If you have health insurance, the best option is to contact your doctor or health plan to get tested. Doctors and health plans are responsible for providing free COVID-19 testing to patients assigned to them. See more below.
If your employer or school requires a test, go through your workplace or school to get tested. They may offer free tests.
If you do not have health insurance, don’t worry. There are many ways to get free tests in LA County.
Many sites test children of any age. Check with the testing site to find out if they offer PCR and/or antigen tests.
Visit covid19.lacounty.gov/testing or text 1-844-833-1334 to find a location near you. If you don’t have access to the internet, email, or need help arranging a test, call 2-1-1.
The County does not endorse or regulate all COVID-19 testing sites. Please make sure to read and ask about any costs for a COVID-19 test.
You collect the sample and do the test yourself. Results of these “self-tests” are usually available in 10-30 minutes. If your antigen test is past its expiration date, it may still be good to use – see instructions at ph.lacounty.gov/covidselftest.
Call your health plan or visit their website for instructions.
For more information, visit the CMS webpage How to get your At-Home Over-The-Counter COVID-19 Test for Free.
You collect the sample yourself and then mail it to a laboratory for testing. Results are usually available 24-48 hours after the lab receives the test.
If you have insurance, your health insurer is required to cover the entire cost of testing if a doctor orders the test. You do not need to have symptoms to request a test.
Insurance companies may not cover COVID-19 testing if done as part of an employee return-to-work program. If your employer requires a test, go through your job.
If your child has symptoms, it is best to get a test from their doctor or local health center. If you need help finding a doctor, call 2-1-1 or visit 211LA. You can also find a health center near you at HRSA.gov
Many County-sponsored sites test children of any age. But check before you go.
The age limit for testing children at different pharmacies vary:
If you plan to use an antigen test, check the box for the age limit.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that unauthorized and counterfeit COVID-19 self-tests are being used and distributed in the US. For more information, visit the self-test page and see tips on how to avoid buying fake test kits online.
There are also fake COVID-19 testing locations - see tips to avoid getting tricked into using a scam testing location.
If you think you found a fake COVID-19 pop-up site or bought a fake COVID-19 test, please report it to the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at bit.ly/DCBAHelp or 1-800-593-8222.
Visit the COVID-19 scams and fraud webpage to find out more about common COVID-19 scams and fraud.