District of Columbia COVID-19 Testing Sites

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	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	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!

What other providers are offering a COVID-19 test?

Site	Appointments
GW University Medical System	For an appointment, call (202) 741-2765
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