Skip to main content
          Skip to FDA Search
          Skip to in this section menu
          Skip to footer links


U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government

					Here’s how you know
          			Dot gov**The .gov means it’s official.**Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you're on a federal government site.
							      SSL**The site is secure.** The **https://** ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely. 
			U.S. Food and Drug Administration
				
        Search
            Menu
							
						Search FDA
									
									Submit search 
		Featured
							Contact FDA
	                FDA Guidance Documents
	                Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts
	                Press Announcements
	                Warning Letters
	                Advisory Committees
	                En Español

					Products
            Food
							Drugs
							Medical Devices
							Radiation-Emitting Products
							Vaccines, Blood, and Biologics
							Animal and Veterinary
							Cosmetics
							Tobacco ProductsTopics
            About FDA
							Combination Products
							Regulatory Information
							Safety
							Emergency Preparedness
							International Programs
							News and Events
							Training and Continuing Education
							Inspections and Compliance
							Science and ResearchInformation For
            Consumers
	            Patients
	            Industry
	            Health Professionals
	            Federal, State and Local Officials 
 In this section:

                Consumer Updates

Consumer Updates

                        Animal & Veterinary
          Children's Health
          Cosmetics
          Dietary Supplements
          Drugs
          Food
          Medical Devices
          Nutrition
          Radiation-Emitting Products
          Tobacco Products
          Vaccines, Blood & Biologics


                        Artículos para el consumidor en español Home
          For Consumers
          Consumer Updates
          COVID-19 Test BasicsConsumer Updates COVID-19 Test Basics
  
  	
    Subscribe to Email Updates
    Share
    Post
    Linkedin

    Email
    PrintImage
              collage with three photos showing woman being tested for the coronavirus with a nasal swab, lab scientist wearing full personal protective gear preparing test sample with pipet, and a 3D illustration of the coronavirusEspañol 简体中文 한국어 Tagalog Việt

Have a COVID-19 test you think may be expired? Read more about expiration date information for FDA-authorized at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests.


COVID-19 testing plays a critical role in the fight against the virus. Understanding COVID-19 tests, including the different types of tests and their uses, and the types of samples the tests use, is key to making an informed decision that meets your needs.

Types of Tests

There are different types of COVID-19 tests – **diagnostic tests** and **antibody tests**.

**Diagnostic tests** can show if you currently are infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. There are two common types of COVID-19 diagnostic tests:

Molecular tests, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) tests, which detect genetic material called RNA from the virus
	Antigen tests, often referred to as rapid tests or, for some, at-home or self tests, which detect proteins called antigens from the virusSamples for COVID-19 diagnostic tests are typically collected using an anterior nares (nasal) swab sample. Some diagnostic tests use other samples such as mid-turbinate, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, or saliva samples. Depending on the intended use, COVID-19 diagnostic tests can be performed at a laboratory, a standalone testing site, a doctor’s office or health clinic, or at home. For most molecular COVID-19 diagnostic tests, you go to a testing site to have your sample collected and for others you can collect your own sample at home using a home collection kit and mail it to a laboratory for testing. Some tests, including most antigen tests, can be performed completely at home, giving you results within minutes, without needing to send your sample to a laboratory.

If you think you need a COVID-19 diagnostic test, you can find a community testing site in your state. You can also use an FDA-authorized at-home COVID-19 diagnostic test which gives you the option of self-testing where it is convenient for you. Be sure to check the At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests website for information on expiration dates, who can use the test, and other details that may help you decide what test is right for you. Be aware that COVID-19 diagnostic tests are authorized for specific uses and that laboratory-based molecular COVID-19 tests, are generally more accurate than at-home tests.

To increase the accuracy of an at-home COVID-19 antigen diagnostic test, it is important to perform repeat testing, after 48 hours, following a negative test result, whether you have symptoms or not, to reduce your risk of a false negative test result. For more information about how to reduce your risk of getting a false negative result on an at-home COVID-19 antigen test, read our FDA Safety Communication. For additional information on reading and understanding your test results, see Understanding At-Home OTC COVID-19 Antigen Diagnostic Test Results.

For details about each authorized COVID-19 diagnostic test, see the lists of authorized Molecular Diagnostic Tests and Antigen Diagnostic Tests, as well as the At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests webpage. Using the search box in the EUA tables, you can use keywords to search and filter the type of test or collection kit you are looking for. As new tests are authorized for use, they are added to these tables so that anyone can access up-to-date information on all authorized tests and collection kits.

**Antibody (or serology) tests look for antibodies** in your blood that your immune system produced in response to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. **Antibody tests should not be used to diagnose a current SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19** and, at this time, should also not be used to check for immunity. More research is needed to determine what, if anything, antibody tests can tell us about a person’s immunity.

Samples for antibody tests are typically collected by a doctor or other medical professional by taking blood from a finger stick or your vein. For more information about antibody testing, visit Antibody (Serology) Testing for COVID-19: Information for Patients and Consumers.

Types of Samples

Different tests are authorized to be used with different types of samples. The most common sample types are:

COVID-19 swab sample locations: Anterior Nares, Mid-turbinate, Nasopharyngeal, and Oropharyngeal

**Swab samples** use a swab (similar to a long Q-Tip) to collect a sample from the nose or throat. The types of samples include:

Anterior Nares (Nasal) – takes a sample from just inside the nostrils
	Mid-turbinate – takes a sample from further up inside the nose
	Nasopharyngeal – takes a sample from deep inside the nose, reaching the back of the throat, and should only be collected by a trained health care provider
	Oropharyngeal– takes a sample from the middle part of the throat (pharynx) just beyond the mouth, and should only be collected by a trained health care provider**Saliva samples** are collected by spitting into a tube rather than using a nose or throat swab.

**Blood samples**are only used to test for antibodies and not to diagnose COVID-19. Venous blood samples are typically collected at a doctor’s office or clinic. Some antibody tests use blood samples from a finger stick.

Read More

You can read more about the individual types of tests, safety communications and how to interpret your test results at the links below:

FDA authorized molecular tests
	FDA authorized antigen tests
	At-home antigen test page
	Safety communication
	Understanding at-home OTC antigen test resultsReport Adverse Events

The FDA encourages health care professionals and patients to report adverse events or side effects as well as performance issues related to the use of COVID-19 tests or other medical products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Complete and submit the report online through the FDA’s MedWatch website.
	Download the form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a form, then complete and return to the address on the form or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      09/07/2023
              
              
Regulated Product(s)
		 Medical Devices
			  			     			  						              
			
			
			
			
			
			
			  
			  IVDs (In Vitro Diagnostic Devices)Topic(s)
			  CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)
				  				     				  				  
				   
				  
				  				  TestingHealth Topic(s)
			  CoronavirusConsumer Updates

          
                        Animal & Veterinary
          Children's Health
          Cosmetics
          Dietary Supplements
          Drugs
          Food
          Medical Devices
          Nutrition
          Radiation-Emitting Products
          Tobacco Products
          Vaccines, Blood & Biologics


                        Artículos para el consumidor en español
 Consumer Update Email
                        Subscribe to receive FDA Consumer Update email notifications.
    Subscribe to Consumer Updates
 Footer Links
    FDA Archive
          About FDA
          Accessibility
      Visitor Information
          Website Policies / Privacy
          No FEAR Act
          Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
      FOIA
          HHS.gov
          USA.gov
    Contact FDA
      Follow FDA on Facebook
      Follow FDA on X
      Follow FDA on Instagram
      Follow FDA on LinkedIn
      View FDA videos on YouTube
      Subscribe to FDA RSS feeds
    FDA Homepage
    Contact Number
      1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332) Back toTop