How to get tested in Vermont
At-home antigen tests (also called rapid tests or self-tests) meet many testing needs and are widely available at pharmacies around the state and at online retailers.
- Order free through the federal government: covid.gov/tests to order free antigen test kits and have them mailed to your home. Limit 1 order per household of 4 test kits.
- Buy online or in pharmacies and retail stores: Some health insurance plans can cover the cost of at-home tests. You may be able to show your insurance card at the pharmacy and get test kits at no cost to you. Some health plans may require you to pay for the tests and then be reimbursed. Learn more about insurance coverage
- Search online for locations that offer no-cost COVID-19 testing: Find a location convenient for you, then visit the provider’s website to make an appointment. Use the CDC No-Cost Testing Locator tool
- Contact your health care provider: Medical practices might offer other COVID-19 testing options.
HELP Getting Tests
If you cannot get at-home antigen tests from the options above, please check with your local health office.
Food shelves, libraries, and municipal offices who are interested in distributing COVID-19 at-home tests in their community can also email [email protected].
If you are homebound, you can get a PCR test in your home. Homebound means you are not able to leave your home for scheduled medical care or non-medical appointments. Call the Health Department's EMS Office at (802) 863-7274, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., to request and schedule a PCR test at home.
Translated videos on where to get tests from the Vermont Language Justice Project: ASL | العربية (Arabic) | မြန်မာစာ (Burmese) | دری (Dari) | English | Français (French) | Kirundi | Maay Maay | Mandarin | नेपाली (Nepali) | پښتو (Pashto) | Soomaai (Somali) | Español (Spanish) | Kiswahili (Swahili) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
TEST KIT EXPIRATION DATES
Many test expiration dates have been extended. Check information below for new dates by brand:
FDA information on tests.
Check Intrivo on/go tests.
Check iHealth tests.
Check FlowFlex tests.
When to get Tested
- If you have symptoms of COVID-19 ─ even if the symptoms are mild, and even if you previously had COVID-19. Test as soon as possible.
- If you are a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 and you are not vaccinated or not up to date on your vaccines. Learn more about when close contacts should get tested.
- If you are using at-home antigen tests, please follow the FDA recommendations on testing with antigen tests. This includes testing more than once, each 48 hours apart.
If you test positive and you are age 65 or older or have a medical condition that may put you at risk, reach out to your health care provider to ask about treatment — as soon as you get a positive test result. Learn more about treatment
Find tips and learn more from the CDC about self-testing
Learn about Test Types
At-home antigen test:
- Recommended if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or think you may have recently been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19.
- Recommended if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days.
- If you are symptomatic and test negative, multiple tests should be taken at least 48 hours apart. See Reduce Your Risk of False Negative Results (FDA)
- Approved for ages 2 and older.
At-home molecular test (also called at-home LAMP or NAAT test):
- Recommended if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or think you may have recently been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19.
- Not recommended if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days. Past recent infections could result in a false-positive.
- Approved for ages 2 and older.
PCR test:
- As recommended by your provider after clinical evaluation.
- Approved for all ages.
Report Your Results
If there is no option to automatically report your self-test result, please report results (positive or negative) to the Health Department using our online form. Your response is confidential, and reporting your test result helps the Health Department understand how many Vermonters are being tested for COVID-19 and how the virus is spreading in our communities.