Getting Tested for STDs in Bakersfield, CA

Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing in Bakersfield is confidential, and you can choose the setting that fits your needs. Clinics are a good fit if you want to talk with a clinician about symptoms, recent exposure, or treatment during the same visit, while private labs may work better if you want a straightforward sample collection appointment.

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in Kern County, and gonorrhea is reported next most often. That local pattern is one reason routine screening matters, even when you do not have clear symptoms.

Many people schedule STD testing as part of routine sexual health care, after a change in partners, or when symptoms are unclear. Bakersfield has several local options with different costs, turnaround times, and visit formats, and you can explore STD testing in California for additional statewide resources.

Find an STD Testing Location in Bakersfield, CA

You can find STD testing throughout Bakersfield at clinics and community health centers. Many locations are near central Bakersfield around 16th St. and Brundage Ln., with additional options near Oildale around Roberts Ln. and on the northwest side near Calloway Dr.

Talk with a health care provider about which tests fit your symptoms, recent exposure, and medical history.

What to expect from STD testing

STD Testing Options in Bakersfield, CA

You can choose in-clinic care, private lab collection, or at-home testing in Bakersfield based on the level of privacy, support, and turnaround time you want.

  • At-home testing: at-home STD tests let you collect a sample at home and mail it to a certified lab. Results are usually posted in the company’s portal after the lab processes the sample.
  • In-clinic testing: A primary care provider, OB-GYN, urgent care center, or community clinic can test you and help you decide between a single test and a broader panel. This option can be helpful if you have symptoms or want to discuss treatment during the same visit.
  • Private lab testing: LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics collection sites in the area may offer appointment-based sample collection, and some locations accept walk-in visits when a provider has already placed the order.
  • Public health and community clinics: Local clinics can be a practical option if cost is a concern or you do not have a regular provider. Many clinics offer confidential screening along with other health services.
STD testing options in Bakersfield

When Should I Get Tested for STDs?

In Kern County, chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most commonly reported STDs, and those are the infections most worth screening for. If you noticed unusual symptoms that prompted a test, it can help to get checked sooner rather than trying to guess the cause on your own. Many STDs have no symptoms, so testing is the only way to know your status, and the CDC recommends routine screening based on age and risk factors. A health care provider can help you choose the right tests based on your recent partners, exposure timing, and symptoms.

What Will Be Tested in an STD Panel?

A standard STD panel usually checks for common bacterial infections and blood-borne infections, and a broader panel may add herpes and hepatitis testing.

Here is what happens during a testing visit:

  1. Check in at the front desk or complete online registration.
  2. Provide a urine sample, blood sample, or swab based on the tests ordered.
  3. Wait for results, which are typically ready within one to three business days for lab-based tests.

A routine STD panel may include:
– Chlamydia
– Gonorrhea
– HIV 1 and 2
– Syphilis

A full-panel STD test may also include:
– Herpes (oral, genital)
– Hepatitis (A, B, C)

For general screening guidance on who should test and how often, refer to the CDC’s recommended STI screening guidelines.

How Much Will STD Testing Cost in Bakersfield, CA?

STD testing in Bakersfield usually ranges from free to about $250 for a full panel. If you have insurance, most plans cover preventive STD testing at 100% with no copay, though coverage can vary for office visits, symptoms, or expanded panels. If you are uninsured, clinics such as Planned Parenthood Bakersfield and Clinica Sierra Vista Community Health Center may offer sliding-scale fees, and some people may qualify for free testing. For a private option, at-home STD tests often cost around $169.

How Fast Will I Get My Test Results in Bakersfield, CA?

Most lab-based STD test results in Bakersfield are ready in one to three business days. Private labs and some clinics may also offer rapid HIV screening with same-day results. Chlamydia and gonorrhea results often take a few business days, even when collection is fast. Community clinics may take longer because of appointment demand and lab volume. Ask how results will be shared before you schedule your visit.

STI Statistics in Kern County, CA

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported STD in Kern County, with a rate of 658.8 per 100,000, according to the latest CDC STI statistics. That helps explain why routine screening remains part of standard sexual health care in Bakersfield, especially because common bacterial infections often do not cause symptoms.

Gonorrhea is the second most reported STD in the county at 159.1 per 100,000. Kern County also recorded 7,594 reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis in the latest year of CDC reporting, which shows how common routine testing has become in the area.

HIV screening is part of standard sexual health care in Kern County as well. The county had 2,426 people living with HIV in the latest available CDC data, and knowing your status through HIV screening can help you and your provider decide on next steps for prevention, follow-up testing, or treatment.



Cities Near Bakersfield, CA for STD Testing

Free STD Testing Centers in Bakersfield, CA

You can find free or low-cost STD testing in Bakersfield through community clinics and nonprofit health centers. These sites can be a good option if you are concerned about cost, insurance, privacy, or access to a regular provider. Many clinics offer confidential testing, and some also provide treatment or follow-up care.

Clinica Sierra Vista Community Health Center

  • Address: 301 Brundage Ln., Bakersfield, CA 93304
  • Number: (661) 323-6086
  • Hours: Not listed

Family Health Center

  • Address: 1611 1st St., Bakersfield, CA 93304
  • Number: (661) 336-5300
  • Hours:
    • Monday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Thursday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Friday: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Saturday: Closed
    • Sunday: Closed

Omni Family Health

  • Address: 1014 Calloway Dr., Bakersfield, CA 93312
  • Number: (661) 300-6664
  • Hours: Not listed

Omni Family Health | Oildale Health Center

  • Address: 525 Roberts Ln., Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • Number: (661) 392-7850
  • Hours: Not listed

Planned Parenthood Bakersfield

  • Address: 2633 16th St., Bakersfield, CA 93301
  • Number: (661) 634-1000
  • Hours:
    • Monday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    • Saturday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
    • Sunday: Closed