Testing

someone's code is scanned on their phone ahead of testing at alliant energy centerShould I get tested?

  • 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.

What should I do if I test positive? 

Testing Options

Testing at Alliant Energy Center from Accelerated Labs

Starting January 10, Public Health Madison & Dane County is supporting the Wisconsin Department of Health Services-contracted private testing provider, Accelerated Labs, to open an appointment-only additional mass testing clinic in Dane County. Read more in the news release.

The Arena at Alliant Energy Center
1900 Alliant Energy Center Way, Madison

Hours:
  • Monday, 10am-6pm
  • Tuesday, 10am-6pm
  • Wednesday, 10am-6pm 
  • Thursday, 10am-6pm 
  • Friday, 10am-6pm

Making An Appointment and Registering

There are three steps to getting your test:

Step 1. Make a testing appointment at the Arena

Step 2. Register online

Registration should happen no more than 72 hours before your appointment – this has to happen close to your appointment time so that we have current information about signs and symptoms you may be experiencing.

Step 3. Arrive at our testing location in time for your test appointment.

Arena at the Alliant Energy Center Clinic Details

  • By appointment only. If you need help booking an appointment, please call (608) 242-6328. 
  • For anyone 2 years old and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • No ID is needed and you won't be asked for your immigration status.
  • This test involves swabbing a sample from about one inch inside your nose. It will only tell us if you have COVID-19 right now. It does not tell us if you had COVID-19 in the past. 
  • Antigen tests (rapid tests) are not available at this time.

Village on Park: Public Health Clinic

2230 S. Park St.
Madison, WI 53713

Hours:

  • Tuesday, 8am-4pm
  • Wednesday, 8am-4pm*
  • Thursday, 8am-4pm 
  • Friday, 8am-4pm
  • Saturday, 8am-4pm

*Note that on January 19, February 16, March 16, April 20, May 18, and June 15 our testing hours are 8am-12:30pm.

Making An Appointment and Registering

There are three steps to getting your test:

Step 1. Make a testing appointment at 2230 S. Park Street

Step 2. Register online

Registration should happen no more than 72 hours before your appointment – this has to happen close to your appointment time so that we have current information about signs and symptoms you may be experiencing.

Step 3. Arrive at our testing location in time for your test appointment.

South Madison Office Details

  • By appointment only. If you need help booking an appointment, please call (608) 242-6328. 
  • For anyone 12 months old and older. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • No ID is needed and you won't be asked for your immigration status.
  • Spanish interpreters are available onsite.
  • Free rides are available to the 2230 S. Park Street test site. Call (608) 243-0420 to schedule a ride. Please note you must wear a mask while using this service. This is not an on-demand service; you will be scheduling an appointment to get a free ride.
  • This test involves swabbing a sample from about one inch inside your nose. It will only tell us if you have COVID-19 right now. It does not tell us if you had COVID-19 in the past. 
  • Antigen tests (rapid tests) are not available at this time.

Testing and Travel

There are many options for COVID-19 testing in Dane County and surrounding areas

Map of Testing Sites 

While there are many testing sites in Dane County, the testing partners listed below are working closely with us to serve Dane County and surrounding areas. The names of testing sites with weekend hours are bolded below.

  • Beaver Dam: Hometown Pharmacy (609 N. Spring Street): Monday - Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 742-3545 and pre-register.
  • Beloit: Hometown Pharmacy (1006 Woodward Avenue): Tuesday - Friday, 8:30am to 11:30am. Make an appointment online or call (608) 362-1234 and pre-register. 
  • Beloit: Summit Clinical Laboratories (61 Eclipse Blvd): Monday – Friday, 8am to 4pm. No appointment necessary. Pre-register.
  • Brodhead: Pinnow Hometown Pharmacy (1028 1st Center Avenue): Monday - Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 897-2595 and pre-register. 
  • Cambridge: Forward Pharmacy (109 W Main Street): Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Make an appointment.
  • Columbus: Forward Pharmacy (100 S Luddington Street): Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm, Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00am to 6:00pm. Make an appointment. 
  • Cottage Grove: Forward Pharmacy of Cottage Grove (429 W Cottage Grove Rd): Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 839-3335 and pre-register. 
  • Deerfield: Forward Pharmacy (10 Liberty Street): Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Make an appointment. 
  • DeForest: Hometown Pharmacy (645 S. Main Street): Monday – Friday, 10:00am to 4:00pm and Saturday, 9:00am to 12:00pm. Make an appointment online or call (608) 846-4736 and pre-register.
  • Dodgeville: Hometown Pharmacy (316 W Spring Street): Monday -- Thursday, 9:00am to 5:00pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 935-3661. 
  • Fitchburg: JangoDx in Upper Lot (2997 Yarmouth Greenway Drive): Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please note this is a self-swabbing location, where you take your own sample.
  • Fitchburg: Fitchburg Family Pharmacy (3050 Cahill Main, Suite 6): Monday – Friday, 9:00am to 6:00 pm
  • Lodi: Hometown Pharmacy (801 North Main Street, Suite A): Monday – Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 592-0662 and pre-register. 
  • Madison (East Side): Community Pharmacy (130 S. Fair Oaks Avenue): Wednesday -- Thursday, 10:00am to 2:00pm. Call 608-251-4454 to make an appointment. Pre-register. 
  • Madison (East Side): Summit Clinical Laboratories (232 E Towne Way - Food Court Entrance): Monday – Friday 8am to 4pm. No appointment necessary. No out of pocket costs for symptomatic or exposed individuals. Lab will bill insurance if available, but there is never a copay or other charge for COVID testing. Lab will test those without insurance at no cost. Expedited PCR testing for travel is $100. Pre-register. 
  • Madison (West Side): GoDX (510 Charmany Drive): Monday-Friday, 8:30am to 5pm. Please note this site specializes in urgent tests for travel since turnaround times for lab reports are guaranteed. PCR test costs $250 for lab report within 24 hours; PCR test costs $350 for lab report within 2 hours.
  • Madison (West Side): JP Hair Design, Inc. (584 Grand Canyon Drive): Monday – Thursday, 7:00am to 6:00pm and Friday, 7:00am to 4:00pm. Also open Sunday November 20, 11am to 3pm. By appointment only. Pre-register to make an appointment.
  • Madison (West Side): Covid Clinic, 72 W Towne Mall, Madison, WI 53719, Mon - Fri 9AM - 7PM, Sat 10AM - 5PM, Sun 11AM - 4PM. No out of pocket costs for symptomatic or exposed individuals. Lab will bill insurance if available, but there is never a copay or other charge for COVID testing. Lab will test those without insurance at no cost. Expedited PCR testing for travel available ranging from $150-$300 depending on time needed. Appointments required; Register Here.
  • Madison (North Side): JangoDx at Warner Park (1511 Northport Drive): Monday – Sunday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please note this is a self-swabbing location, where you take your own sample. Site relocated to Fitchburg location on 1/5 due to inclement weather. 
  • Mayville: Hometown Pharmacy (1448 Horicon Street): Monday – Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Call for an appointment at (920) 644-2080 and pre-register. 
  • McFarland: Medicine Shoppe (5700 US Hwy 51): Monday – Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. No appointment necessary but you must pre-register. Please note this is a self-swabbing location, where you take your own sample. 
  • McFarland: Forward Pharmacy (4880 Larson Beach Road): Monday - Friday, 9:00am to 6:00pm, Saturday, 9:00am to 3:00pm, and Sunday, 9:00am to 12:00pm. Make an appointment. 
  • Monona: Medicine Shoppe (4205 Monona Drive): Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:30 pm and Saturday, 9:00am to 12:30pm. Please note this is a self-swabbing location, where you take your own sample.
  • Monroe:  Hometown Pharmacy (131 W. 7th Street Unit B): Monday – Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 426-6540 and pre-register. 
  • Monroe:  Schultz Hometown Pharmacy (1008 17th Avenue): Monday – Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 325-2151 and pre-register. 
  • New Glarus:  Hometown Pharmacy (1101 WI-69, #7): Monday – Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 527-2517 and pre-register. 
  • Pardeeville:  Hometown Pharmacy (117 North Main Street): Monday – Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 429-2325 and pre-register. 
  • Poynette:  Hometown Pharmacy (317 US-51): Monday – Thursday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 635-9456 and pre-register. 
  • Portage:  Wilz Drug Inc. (140 East Cook Street): Monday – Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 742-3545 and pre-register. 
  • Randolph:  Hometown Pharmacy (107 N. High Street): Monday - Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Call for an appointment at (920) 326-5242 and pre-register. 
  • Rio:  Hometown Pharmacy (208 Lincoln Ave): Monday - Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Call for an appointment at (920) 992-3369 and pre-register. 
  • Stoughton: JangoDx (3162 Co Rd B): Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Please note this is a self-swabbing location, where you take your own sample.
  • Sun Prairie: Hometown Pharmacy (13 N. Bird Street): Monday – Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 825-7530 and pre-register. 
  • Waterloo:  Hometown Pharmacy (806 North Monroe Street): Monday – Friday, 10:00am to 5:00pm. Call for an appointment at (920) 478-8273 and pre-register. 
  • Watertown: Hometown Pharmacy (204 E. Main Street): Monday - Friday 9:00am to 5:30pm, Saturday 9:00am to 12:30pm. Call for an appointment at (920) 261-1900 and pre-register. 
  • Waunakee:  Hometown Pharmacy (223 S. Century Ave): Monday – Friday, 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Call for an appointment at (608) 850-9314 and pre-register. 

Additional Testing Options

  • Via Your Mailbox. 

    • Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Get details on the USPS website. 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.
    • The Wisconsin Department of Health Services offers a service for requesting a test kit delivered to your mailbox. Find details on their website.

  • At-home testing. Buy an at-home test at a local pharmacy. These tests can provide quick results but can be less reliable so they should be followed up by a PCR test within 48 hours if possible, especially if you have symptoms and a negative at-home test or no symptoms and a positive at-home test. Negative at-home tests cannot be used for travel purposes. Anyone with symptoms and/or a positive at-home test should isolate. If you are receiving a follow up PCR test, isolate until you receive your PCR results. 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.

  • Your Healthcare Provider. If you have severe symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. Do not use healthcare providers for routine testing including asymptomatic screening, return-to-school or return-to-work testing, or testing for travel; instead, use one of the options listed above. 
  • UW-Madison Students and Staff. UW-Madison has testing available on campus for students and staff members.

Getting Your Results

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.

Expect a Call or Email with Your Results. People tested at our test sites with a PCR test usually hear back in 24-72 hours, but test results can take longer. We cannot expedite test results.

  • For negative and positive results: you will be emailed a secure link. You will be prompted to enter your name and date of birth to verify your identity, and then can view and print your results. If you didn’t provide an email address, you will be called 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. If you do not view your test results within three days, you will receive a call.
  • Expect an email with the option to set up a MyChart account. Everyone will receive an email allowing them to set up a My Chart account to view results. This is optional.
  • If you have a question or haven't received results: 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.
  • Consider making an appointment to get vaccinated.