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How often should I get tested for HIV?

Answered in plain language, anchored to CDC, HIV.gov, and NIH.

Last reviewed:

Health information — Educational information, not medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your care and treatment decisions.
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CDC recommends at least one HIV test for everyone aged 13–64, with repeat testing for ongoing risk and during every pregnancy. Some sexually active gay and bisexual men benefit from testing every three to six months. PrEP requires medication-specific testing: at least every three months for oral PrEP, with cabotegravir injection visits, or with six-monthly lenacapavir visits. A recent possible exposure needs prompt assessment rather than waiting for a routine test.[1][2][5][8][17]

The baseline: at least once for everyone 13 to 64

CDC's recommendation is simple and universal: everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV at least once, and people with certain risk factors should get tested more often[1]. For clinicians, CDC frames the same thing as routine care — test all patients aged 13 to 64 at least once, and screen patients with ongoing risk factors at least annually[2].

Opt-out testing means a provider tells you an HIV test is planned and that you may decline; it should not happen without that information. Ages outside a routine screening band are not a cutoff for care. USPSTF also recommends screening younger adolescents and adults over 65 when risk is increased.[9][2][3]

Two points worth hearing without alarm. HIV.gov notes that about 1 in 8 people in the United States who have HIV do not know it, and that some people who test positive were not aware of any risk. Even in a monogamous relationship, HIV.gov suggests finding out for sure whether you or your partner has HIV[3]. Testing is information, not a verdict.

At least once a year — and every 3 to 6 months for some

CDC recommends testing at least once a year if any of the following apply to you: you are a man who has had sex with another man; you have had anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV; you have had more than one sex partner since your last HIV test; you have shared needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment such as cookers; you have exchanged sex for drugs or money; you have been diagnosed with or treated for another sexually transmitted infection, hepatitis, or tuberculosis; or you have had sex with someone to whom any of those apply, or whose sexual history you don't know[1].

CDC adds that sexually active gay or bisexual men may benefit from more frequent testing — every 3 to 6 months[1]. Clinically, CDC frames re-testing as continuing for as long as risk factors are ongoing, rather than as a one-time decision[2].

Note what these lists are not: they aren't a description of who you are. Consumer guidance from the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion states the trigger plainly as behavior — there are certain behaviors that can raise your risk of HIV — and then lists the same annual triggers, adding that men who have sex with men may need testing more often than once a year, like every 3 to 6 months[4].

After a possible exposure, seek PEP assessment immediately. If indicated, treatment should start as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours and no later than 72 hours, for 28 days. A negative test immediately after exposure cannot exclude a new infection. A clinician will arrange the appropriate tests and follow-up; do not delay PEP while waiting for laboratory results.[17][3]

Every pregnancy

CDC's guidance is unambiguous: pregnant people should get tested for HIV during each pregnancy, and testing pregnant people and treating those who have HIV is a highly effective way to prevent babies being born with HIV[1].

Prenatal HIV testing allows treatment and specialist care to begin promptly when needed. Testing alone does not prevent transmission: effective ART, appropriate delivery planning and infant care are the interventions that make an HIV-negative outcome much more likely.[18][3][4]

On PrEP: testing depends on the medication

PrEP comes with its own testing rhythm, because PrEP is only prescribed to people who do not have HIV. On daily oral PrEP, CDC's clinical guidance calls for repeating HIV antigen/antibody and HIV-1 RNA testing and assessing for signs or symptoms of acute HIV at least every 3 months. Prescriptions or refill authorizations are written for no more than 90 days — that is, until the next HIV test[5].

For cabotegravir (Apretude), HIV testing occurs one month after the first injection and then at least every two months with injections. For lenacapavir (Yeztugo), testing is required before starting and at each six-month maintenance visit. CDC recommends a blood antigen/antibody test within seven days before the first lenacapavir dose and confirmatory RNA testing if available; a pending RNA result should not delay an otherwise appropriate first injection. Symptoms suggesting acute HIV need immediate assessment, including RNA testing.[8][5]

Kidney monitoring schedules apply to oral tenofovir-based PrEP: at least yearly for everyone continuing it, and at least every six months for people aged 50 or older or with starting estimated creatinine clearance below 90 mL/min. Other kidney risks can require closer checks. STI screening depends on the medication, population and exposure sites; it may be needed between long-acting injection visits.[8][5]

Why you'll see 13–64 and 15–65 — and what testing costs

CDC’s routine screening band is ages 13–64; USPSTF’s is 15–65. Both support testing beyond a simple age-based list when exposure or clinical circumstances warrant it, and USPSTF recommends screening younger and older people at increased risk. Pregnancy is a separate indication for screening at any age.[9][1][4][3]

Testing is available through health departments, clinics and other providers, with free testing at some locations. Marketplace plans and many other plans cover recommended HIV screening without cost-sharing, generally with an in-network provider; coverage conditions still apply. Medicare has routine HIV screening benefits and separate PrEP-related testing benefits. Ask the provider and plan about your specific coverage before a nonurgent appointment.[14][15][4]

FDA-approved rapid self-tests include oral-fluid OraQuick and fingerstick-blood INSTI. Follow the timing and interpretation instructions for the specific kit; they do not all use the same read time. A reactive result needs confirmatory testing, and a negative self-test may miss a recent infection. Home testing should not delay urgent PEP assessment.[12][13][17][3]

Florida: prenatal testing and help paying for PrEP

Florida law requires prenatal providers to arrange testing while informing patients of the tests and their right to refuse. A signed objection must be recorded, and testing must not occur after refusal. Rule 64D-3.042 calls for HIV testing at the initial prenatal exam and at 28–32 weeks; documented HIV infection does not need repeat diagnostic testing during that pregnancy. It also specifies testing before discharge for people presenting at delivery or within 30 days postpartum without prenatal-care or testing records, or without testing after week 27.[10][11][6][7]

Florida DOH lists TOPWA outreach programs in eight counties: Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas and St. Lucie. The program helps eligible pregnant people connect with prenatal care, HIV testing and other services. The state’s 2023 report described PrEP services at all 67 county health departments and a drug-assistance program covering medication and labs. Confirm current eligibility, medication options, appointments and charges with the provider; Florida DOH also offers a guide to insurance and assistance programs.[16][7][6]

Related questions

How often should I get tested for HIV?

CDC recommends at least one test at ages 13–64 and at least annual testing with ongoing risk. Some sexually active gay and bisexual men benefit from three-to-six-month testing. Test during every pregnancy, and seek prompt assessment after a possible recent exposure.[1][2][17]

How often do I test if I'm on PrEP?

Oral PrEP requires HIV testing at least every three months. Cabotegravir requires testing at the month-one visit and then at least every two months with injections. Lenacapavir requires testing before initiation and at six-month maintenance visits; symptoms or a suspected exposure need assessment between scheduled visits.[5][8]

Why do some sources say ages 15 to 65 instead of 13 to 64?

CDC recommends routine screening at ages 13–64; USPSTF uses 15–65. USPSTF also recommends screening younger and older people at increased risk and everyone who is pregnant. These routine age bands do not mean HIV testing is unavailable outside them.[1][9]

Do I have to pay for an HIV test?

Free testing is available at some community sites and clinics. Many insurance plans cover recommended screening without cost-sharing, usually with an in-network provider, but conditions vary. Medicare also has screening benefits. Check the provider’s and plan’s rules for your situation.[4][14][15]

How long does HIV take to show up on a test?
Window periods for antigen/antibody, antibody, and nucleic acid tests.
HIV Testing
Test types, self-tests, window periods, and what results mean.
What are my PrEP options in 2026?
Daily pills, every-2-month injections, and twice-yearly options.
Find Testing & Care
Locate testing sites, PrEP providers, and Ryan White clinics near you.
What are my HIV risk factors?
What actually raises risk — and how it shapes your testing schedule.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by the RiseUpToHIV team. Educational content only — not medical advice.

References & Sources

  1. CDC — Getting Tested for HIV. The 13–64 baseline, annual testing triggers, the 3-to-6-month interval, and testing in every pregnancy. Updated February 11, 2025. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
  2. CDC HIV Nexus — Clinical Testing Guidance for HIV. Clinician-facing framing: routine testing, opt-out screening to reduce stigma, and re-testing while risk factors are ongoing. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
  3. HIV.gov — Who Should Get Tested?. Testing after age 64, the 1-in-8 unaware figure, PEP within 3 days, prenatal testing, and FDA-approved rapid self-tests. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
  4. ODPHP MyHealthfinder — Get Tested for HIV. The 15–65 band reflecting USPSTF, behavior-based testing triggers, and ACA and Medicare coverage of HIV testing. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
  5. CDC HIV Nexus — Clinical Guidance for PrEP. Every-3-month testing on oral PrEP, every-2-month testing on injectable cabotegravir, and kidney and STI monitoring intervals. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
  6. Florida DOH — State of the HIV Epidemic, 2023; historical statewide PrEP services and drug-assistance program description. Source. ↩↩
  7. Florida DOH — HIV Prevention; perinatal prevention and TOPWA services in eight counties. Source. ↩↩
  8. CDC (2025) — Clinical Recommendation for Injectable Lenacapavir as HIV PrEP; testing at initiation and maintenance visits. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
  9. USPSTF — HIV Screening; ages 15–65, other ages at increased risk, and pregnancy. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩ ↩ ↩
  10. Florida Statutes, section 384.31 — prenatal testing, information and right to refuse. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩
  11. Florida Administrative Code, rule 64D-3.042 — STD Testing Related to Pregnancy; adopted rule effective March 9, 2020. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩
  12. FDA — INSTI HIV Self Test; fingerstick self-test approval. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩
  13. FDA — OraQuick HIV Self-Test; oral-fluid self-test and product instructions. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩
  14. HealthCare.gov — Preventive care benefits for adults; HIV screening coverage and network conditions. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩ ↩
  15. Medicare — Your Guide to Medicare Preventive Services; HIV screening and separate PrEP-related benefits. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩ ↩
  16. Florida DOH — How Can I Pay for PrEP?; insurance and assistance pathways. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩
  17. CDC — 2025 nonoccupational PEP guidelines; immediate assessment and follow-up testing. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩ ↩ ↩ ↩
  18. NIH Perinatal Guidelines — Intrapartum Care; effective treatment and perinatal prevention. Source. Checked September 21, 2026. ↩

Community publications like POZ, Positively Aware, and TheBody inform framing and lived-experience context on RiseUpToHIV. Every clinical, epidemiological, or public-health claim above is anchored to a primary source.

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