Free COVID-19 Testing
Through partnerships with Arizona State University, the City of Tucson, Accu Reference Labs, and Paradigm Labs, Pima County has opened sites offering FREE COVID-19 testing to anybody in the community ages 5 or older, without a doctor's order, and even if you don't have symptoms. These sites offer the “PCR” test that can let you know if you have an active COVID-19 infection and may be able to spread the disease to others.
Due to the high demand for COVID-19 testing in our community, we encourage University of Arizona students and employees to schedule their free test through the University’s testing program.
Downtown Tucson Testing Center
Appointments and advanced registration required.
Free COVID-19 tests for anybody 5 years of age or older outside the Tucson Electric Power Headquarters building, 88 E. Broadway Blvd. Click below or call 855-452-2346 to schedule an appointment.
Open 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
(Note: this site will be closed Jan. 18 to observe the MLK holiday.)
***If you show up without an appointment, you may be turned away.***
Airport Testing Site Open
The Health Department and Paradigm Laboratories are offering free COVID-19 tests for anybody 5 years of age or older at Tucson International Airport, 6868 S. Plumer Ave. Testing will be by appointment only.
The Testing Center will be open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 855-452-2346 to schedule an appointment.
Kino Event Center
Click or tap image for larger view.
Kino Event Center is by appointment only.
The Health Department and Paradigm Laboratories are offering free COVID-19 tests for anybody 5 years of age or older at the Kino Event Center, 2805 E. Ajo Way. Testing will be by appointment only.
The Testing Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m, Monday through Saturday. Call 855-452-2346 to schedule an appointment.
(Note: this site will be closed Jan. 18 to observe the MLK holiday.)
***No walk-in tests will be conducted. Everyone must have an appointment.***
More Information for the Kino Event Center and your test results.
You do not need a doctor’s order to get the test. Individuals arriving for their test time should wait in their vehicle in the parking lot until their testing time, or outside the event center in the shade away from others if arriving by public transportation or ride sharing. Anyone more than 10 minutes late for the scheduled appointment will have to reschedule.
Retrieving Your Test Results
- Log in to the patient portal to view, print, or save your results.
- Until you get your results, if you have symptoms, you must stay home. All people should wear a face mask, wash your hands often and practice physical distancing.
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- If you have trouble accessing the portal, call 855-452-2346 for assistance.
Morris K. Udall Center
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Morris K. Udall Center is by appointment only.
The City of Tucson, the Health Department and Paradigm Laboratories are offering free COVID-19 tests for anybody 5 or older at the Udall Center, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Rd. Testing will be by appointment only.
The Testing Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, Tuesday through Sunday. Call 855-452-2346 to schedule an appointment.
***No walk-in tests will be conducted, everyone must have an appointment.***
More Information for the Morris K. Udall Center and your test results.
You do not need a doctor’s order to get the test. Individuals arriving for their test time should wait in their vehicle in the parking lot until their testing time, or outside the event center in the shade away from others if arriving by public transportation or ride sharing. Anyone more than 10 minutes late for the scheduled appointment will have to reschedule.
Your Test Results
Ellie Towne Center
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Ellie Towne Center is by appointment only.
How to Register:
- Click the blue "Schedule my test" button below.
- Scroll about halfway down the page to the Upcoming Events and click the Red "Pre-register" button for the Ellie Towne Community Center.
- The Agency Code is SALIVATEST. You will be asked to use that when you complete your registration.
- Create a username (email address) and password.
Testing dates/hours are Wednesdays, Fridays 7 a.m.-noon, and Sundays 7 a.m.-1 p.m.
(Note: this site will be closed Jan. 18 to observe the MLK holiday.)
More Information and important reminders for the Ellie Towne Center.
Staff located at the Ellie Towne Center will provide assistance for anyone who has trouble registering ahead of time.
Important Reminders:
- You must bring a photo ID and the QR code in your confirmation.
- Make sure you are well hydrated at least 30 minutes ahead of your appointment time.
- At 30 minutes prior to your appointment, rinse your mouth with plain water for 20-30 seconds and then spit out the water.
- Please do not eat, drink (even water), smoke, vape, or chew gum for at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment.
- When you arrive at the site, wear a protective face covering - either a cloth or surgical mask.
- To cancel or reschedule your appointment, log in to your account on the Registration Portal.
El Pueblo Center Testing
The City of Tucson and El Rio Health continue to offer free COVID-19 tests at the El Pueblo Center, 101 W. Irvington Rd., Building 9.
Testing hours:
- Mondays. 5-8 p.m.
- Tuesdays, 1-4 p.m.
- Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m.
- Thursdays, 1-4 p.m.
- Fridays, 1-4 p.m.
- Saturdays, 7 a.m.-noon.
(Note: this site will be closed Jan. 18 to observe the MLK holiday.)
Test registration
Call El Rio Health at 520-670-3909 and schedule an appointment.
Staff available to schedule appointments:
- Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Saturday, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
- A doctor’s order is not needed to get the test, but you must make an appointment.
City of Tucson Walk-up Testing
These testing locations, offered by the City of Tucson, give saliva tests administered by Rescue Me Wellness.
Results in 3-5 days
Walk-up ONLY, no appointment
Questions? Call Rescue Me Wellness at (520) 433-8000
Food City
3923 Flowing Wells Rd. |
Mondays |
5 - 7 p.m. |
Reid Park
900 S. Randolph Way |
Fridays |
5 - 7 p.m. |
Sentinel Building
310Commerce Park Loop |
Sundays |
11 a.m. - 1 p.m. |
Community Pop-up Testing Centers
Walk-up ONLY, no appointment
See a map of these temporary locations
Results available in 3-5 business days.
Cardenas Market
902 W. Irvington Rd |
Friday, January 29
2 - 6 p.m. |
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
850 N. 11th Ave. |
Saturday February 13
8 a.m.-1 p.m. |
Review your results here, or find additional information on receiving results.
Drive Through Testing
Pima College - West
2202 W. Anklam Rd.
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Mondays, excepting national holidays.
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9 a.m.-noon
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Pima College - Desert Vista
5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz |
Wednesdays, excepting national holidays.
|
9 a.m.-noon |
Pima College - East
8181 E. Irvington Rd. |
Fridays, excepting national holidays.
|
9 a.m.-noon |
Drive Thru Testing is by appointment only.
(Note: this site will be open on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18.)
Schedule your appointment using these steps, prior to arriving at the test site.
- Register for appointment with your cell phone, tablet, laptop or desktop computer.
- Log-in to the Registration Portal.
- Enter the agency code: SALIVATEST
- Once logged-in to the portal, click on Appointments to request an available appointment time.
- Arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
- If you have any scheduling issues, please email COVID19info@asu.edu.
Important Guidelines
- Each person will need an email, families cannot share an email.
- Each participant must be at least the age of 5.
- You must wear a protective face covering - either cloth or surgical mask.
- Bring the QR code you receive after scheduling your test appointment.
- 30 minutes before your appointment, rinse your mouth with plain water for 20-30 seconds and then spit the water out.
- Do not eat, drink (even water), smoke, vape, or chew gum for 30 minutes prior to your appointment time (any of these factors may cause an invalid test and/or your test may be rejected by clinical personnel at site collection.) Tip: Staying well hydrated by drinking water the day before and up to 30 minutes prior to your test will speed your saliva collection process.
- Results will be available via the portal approximately 48 hours after your testing time.
Someone will be available at the COVID-19 testing site to address questions you have pertaining to the sample collection process.
Questions About Testing
People who are mildly ill with symptoms of COVID-19 and can recover at home should do so. Anyone with symptoms of respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath, fever of 100.4°F or above) should stay home and stay away from others who live in your home to the greatest extent possible.
If your symptoms are mild, please contact your healthcare provider.
If you develop emergency warning signs of a respiratory infection, get medical attention immediately.
Emergency warning signs include, but are not limited to:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to wake
- Bluish lips or face
If you have a medical emergency call 9-1-1. Notify the operator that you have or think you might have COVID-19 so first responders can take proper precautions when they arrive.
If your clinician determines you should be tested for COVID-19, they may use the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory guidance to determine if your sample should go through the State Public Health Laboratory or to a commercial laboratory. The turnaround time varies at each lab (typically 3-5 days). Your clinician will get your result and share them with you.