The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released on Tuesday an updated list of FDA-authorized at-home over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests.
An at-home COVID-19 diagnostic test is one where you collect your own sample, perform the test and read the results yourself. The test does not require you to send a sample to a laboratory. Most tests will use a nasal swab for the testing.
Authorized at-home OTC tests are available without a prescription and are typically available online or at local retailers.
The updated list contains 17 test kits, which are either antigen or molecular tests. An antigen test detects specific proteins from the virus while a molecular test detects the genetic material from the virus.
The table below lists the FDA-authorized at-home OTC COVID-19 diagnostic tests:
| Manufacturer and Test Name | Test Type | Symptoms | Age | Other Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbott Diagnostics Scarborough, Inc.: BinaxNOW COVID-19 Ag Card Home Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 7 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 15 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Requires supervision of a telehealth proctor and a smartphone or computer - Results in 15 minutes |
| Abbott Diagnostics Scarborough, Inc.: BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 7 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 15 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Smartphone optional - Results in 15 minutes |
| Access Bio, Inc.: CareStart COVID-19 Antigen Home Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 7 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Smartphone optional - Alternate brand name: On/go COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test - Results in 10 minutes |
| ACON Laboratories, Inc: Flowflex COVID-19 Antigen Home Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 7 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Smartphone optional - Alternate brand name: On/Go One COVID-19 Antigen Home Test - Results in 15 minutes |
| Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD): BD Veritor At-Home COVID-19 Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 7 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Requires a smartphone - Results in 15 minutes |
| Celltrion USA, Inc.: Celltrion DiaTrust COVID-19 Ag Home Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 7 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older | - Mid-turbinate nasal swab - Smartphone optional - Results in 15 minutes |
| Cue Health Inc.: Cue COVID-19 Test for Home and Over The Counter (OTC) Use | Molecular | - People with or without symptoms | - Age 18 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Requires a Cue Cartridge Reader (sold separately) - Requires a smartphone - Results in 20 minutes |
| Detect, Inc.: Detect Covid-19 Test | Molecular | - People suspected of COVID-19 - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Requires a Detect Hub (sold separately) - Requires a smartphone - Results in 60 minutes |
| Ellume Limited: Ellume COVID-19 Home Test | Antigen | - People with or without symptoms | - Age 16 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Mid-turbinate nasal swab - Requires a Smartphone - Results in 15 minutes |
| iHealth Labs, Inc.: iHealth COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 7 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 15 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Smartphone optional - Results in 15 minutes |
| InBios International Inc: SCoV-2 Ag Detect Rapid Self-Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 5 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Results in 20 minutes |
| Lucira Health, Inc: Lucira CHECK-IT COVID-19 Test Kit | Molecular | - People with or without symptoms | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Smartphone optional - Results in 30 minutes |
| Maxim Biomedical, Inc.: MaximBio ClearDetect COVID-19 Antigen Home Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 5 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Results in 15 minutes |
| OraSure Technologies, Inc.: InteliSwab COVID-19 Rapid Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 7 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Smartphone optional - Results in 30 minutes |
| Quidel Corporation: QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 6 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Results in 10 minutes |
| SD Biosensor, Inc.: COVID-19 At-Home Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 6 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Results in 20 minutes |
| Siemens Healthineer: CLINITEST Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Self-Test | Antigen | - People with symptoms that began within the last 7 days - People without symptoms. The test is to be performed two times over three days (serial testing) | - Age 14 years and older - Age 2 years and older when collected by an adult | - Nasal swab - Results in 15 minutes |
A positive self-test result means that the test detected the virus, and you are very likely to be infected and should stay home or isolate, wear a mask if you have contact with others, and avoid indoor gatherings to reduce the risk of spreading disease to someone else.
A negative self-test result means that the test did not detect the virus and you may not have an infection, but it does not rule out infection. Repeating the test within a few days, with at least 24 hours between tests, will increase the confidence that you are not infected.
Last month, the federal government began sending out COVID-19 tests to American households that want them.
The free tests can be ordered online and will usually ship within 7-12 days of ordering.
No identification, credit card or health insurance information is required — you just need to include your name and a street address.
If you want to track your request for the tests, you can add an email address to get updates on your tests.
More coronavirus pandemic coverage:
>> Coronavirus: How long between exposure to the virus and the start of symptoms?
>> How to not let coronavirus pandemic fatigue set in, battle back if it does