Get tested in SF
We’re working to expand testing capacity. People who feel sick, work with the public, or have been exposed to COVID-19 should get tested. If you have health insurance, please schedule an appointment with your provider.
If you do not have insurance, or you work outside your home, or you feel sick, you can make an appointment at a City-run test site.
If you live in SF and test positive, but don’t have sick pay the City can help replace your income.
About City-run test sites
Eligibility if you work in SF
If you leave your home to work in San Francisco, you can get tested without symptoms, if you either:
- Interact with the public
- Cannot stay 6 feet apart from people at your job
- Work directly with people who are most at risk (including work in homelessness, healthcare, or long-term care facilities)
Eligibility if you live in SF
If you live in San Francisco, you can get tested if you either:
- Have 1 symptom
- Was exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days
COVID-19 symptoms
- Fever over 100.4° Fahrenheit or 38.0° Celsius
- Chills (shivering a lot)
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Fatigue or soreness
- Loss of smell or taste
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Diarrhea, feeling sick to your stomach, or throwing up
Cost and insurance
Tests at City-run sites are free to you. If you have health insurance, we will bill your provider.
You do not need medical insurance to get tested at a City-run site. You do not need a doctor's note to schedule a test.
Privacy
Photo ID is not needed. You may be asked to show photo ID, but you can say no.
The personal info you provide is confidential. Your test result will be reported to your local and state health departments.
If you shared the name of your doctor, your doctor will also get your results.
After your test
You should get your results in less than a week.
If you feel sick, isolate at home for 10 days.
If you were exposed to someone who tested positive, quarantine at home for at least 14 days.
If you don’t feel sick and were not exposed, keep following Stay Home guidelines.
If you test positive, a City health worker will call you. They will ask about people you have been physically close to.
This information is also printed in a booklet that is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Filipino.
Testing options for the general public
Get a test with your health provider
Call your healthcare provider directly, if you don't see them on this list.
Carbon Health
City-run, open by appointment only
Embarcadero Test Site
City of SF testing site.
Walk-through and drive-through, with an appointment.
Pier 30/32
7 days a week, 8 am to 6 pm.
SOMA Test Site
City of SF testing site.
Walk-through and drive-through, with an appointment.
600 7th St
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Neighborhood test sites (limited capacity)
Test sites that are open to the public, but target uninsured or local residents.
Castro Mission Testing Site
For uninsured or SF Health Network patients. Children can get tested here.
3850 17th Street
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 12 pm and 1 pm to 5 pm
Saturday and Sunday, 12 pm to 4 pm
Call to schedule an appointment. You can drop in.
Chinese Hospital Test Site
Open to everyone. Check your eligibility when you make an appointment.
845 Jackson Street
Monday through Saturday, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, except holidays.
Call to schedule an appointment.
Maxine Hall Testing Site
For uninsured or SF Health Network patients. Children can get tested here.
1181 Golden Gate Avenue
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 am to 12pm, 1 pm to 4 pm
Wednesday, 8:30 am to 12 pm
Call to schedule an appointment. You can drop in.
Mission Neighborhood Health Center
Focused on Mission residents and community members.
240 Shotwell St, in the parking lot.
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
Call to schedule an appointment.
Potrero Hill Health Center Testing Site
For uninsured or SF Health Network patients. Children can get tested here.
1050 Wisconsin Street
Monday to Friday, 9 am to 12 pm and 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Site is drop-in only. No appointment needed.
Southeast Health Center Testing Site
For uninsured or SF Health Network patients. Children can get tested here.
2401 Keith Street
Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm
Call to schedule an appointment. You can drop in.
Sunnydale HOPE SF Testing Site
For uninsured or SF Health Network patients and Sunnydale residents.
1652 Sunnydale Avenue
Tuesday 2 pm to 6 pm
Thursday 10 am to 2 pm
Drop in only.
Tenderloin Neighborhood Testing Site at GLIDE
Focused on residents of the Tenderloin neighborhood.
No insurance needed. No ID needed.
Walk-through
GLIDE parking lot, 330 Ellis Street
Make an appointment at 330 Ellis Street on Thursdays and Fridays, 10 am to 4 pm.
Testing happens on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 am to 4 pm. You must have an appointment to get tested.
ZSFG Testing Site
For uninsured or SF Health Network patients. Children can get tested here.
1001 Potrero Avenue
Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
Call to schedule an appointment.
You must make an appointment, unless mentioned otherwise. Wear a face covering and stay 6 feet apart from others, when you arrive to get tested. If you drive through, keep your windows rolled up and your mask on.
More information
After your test
Get help
Downloadable resources
About testing partners
Color is a health tech company providing a high volume COVID-19 test lab for Embarcadero, SOMA, and mobile sites in SF.
One Medical is a national primary care practice, managing clinical operations at SOMA. They operate over 20 test sites.
Optum provides COVID-19 testing at over 80 sites across CA, including City College.
Carbon provides in-clinic testing services at various sites in SF.
About
The COVID-19 test detects if you have the virus at the time you take the test. It does not test for immunity or if you had the virus in the past.
If your test is negative, you must still be careful. You can still get infected. If you have COVID-19 symptoms later, you can get tested again.
Have questions or need more help? Call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.