Free and confidential STD testing in Tarrant County 

Did you know that half of adults get a sexually transmitted disease (STD) by the time they’re 25 years old? And considering that less than 12 percent of people get tested, many end up spreading STDs to their partners without even knowing it.

If left untreated, sexually transmitted diseases can cause infertility, blindness, and cancer – they can even be fatal. To learn all about different kinds of STDs and how they can be treated, visit our STD Information page.

Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) Adult Health Services offers free or low-cost STD testing for anyone who wants it. This testing is confidential and usually offered on a walk-in basis at locations other than the department's primary clinics.

October 2021 testing dates, locations and times:

Who needs STD testing?  

If you’re sexually active, especially if you have a new partner or you have multiple partners, you should go in for routine STD testing at least once a year. STD testing is not a regular part of a routine visit to a primary care physician or gynecologist.

You should make an appointment for STD testing right away if you have any of the following:

• Current symptoms of a sexually transmitted disease
• A recent diagnosis of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or HIV at another clinic, but not able to get treatment yet
• A sexual partner who recently tested positive for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea or chlamydia

Women who are pregnant should also be tested for syphilis and HIV starting early in pregnancy. Testing needs to be repeated as recommended by a health provider to protect the health of mothers and their infants.

 How often should you get tested?  

The CDC recommends STD testing for the following age groups and demographics:

• ·All adults and adolescents ages 13 to 64 should be tested for HIV at least once.
• Women younger than 25 years who are sexually active should get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.
• Women 25 years and older with risk factors (new or multiple sex partners or a sex partner who has an STD) should also get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year.
  
• Gay and bisexual men, who are sexually active, should get tested at least once a year for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Those who have multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently for STDs (i.e., at 3- to 6-month intervals).
• Gay and bisexual men, who are sexually active, may also benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months).
  
•  Anyone who has unprotected sex or shares injection drug equipment (needles, syringes, cookers) should get tested for HIV at least once a year.

 Frequently asked questions 

Why should I get tested for STDs?  

You can have an STD and not have any symptoms. Getting tested is the only way to know your STD status. STD testing and treatment can protect you from long-term medical problems and prevent you from spreading an infection to others.

How do I make an appointment?  

To schedule an appointment, call the clinic of your choice to availability. Our Fort Worth location begins accepting calls at 7:45 a.m.   

What do I need to bring to my appointment?  

At your clinic appointment, please bring:

• Photo identification (ID)
• Proof of income
• Payment (cash, check, credit or debit card)
• A completed consent form (English, Spanish)* Available at the clinic or testing location
  

What can I be tested for?  

Clients can get FREE testing for syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HIV.

What should I do if I test positive for an STD?  

• Take all medicine as directed.
• Refer your sex partner(s) to the STD/HIV (Adult Health Services) clinic for testing and treatment.
• If symptoms re-occur, contact the clinic immediately.
• To reduce the risk of re-infection, use a condom every time you have sex.
• Return to the clinic for follow-up examinations as directed.

How much does STD testing cost?  

Tarrant County Adult Health Services offers syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV testing for free.  

How is the test performed?  

Some STD tests check for a single STD, such as an HIV test. Other tests check for a variety of STDs.

There is no single test that can screen for all STDs. However, many STD tests often include:

• Urine samples
• Blood sample (used to test for HIV and syphilis)

All testing services are provided by professionals who are specially trained in STD sample collection. He or she will walk you through the process before it begins, answering any questions and addressing any concerns you may have.

How long does testing take?  

Testing usually takes about 30 minutes. However, wait times may vary and you should plan for some extra time.

Will I have to answer a lot of embarrassing personal questions?  

We only gather the minimum information necessary and required to comply with regulations and to help determine the right kind of test to perform.

How long does it take to get the results from an STD test? 

You will receive your lab results as soon as they are available, usually within 3-7 business days.

You will be given a phone number to get your test results by telephone. We can only give results to clients. Test results are not given over the phone to friends or family members.

 For more information:  

Call 817-321-4800 or e-mail: PHOutreach@tarrantcounty.com