What type of COVID-19 test do you need?

Antigen test. Rapid test. PCR test. RT-PCR test. Antibody test. If you’ve taken a COVID-19 test during the pandemic, you might have been bewildered by the sheer number of options.

Keeping track of which COVID-19 test you need can seem daunting. Not all COVID-19 tests are created equal — and not all are suitable for international travel.

What you’ll usually need for travel is a PCR test (polymerase chain reaction). These are the most reliable tests for detecting active COVID-19 infections and are considered the “gold standard” of tests. In this guide, we’ll primarily focus on testing sites that provide these more accurate PCR tests, though keep in mind that some destinations — like Hawaii — only accept PCR tests from a specific list of testing providers.

The tests that often won’t help you with travel are antibody tests, blood tests that can identify if a previous COVID-19 infection caused your immune system to produce COVID-19 antibodies. Some countries also won’t accept rapid antigen tests, which check for proteins on the virus’s surface. These tests are popular for their quick turnaround times but are less accurate than PCR tests.

Check to see if you can get a rapid PCR test

Though PCR tests generally take around 72 hours for results, some urgent care facilities have introduced “rapid PCR tests,” where you can receive your results in as few as 30 minutes. That said, if you’re looking for a faster way to get a PCR test, it may cost you.

We offer FREE PCR and Rapid Test through the CARES ACT.  If you need the result within 24 hours or less it will cost you $50.