COVID-19 Testing in Rhode Island

Who should get a COVID-19 test?

You should get tested for COVID-19 if:

  • You have symptoms of COVID-19. Even if you’re symptoms are mild and you’re up to date with your COVID-19 vaccinations, you should isolate at home and get tested.
  • You’ve been identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive. Get tested 5 days after the last time you were with that person, even if you don’t have symptoms.

If you don't have symptoms and haven’t recently been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, you don’t need to get tested for COVID-19.

How can I get a COVID-19 test?

There are several ways to get tested for COVID-19 in Rhode Island. Click here to find the test site closest to you.

Primary care offices

Call your primary care provider or child’s pediatrician. Ask if they offer COVID-19 testing in their office or can order a test through a laboratory.

State-run test sites

If you or a dependent child have symptoms of COVID-19 or are a close contact of someone who tested positive, you may schedule a free test at a State-run COVID-19 test site. Schedule online at portal.ri.gov or by calling 401-222-8022.

Test yourself for COVID-19

Kits that you can use to test yourself for COVID-19 are available through federal distribution programs, local pharmacies, and online retailers. All Rhode Islanders can order free COVID-19 self-test kits directly from the federal government. To learn more, visit covidtests.gov.

To report your self-test result to RIDOH, visit portal.ri.gov/s/selftest.

How can I schedule a COVID-19 test at a State-run test site?

Schedule online: Click here to self-schedule a free COVID-19 test on portal.ri.gov. Anyone over the age of 16 must create their own account. You must have a valid email address to use this online portal.

Schedule by phone: You can schedule a COVID-19 test at a State-run test site by calling RIDOH's COVID-19 Info Line at 401-222-8022. You can also call 211 for help scheduling in multiple languages. 

When you schedule your appointment, provide a valid cell phone number or email address and confirm your personal details to ensure you get your test result as soon as it’s ready.

Who can get tested at a State-run site?

Rhode Islanders who have symptoms of COVID-19 or are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19 can get tested at a State-run site. You do not need insurance or identification to get tested at a State-run site. 

What type of test will I get at a State-run test site?

Anyone who gets tested at a State-run site will get swabbed twice to collect two specimens. The first swab is a rapid antigen test that is processed at the test site. The second swab is a PCR test that is sent to a lab.

  • If your rapid antigen test result is positive, your confirmatory PCR test won’t be sent to the lab. You have COVID-19 and should isolate at home.   
  • If your rapid antigen test result is negative, your PCR test will be sent to the lab to confirm your rapid result. You should isolate at home while you wait for your PCR test result.  

Learn more about the different types of COVID-19 tests and swabs. 

How will I get my test result?

Results from any State-run test sites can be accessed on portal.ri.gov/results.​​​​​​ You will get a text or email notification when your result is ready in the portal. Learn more about COVID-19 test results. 

Federal programs are available to support access to COVID-19 testing for people without health insurance.

  • Increasing Community Access to Testing (ICATT) for COVID-19: CDC’s ICATT program can help you find where to get a free COVID-19 laboratory test. These tests can tell if you have a current COVID-19 infection. You’ll get a result usually within 24–72 hours after you get tested.
  • Test To Treat Program: Through this program, people are able to get tested and – if they are positive and treatments are appropriate for them – get a prescription from a healthcare provider, and have their prescription filled all at one location. A Test to Treat locator is available to help find participating sites. Some sites on the locator can only fill a prescription, and require that a healthcare provider evaluate and prescribe you COVID-19 medication just as they normally would. A call center is also available at 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) to get help in English, Spanish, and more than 150 other languages – 8 am to midnight, 7 days a week. 
  • Self-test distribution program: You can order free COVID-19 tests through the mail by visiting covidtests.gov. You won’t be asked for insurance information or payment information when you order your free tests.

There are places in Rhode Island that test uninsured individuals for free. If you are uninsured and don’t know whether a site offers free testing, please call the site to confirm before making an appointment.

  • State-run test sites: If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are a close contact of someone who tested positive, make an appointment at a State-run test site. Schedule your appointment online at portal.ri.gov or by calling 401-222-8022. You aren’t required to provide proof of insurance when scheduling your test or when you arrive at the site for your appointment.
  • Local pharmacies and clinics: Some local pharmacies and clinics offer free COVID-19 testing to people who don’t have health insurance. These locations may only test you if have symptoms or are a close contact of someone who tested positive.  If you don’t have insurance, the pharmacy or clinic will submit the cost of your test to a federal program for the uninsured.

About COVID-19 self-tests

Kits that you can use to test yourself for COVID-19 are available through federal distributions, local pharmacies, and online retailers. Sometimes a COVID-19 self-test is also called an at-home test or an over-the counter (OTC) test. 

Tests performed by trained staff at a testing site or pharmacy, or by a healthcare provider may provide more accurate results. But using a self-test is an option if you cannot get to a testing site. 

All Rhode Islanders can order free COVID-19 self-test kits directly from the federal government. To learn more, visit covidtests.gov. 

To report your self-test result to RIDOH, visit portal.ri.gov/s/selftest. 

For more information about testing yourself for COVID-19, visit this web page from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

When to use a COVID-19 self-test

You may consider using a self-test:

  • If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and can’t get to a test site. Stay home and away from others if you’re sick.
  • If you may have been exposed to COVID-19 and can’t get to a testing site.
  • Before and after large gatherings, especially if you're gathering indoors with anyone who is unvaccinated, immunocompromised, or at risk of severe illness.
  • Before and after domestic travel.
    • Self-tests are an option if you plan to travel within the United States (US) or US territories and are not required to provide documentation of a negative test result.
    • If you are not fully vaccinated and must travel, you should test yourself 1-3 days before your trip and 3-5 days after your trip. For more information, visit covid.ri.gov/travel.

When not to use a COVID-19 self-test

  • If you are traveling outside of the US or US territories, check the COVID-19 testing requirements for entry to that country.  Most countries and international airlines do not accept self-tests as proof of a negative COVID-19 test result. If you do not follow your destination’s requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the US.
  • If you are traveling to the US or US territories from another country, you must get a COVID-19 viral test (regardless of vaccination status or citizenship) no more than 1 day before travel by air into the US or US territories. You must show your negative result to the airline before you board your flight. Self-tests are only accepted for international travel into the US under very specific conditions.

Self-test results

You are not required to report self-test results to RIDOH. If you would like to submit your self-test result to RIDOH, you can do so using this web form.

RIDOH will not perform a case investigation or contact tracing when a self-test result is reported.

RIDOH cannot provide services, supports, or referrals for individuals who need assistance during isolation or quarantine based on a self-test result.

  • RIDOH cannot provide a letter for missed work or school due to isolation based on a positive self-test result. If a letter is required, get another test at a testing site or by a healthcare provider.
  • RIDOH cannot provide documentation of infection within the past 90 days based on a positive self-test result.

For information on what to do after getting a negative or positive result on a COVID-19 self-test, visit covid.ri.gov/testresults.

People who have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 must get tested whether or not they’re fully vaccinated. Close contact means you’ve been within 6 feet of someone with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period. Get tested 5 days after the last time you were with that person, even if you don’t have symptoms

Whether or not you're vaccinated, watch for symptoms for 14 days after close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. If you develop any COVID-19 symptoms, isolate at home, call your healthcare provider, and get tested.

Learn about close contact quarantine requirements.