visit and will create an account.

Step 1. Make a testing appointment

Step 2. Register online

Limit contact with others while you wait. Until you have your test results, limit contact with others. This is very important, especially if you have been exposed to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, or if you have symptoms like fever, cough, and sore throat.
All results will be uploaded to your COVID Connect account.
Results typically come in 24-48 hours, but can take longer. We cannot expedite results.
If your results are not available within 48 hours, please call us at (608) 243-0302.
Consider making an appointment to get vaccinated.

Check out our page What to Do if You are Sick or Possibly Exposed for next steps.
If you or your child has a positive at-home test, you can report your result to help Public Health better understand the level of COVID in our community.

If you plan to travel internationally, read our fact sheet carefully for international travel documentation.
Check your destination’s COVID-19 requirements and restrictions frequently, as many countries change their requirements often with no advance notice.

Via Your Mailbox. People who live in Wisconsin can go to the Say Yes! COVID Test website and place an order for a package of five rapid antigen COVID-19 tests at no cost. Each household can initially order one package, which will arrive in 1-2 weeks.
At-home testing. You can get at-home tests in stores, pharmacies, and online.
- Insurance companies, Medicaid (BadgerCare), and Medicare are required to reimburse up to eight tests per month, per member. Learn more from your insurance provider.
- If you receive a negative home test result and think it may be incorrect (for example, you know you were exposed and/or you are experiencing symptoms), consider taking another home test 24-48 hours later (our blog explains more on why). You could also seek out confirmatory point-of-care testing from a clinic, pharmacy, or one of our community testing sites. Confirmatory testing should be conducted within 48 hours of taking your home test.
- Negative at-home tests may not be accepted for travel purposes, check with your destination and carrier. Anyone with symptoms and/or a positive at-home test should isolate.
- If you or your child has a positive at-home test, you can report your result to help Public Health better understand the level of COVID in our community. Please enter separate surveys for each individual who tested positive via a home test.

Businesses, workplaces, schools, event organizers, etc. might be interested in hosting a large-scale testing event due to an outbreak or other short-term need.
If that describes your organization, there are three companies that are coordinating on-site mass testing locally.
Send us an email, and we will connect you.