COVID-19 Testing

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

Order more no-cost tests for your household (COVIDtests.gov)

Beginning September 25, every U.S. household can again place an order to receive four more free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.

Before you throw out "expired" tests: Check to see if your COVID-19 tests' expiration dates have been extended.

Order more tests

Pick up tests at no cost outside Public Health clinics

You can now pick up tests at no cost outside Public Health clinics in Grover Beach, Paso Robles, and San Luis Obispo during business hours. You may take two tests per person in your household at these sites. There are no requirements related to residency, income, insurance, or immigration status. If you need tests and are unable to get them at these sites, contact us online or call 805-781-5500.

Pop-up COVID-19 test distribution events

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

  • Thursday, October 5 from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. at Shandon High School, 101 S. 1st St., Shandon 
  • Tuesday, October 10 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Baywood Elementary School, 1330 9th St., Los Osos
  • Thursday, October 19 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Coast Unified School District Office, 1350 Main St., Cambria
  • Tuesday, October 24 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Dana Elementary School, 920 W. Tefft St., Nipomo 

See more details on our pop-up event flyers for September and October.

Get free tests via your insurance

If you have health insurance (including employer plans, Covered California plans, or Medi-Cal) your insurance is required to provide or reimburse you for 8 at-⁠home tests per month, per person on your plan. Some pharmacies (such as CVS 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. 

This requirement has expired nationally but was extended until November 11, 2023 in California. 

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. 

Report a positive at-home test

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

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. 

  • 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 | rapid testing only 

  • 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   

  • 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