COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 community testing sites in SLO County have closed. Find detail below about free at-home testing options and local in-person testing and treatment options. 

Pop-up COVID-19 test distribution events

Come pick up FREE COVID-19 rapid test kits for you and your household:

  • Tuesday, March 28 4:00-6:00 p.m.
    Dana Elementary School 920 W. Tefft St., Nipomo
  • Thursday, March 30 3:00-4:00 p.m.
    Creston Community Church 5170 O'Donovan Rd., Creston
  • Tuesday, April 4 3:00-4:00 p.m.
    Oak Hill Market 2150 Heritage Loop Rd., Paso Robles
  • Thursday, April 6 4:00-6:00 p.m.
    Shandon High School 101 S 1st St., Shandon

See flyer for details.

Order free tests by mail from the USPS

Every household in the U.S. is eligible to order a fourth round of free at-home COVID-19 tests. Visit covidtests.gov to request your free tests. As a reminder, the expiration date has been extended for many rapid tests: if you have “expired” tests at home, check to see if their expiration date has been extended. 

Get free tests via your insurance

If you have health insurance (including employer plans, Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California, or others) your insurance is required to provide or reimburse you for 8 at-⁠home tests per month, per person on your plan. Many pharmaices (such as CVS, ExpressScripts, Rite-Aid and Walgreens) offer simple tools where you can enter insurance information and receive your tests at no cost. If you have Medi-Cal coverage, use this form to get free tests at a pharmacy. 

Don't have insurance? Get tests at no cost

If you don't have health insurance, contact us online or call 805-781-5500  to get rapid tests at no cost.

Report a positive at-home test

Test positive from an at-home (rapid) COVID test? Report your result here.

Find a nearby testing provider 

COVID-19 testing is available from providers across SLO County. These facilities may charge co-pays or fees, so be sure to call ahead to confirm hours and costs. See a list of testing providers. 

Find a nearby Test to Treat site

Test to Treat provides testing and prompt treatment for people age 50 and older and those with common health conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19. If you experience symptoms, don't delay: this treatment must be started within five days of first symptoms. See a list of local Test to Treat sites. 

Test positive at home? Get treatment services via telehealth

Free COVID-19 telehealth appointments are available online if you do not have health insurance or are not able to reach your healthcare provider within 24 hours after testing positive. This program from the State of California is for people who have tested positive and have symptoms. To make an appointment, visit sesamecare.com/covidca or call 833-686-5051. See more detail. 

Healthcare providers, report a COVID-19 case

If you are a healthcare provider, see how to report a positive test from a laboratory or clinic. 

Test to Treat Locations in SLO County 

Test to Treat services include:

  • Rapid testing for COVID-19
  • Medical consultation as appropriate, and
  • Paxlovid anti-viral pills, if indicated.

Test to Treat provides prompt treatment for people age 50 and older and those with common health conditions that increase the risk for severe COVID-19. If you experience symptoms, don't delay: this treatment must be started within five days of first symptoms.

Test to Treat locations in SLO County include:

See all locations

Hours and costs vary by location. It is a good idea to call ahead to confirm hours and ask about cost. Pharmacy and urgent care sites generally charge a fee for testing and medical consultation, and most will bill insurance for this cost. 

When seeking Test to Treat services at any site, please bring a list of any medications you currently take.

The Test to Treat Treatment Locator Tool helps locate COVID-19 treatment nationwide. 

Treatment Locator Tool

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Free COVID-19 Telehealth Appointments 

Free COVID-19 telehealth appointments are available online if you do not have health insurance or are not able to reach your healthcare provider within 24 hours after testing positive. This service is intended to provide COVID-positive patients who have symptoms with timely care and treatment. 

During the appointment, the health care provider will evaluate your situation and may recommend treatment with Paxlovid, an antiviral medication commonly used to treat COVID-19. If prescribed through this program, treatment can be picked up from a pharmacy. 

The State has partnered with Sesame Care, a telehealth provider, to provide Californians with quick, easy COVID-19 telehealth appointments for free. More than 15 languages are available, including Spanish and Mixteco. 

Who is this program for? 

  • Californians who are unable to connect with a health care provider within 24 hours of their positive test result: 

  • Have a positive COVID-19 test result from any kind of COVID-19 test, AND 

  • Are experiencing symptoms 

How to make an appointment 

  • Have an ID on hand (a driver's license or ID issued by a foreign consulate are acceptable) 

  • Call 833-686-5051, or

  • Visit sesamecare.com/covidca and: 

    1. Enter the city that you reside in (or the nearest city to you) on the top of the screen  

    2. See the list of available providers and appointment times 

    3. Make a selection and follow a few easy steps to confirm an appointment 

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Other Testing Locations

COVID-19 testing is available from other providers. These facilities may charge co-pays or fees, so be sure to call ahead to confirm hours and costs. 

  • Akeso Occupational Health - Templeton | 350 Posada Ln., Templeton, CA 93465 | 805-434-3699 | PCR testing for work-related purposes only (referral from employer)
  • Carbon Health Urgent Care - Atascadero | 7330 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422 | 805-703-2501 | PCR testing for any established & non-established patients (only if symptomatic or exposed); rapid tests for anyone
  • Carbon Health Urgent Care - Paso Robles | 500 1st St., Paso Robles, CA 93446 | 805-226-4222 | PCR testing for any established & non-established patients (only if symptomatic or exposed); rapid tests for anyone

  • Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHC) – Arroyo Grande Walk-In Clinic | 1205 E Grand Ave, Ste H, Arroyo Grande CA | (805) 994-2300 | PCR and rapid testing for established & non-established patients | Current CHC patients can also get tested at other select CHC locations – call 866- 614-4636 to check for your nearest clinic

  • Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHC) – CHC Paso - Los Robles | 2800 Riverside Ave Suite 101 | (805) 238-7250 | PCR and rapid testing for established & non-established patients | Current CHC patients can also get tested at other select CHC locations – call 866- 614-4636 to check for your nearest clinic

  • Cottage Urgent Care - San Luis Obispo - Marigold Center | 3970 Broad St. Ste. 2, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 | 805-762-4996 | PCR and rapid testing for established & non-established patients 

  • CVS - Nipomo | 610 W. Tefft St., Nipomo, CA 93444 | 805-929-2740

  • Dignity Health Urgent Care - Atascadero | 5920 W. Mall, Atascadero, CA 93422 | 805-461-2131 | PCR testing for established & non-established patients (only if symptomatic)

  • Dignity Health Urgent Care - Orcutt | 1102 E. Clark Ave. Ste. 120A, Santa Maria, CA 93455 | 805-332-8185 | PCR testing for established & non-established patients (only if symptomatic)     

  • Dignity Health Urgent Care - Pismo Beach | 877 N. Oak Park Blvd., Pismo Beach, CA 93449 | 805-474-8450 | PCR testing for established & non-established patients (only if symptomatic) 

  • Dignity Health Urgent Care - Santa Maria | 2271 S. Depot St., Santa Maria, CA 93455 | 805-922-0561 | PCR testing for established & non-established patients (only if symptomatic)    

  • Family & Industrial Medical Center | 47 Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | 805-542-9596 | PCR testing for established & non-established patients (only if symptomatic); rapid testing for anyone    

  • Med Stop Urgent Care | 283 Madonna Rd., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | 805-549-8880 | PCR and rapid testing for anyone  

  • Primary Care Partners SLO | 84 Santa Rosa St., San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 | 805-591-4727 | PCR and rapid testing for established patients   

  • Rite Aid - Atascadero | 7025 El Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422 | 805-466-8722

  • The Lapidus Clinic and Med Spa | 6685 Bay Laurel Pl. A, Avila Beach, CA 93424 | 805-540-3071 | PCR and rapid testing for established patients  

  • Urgent Care of Atascadero | 9700 El Camino Real #100, Atascadero, CA 93422 | 805-466-1330 | PCR and rapid testing for anyone   

  • Urgent Care of Morro Bay | 783 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay, CA 93442 | 805-771-0108 | PCR and rapid testing for anyone  

  • Urgent Care of Pismo Beach | 2 James Way Ste. 214, Pismo Beach, CA 93449 | 805-295-6594 | PCR and rapid testing for anyone 

See other testing sites near you