STD Testing in Los Angeles, CA

Wondering where you can get an STD test in Los Angeles and how the process works? With such a personal issue, you also want to be sure the testing clinic you go to will respect your privacy and provide accurate results, information, and support to get the help you might need.

Testing is critical as STDs continue to increase in the city, according to a report published by the County of Los Angeles Public Health. Overall, California has a high rate of STDs, which emphasizes the importance of testing and education to prevent STD spread. The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) STD Surveillance State Ranking lists the state as No. 15 for chlamydia cases, No. 18 for gonorrhea, No. 6 for congenital syphilis—and No. 4 for primary and secondary syphilis.

There are 126 testing centers in the city of Los Angeles, including many free or low-cost accessible options. For example, the To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Center offers bilingual services. STD Free Los Angeles is LGBTQ+ friendly. Following is a comprehensive listing of STD testing sites in Los Angeles and how testing works.

At-Home STD Testing

Testing for STDs at home is safe, convenient, and private. Performed regularly, it can help you stay healthy and avoid unknowingly transmitting STDs.

You have many options for at-home STD testing. The best at-home STD tests are FDA approved and evaluated for safety and accuracy with fast result turnaround times and support from health care professionals.

At-home STD testing kits should include instructions for collection and test registration, along with materials such as containers and swabs to collect and send your sample to the lab. Most at-home STD tests offer results in about five days through a secure online patient portal.

Choose the STD testing option you’re most comfortable with:

• Private clinic: Your primary care physician or OB-GYN can order STD tests.
• Local lab: Some labs offer direct testing without a doctor’s orders.
• Community clinic: A community clinic, such as city or county clinics, or nonprofit organizations may offer STD testing. Some offer STD tests for free or low cost.

At home: You can test for STDs at home using a kit and send your sample to a lab for analysis.

When Should I Get Tested for STDs?

If you think you might have an STD, it’s best to get tested. STDs don’t go away if you ignore them; they’ll just get worse and could grow into more serious health consequences. If left untreated, some STDs can lead to issues like infertility and more serious infections. You can also spread STDs to sexual partners if you have an untreated infection. Ask your health care provider for STD testing recommendations or follow CDC recommendations for STD testing.

What Will Be Tested in an STD Panel?

You can request specific STD tests or a full panel. An STD clinic can recommend tests based on your sexual health and symptoms. A routine STD panel may include:

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• HIV 1 and 2
• Syphilis

A full-panel STD test adds:

• Herpes (oral, genital)
• Hepatitis (A, B, C)

How Much Will STD Testing Cost in Los Angeles, CA?

The cost of an STD test will vary by location and test type. Some clinics, usually community or nonprofit clinics, offer free or low-cost testing. Labs, clinics, and at-home testing companies may accept insurance to cover or lower your cost of testing. Lab testing fees range from $8 to $150. At home tests cost between $35 and $175 per test.

Do I Need an Appointment for Testing in Los Angeles, CA?

Appointment policies vary by location, so call ahead or check the clinic website before you head in for a test. Some clinics or testing centers accept walk-ins or have same-day or next-day appointments.

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

Your STD test results time will depend on the test. Some clinics offer rapid HIV testing, which can offer results in less than 30 minutes. Bacterial STD testing (chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis) takes several days to get results, while viral STD testing (HPV, herpes, or HIV) results can take just one to two days.

Community-based STD testing organizations generate awareness and foster social change while providing access to testing and treatment.

If you’re concerned about visiting your regular doctor or can’t afford the cost of private testing, a community testing center may be able to help. While community testing centers may charge a fee for STD testing, it’s common to find free or low-cost testing from these resources:

T.H.E. Health and Wellness Center provides a wide array of medical services to promote sexual health and general wellness, including physical exams, pregnancy testing, free STD screenings, STD treatment, and rapid HIV testing with results ready in less than a minute. The center is open Monday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bilingual services are available, and the clinic offers a sliding fee discount for low-income patients.

3834 Western Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90062, 323-730-1920
Tohelpeveryone.org

The Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Jeffrey Goodman Special Care Clinic provides free, confidential, and comprehensive testing for HIV and other STDs. It specializes in serving members of the LGBT community, and its health staff includes mental health counselors, social services caseworkers, and a nutritionist. The Center provides two types of HIV testing: the rapid test, which provides results in less than a minute, and a more reliable test that can detect HIV as early as seven days after exposure. It also offers testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, with results available in a week. The clinic is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1625 N. Schrader Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90028, 323-993-7500
lalgbtcenter.org

The AHF Wellness Center on Western is a walk-in clinic that provides a wide array of wellness services, including blood testing, STD screenings, and treatment for diseases, such as chlamydia, HIV, gonorrhea, and syphilis, cryotherapy treatments, and referrals for HIV-positive clients. Generally, testing takes about 30 minutes, and results are available within three to seven days. If you test positive, you’ll get your results by phone. The center is open Monday to Friday 12p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

1811 N. Western Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90027, 855-783-2434
Freestdcheck.org

Hollywood Health Center of Los Angeles is operated by Planned Parenthood and offers a variety of sexual wellness services, including HIV testing and confidential STD testing, treatment, and prevention. In many cases, STD testing is provided via examination. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are tested via a urine sample, and counseling is provided if you test positive. HIV testing is via blood draw, and results for HIV testing are available in two days. The clinic also provides vaccines for HPV and hepatitis. English- and Spanish-speaking staff are available on-site, and interpretation by telephone is available if you speak other languages. Walk-in clinic hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

1014 1/2 N. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90029, 800-576-5544
Plannedparenthood.org

STD Free Los Angeles is an urgent care clinic that provides a variety of sexual health services and free STD testing if you qualify. This LGBT-friendly clinic features a certified testing center and lab that screens for chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, HPV, and syphilis. Visits typically last 15 minutes and can be scheduled over the phone or through the center’s online booking tool. The center is open Monday to Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

1435 S. Vermont Avenue #100A Los Angeles, CA 90006, (213) 261-4090
Stdfreelosangeles.com

• CDC | 2019 STD Surveillance Report | Last accessed September 2021
• CDC | Which STD Tests Should I Get? | Last accessed September 2021
• HHS | Your Rights Under HIPAA | Last accessed September 2021