Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Testing for COVID-19 is a key tool to manage the virus's spread in New Jersey. Testing allows individuals to take informed steps—staying home to prevent spreading the virus or seeking timely treatment to reduce severe illness risk. If you feel unwell or have been exposed, please get tested to protect yourself and those around you
This page provides details on how to get tested in New Jersey.
Key Takeaways:
- Testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower your chances of spreading the virus to others.
- Early detection keeps high-risk individuals safer from severe illness.
- PCR tests provide highly accurate results within 24-48 hours, while Antigen tests offer quicker results within 15-30 minutes.
- At-home tests are available online, in pharmacies, and retail stores. Some health insurance plans reimburse the cost of these self-tests—check with your insurer for details.
- Many community-based locations, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and local health departments, offer low- or no-cost testing, even for those without insurance.
- If you have a disability, the Disability Information and Access Line can assist in finding a testing location or accessing a test.
On this page
Getting Tested in New Jersey
While New Jersey no longer maintains a statewide test locator, several resources can help you find COVID-19 testing nearby:
- The CDC maintains a website that allows you to find free testing near you .
- Pharmacies with testing and medications in the federal Test-to-Treat program .
- FQHCs provide care for those who are uninsured and do not have the ability to pay. Visit the FQHC Finder to locate one near you.
- Your local health department may also be able to assist you in finding testing.
Home test kits are available in pharmacies, grocery stores, and other retail locations.
Before discarding an "expired" test, check if its expiration date has been extended. Find updated expiration information here .
Medicaid enrollees may still qualify for free at-home tests. For details on your coverage, contact your Medicaid provider or insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Prevent Spread
Testing helps identify and isolate cases, preventing further spread.
Protect Vulnerable Populations
Early detection helps people at higher risk of getting severely sick.
Track and Control Outbreaks
Data from testing helps public health officials track the virus and manage outbreaks.
It's a good idea to get tested if:
- You have COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).
- You have been in close contact with someone who tested positive recently.
- It's recommended by a health care provider or public health official.
PCR (Polymerase chain reaction)
- The PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test detects the virus's genetic material.
- It is highly accurate and considered the gold standard.
- Results are usually available within 24-48 hours.
Antigen
- Antigen tests detect specific proteins from the virus.
- They offer quick results but slightly less accurate than PCR tests.
- Results are often available within 15-30 minutes.
If you test positive or develop symptoms, follow these steps to prevent spreading the virus:
- Stay home and avoid contact with others, including household members.
- Resume normal activities only after 24 hours without fever (without fever-reducing medication) and when symptoms have improved.
- Wear a mask and take extra precautions for 5 days after returning to activities.
- Consider typical contagious periods: COVID-19 (5-10 days), flu (5-7 days), and RSV (3-8 days). Immunocompromised individuals may remain contagious for longer.
- During outbreaks, especially in workplaces or communal housing, follow extended isolation guidelines to protect others.
Follow CDC guidance for more information.
A negative result means that COVID-19 was not detected in either a PCR or Antigen test. This probably means that the person is not infected with COVID-19. However, false negatives can occur for a few reasons, including people being tested too soon after exposure to the virus.
If you test negative and have no symptoms, continue to follow public health guidelines to prevent infection.