Need a Test? Get a Test.
DC residents, 6 years of age and older, experiencing any COVID-19 symptom (fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, congestion, body aches, chills, runny nose) or with known exposure to COVID-19 should get a COVID-19 test. You DO NOT need a doctor\’s note for any of the walk-in sites.
Save Time in the Line
You do not need a doctor\’s note or an appointment for any of the District’s walk-up testing sites. But to save time in line, first visit securelink.dc.gov to create a profile from your smartphone, tablet or computer.
CORE Partnership
In addition to firehouses and select locations across the District, Mayor Bowser, in partnership with CORE, is offering free testing in the District. CORE sites are open from 10 am–4 pm, no appointment necessary and walk-up only. The CORE team will be popping up across the District:
- Monday (July 6) and Wednesday (July 8) at Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church (3000 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE)
- Tuesday (July 7), Thursday (July 9), Friday (July 10), and Saturday (July 11) at the Trinidad Recreation Center (1310 Childress Street, NE)
Free Public Testing Sites
| Site | Address | Time | Appointment Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
Anacostia: Walk-up![](\"https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/coronavirus/walking.png\") |
2241 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am – 2 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
Anacostia: Drive thru![](\"https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/coronavirus/car.png\") |
2241 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE | Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 am – 2 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
| UDC-CC Bertie Backus Campus: Walk-up |
5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE | Tuesday, Thursday 10 am – 2 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
| UDC-CC Bertie Backus Campus: Drive thru |
5171 South Dakota Avenue, NE | Tuesday, Thursday 10 am – 2 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
| Judiciary Square: Walk-up |
F Street, NW between 4th & 5th Streets, NW | Monday through Friday 10 am-2 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
Testing at DC Firehouses – All Walk-up! No Appointment Needed!
| Site | Address | Time | Appointment Needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| FEMS Engine 4
|
2531 Sherman Avenue, NW | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-8 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
| FEMS Engine 11
|
3420 14th Street, NW | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-8 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
| FEMS Engine 24
|
5101 Georgia Avenue, NW | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-8 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
| FEMS Engine 31
|
4930 Connecticut Avenue, NW | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, 4-8 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
| FEMS Engine 8
|
1520 C Street, SE | Thursday, Friday, 4-8 pm; Saturday 12 pm–4 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
| FEMS Engine 10
|
1342 Florida Avenue, NE | Thursday, Friday, 4-8 pm; Saturday 12 pm–4 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
| FEMS Engine 30
|
50 49th Street, NE | Thursday, Friday, 4-8 pm; Saturday 12 pm–4 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
| FEMS Engine 33
|
101 Atlantic Street, SE | Thursday, Friday, 4-8 pm; Saturday 12 pm–4 pm | No, but save time in line and pre-register at securelink.dc.gov. |
What other providers are offering a COVID-19 test?
| Site | Appointments |
|---|---|
| GW University Medical System | For an appointment, call (202) 741-2765 ![](\"https://coronavirus.dc.gov/sites/default/files/dc/sites/coronavirus/phone.png\") |
| Children’s National Health System | For an appointment, visit bit.ly/childrensnationaltesting |
| All Care Family Medicine & Urgent Care | For an appointment, call (202) 787-1979 |
| Mary’s Center | For an appointment, call 1-844-796-2797 |
| Unity Health Care | For an appointment, call (202) 469-4699 |
| Whitman-Walker Health | For an appointment, call (202) 745-7000 |
| Medstar Health | For an appointment, visit MedStarhealth.org/eVisit |
| Sibley Memorial Hospital | For an appointment, call 443-997-9537 |
| Howard University Hospital | For an appointment, call (202) 865-2119 |
| Bread for the City | For more information, call (202) 265-2400 |
| Elaine Ellis Center of Health | For an appointment, call (202) 803-2340 |
| Additional Member Testing Sites | |
| One Medical | For an appointment, call (202) 695-7576 |
| Kaiser Permanente | For an appointment, call (202) 346-3000 |
What Do I Need to Do? What Should I Bring?
Do I need an appointment?
Appointments are no longer needed for any of the District’s walk-up or drive-up sites. However, self-registration is strongly encouraged. Visit securelink.dc.gov to create a profile from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Simply follow the self-registration guidance and your information is easily and quickly available to the site staff upon your arrival. While not required, it strongly recommended that you create a profile before visiting a drive-up site. This is for both safety and efficiency.
Self-Registration
Save time in line. Visit securelink.dc.gov to create a profile from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. When you arrive at any testing location, the staff there will be able to look you up by your name and date of birth. If you were unable to create you profile in advance, staff will assist you on-site by helping you access the link on your smartphone; or entering your information into a site-managed device.
If I self-register which site should I go to?
Once you have created a profile, you can go to any of the following DC Hosted sites to complete the testing process
- Judiciary Square
- Anacostia
- UDC-BB
- FEMS Sites
- CORE pop-up sites
Self-registration does not set you up for a test at a private provider or clinic.
When you arrive at a site:
Self-registration does not guarantee your spot in line at a specific location, but simply expedites the process once you arrive. It also does not reserve a test kit for you Each site has a limited number of kits allocated for the day, and occasionally that number is reached. Site staff work very hard to communicate to those in line when site capacity is going to be reached.
What will I need to bring to the test site?
A valid, government-issued photo ID showing proof of residency in the District of Columbia. If an individual does not have a valid District of Columbia government-issued ID, they must bring any government issued ID with a bill (e.g., utility, cell phone, lease, bank statement, etc.) marked to their current address. First responders and healthcare workers who work in the District of Columbia will be asked to provide proof of employment (e.g., badge).
What is the process for COVID-19 testing?
You will receive a nasal swab. During this test you may feel some discomfort, including nose irritation or minor bleeding. All are normal.
What should I do while I wait to be swabbed?
Walk-up testing: If you are walking, please remain 6 feet from other individuals while you wait and cover your cough and sneeze.
Drive-thru testing: Stay in your car at all times and keep your windows rolled up, unless asked to roll your window down for testing.
When will my results be ready?
After testing, an individual will learn results within 5-7 days. After the test, the individual will receive a letter with the information on how to receive their results.
How will I receive my results?
For patient privacy, results are NOT be available via phone. After the test, the individual will receive a letter with the information on how to receive their results.
What should you do while you wait for results?
- Because your results are unknown immediately after testing, it’s critical you stay home. Staying home until your results are known helps stop potential spread in our community.
- Do not go to work or spend time in public places. Work from home if you can. Do not go to restaurants to pick-up or carry out food, avoid visits to essential businesses, etc.
- Separate yourself from other people and pets in your home. Stay in a specific room and if possible, a designated bathroom away from others in your home.
- Wear a facemask/covering when around other people or pets, at home and outside.
- Wash your hands, multiple times a day, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Avoid sharing household items like dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, and bedding.
- Maintaining your mental health while you wait is important. Certified clinicians are available 24/7 through the DC Department of Behavioral Health’s mental health hotline: 1-888-793-4357.
Why are individuals encouraged to get tested through their health care provider?
While there are many free testing sites across DC, including the District’s walk-up and drive-thru sites, individuals are encouraged to get tested through their own health care provider so that when the test results come back, the patient is already connected to health care. However, if an individual needs a COVID-19 test and their health care provider is unable to provide a test, that individual should come to one on the District’s walk-up or drive-thru sites.
If your symptoms worsen, please seek prompt medical attention. Call 911 if you have a medical emergency such as difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, bluish lips or face