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STD Testing in Tucson: Where to Get Tested, What It Costs and What to Expect

Updated · Sources are cited in the text

STD Testing in Tucson: Where to Get Tested, What It Costs and What to Expect

This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Getting tested is a routine part of health care. It is also one of the most useful things a sexually active adult can do for themselves and their partners. This guide walks through every route to STD testing in Tucson, from the county health department to nonprofit clinics, Planned Parenthood, primary care and at-home HIV kits. It explains what a visit looks like, what gets tested, and what the published costs are.

Everything here is written without judgment. Anyone of any gender or orientation can need a test, and a test is just information. A clinician or a lab result is the only thing that can tell you about your own health.

Key takeaways

  • Pima County Health Department runs two clinics that offer HIV and STI testing, Theresa Lee Public Health Center and the Northwest Clinic. The county says fees follow a sliding scale based on income and that nobody is turned away for inability to pay.
  • Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF) lists free testing. Its page describes a rapid HIV test with results in about 20 minutes.
  • El Rio Health and Planned Parenthood also offer testing. Their published fee information is limited, so ask the clinic about cost when you call.
  • Call before you go. Two county pages disagree about walk-ins at Theresa Lee, and directory hours can change.
  • Arizona law lets a minor consent to care for a sexually transmitted infection, and Pima County says minors do not need parental consent.
  • Bacterial STIs and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV, herpes and HPV are not curable, but they are treatable or manageable.

In this guide

  1. Your testing options in Tucson at a glance
  2. Pima County Health Department clinics
  3. Community health centers and other clinics
  4. Urgent care, primary care and at-home options
  5. What a visit involves and what gets tested
  6. What testing costs in Tucson
  7. Privacy, minors, pregnancy and the law
  8. After your test: results, treatment and prevention
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Your testing options in Tucson at a glance

There is no single front door for STI testing in Tucson. Which route fits depends on cost, timing, whether you have symptoms, and whether you want to see your own provider. The table below summarizes the options, based on what each organization or directory publishes.

WhereWhat the sources sayCost informationBefore you go
Theresa Lee Public Health Center (Pima County)HIV and STI testing, PrEP and treatmentSliding scale based on incomeCall 520-724-7900
Pima County Northwest ClinicHIV and STI testing, PrEP and treatmentSliding scale based on incomeCall 520-724-2880
Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF)HIV testing, rapid HIV test, and STI tests listed by CDCListed as freeAppointment is the best option; call 520-628-7223
El Rio Health (Congress Street and Southeast campus)HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis tests listed by CDC; hepatitis and herpes tests listed at Congress StreetSliding scale listed at Congress Street; no fee amounts publishedAppointment required per CDC listing; call 520-670-3909
Planned Parenthood Southern Arizona Regional Health CenterSTD and HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, HPV vaccineFees listed only as varyingCall 520-408-7526 to confirm hours and appointments
University of Arizona Campus Health ServiceExpress gonorrhea and chlamydia testing for students only$65 flat fee, not billed to insuranceStudents only; call 520-621-9202
Get Tested AZ (HIV AZ / Aunt Rita's)Free at-home HIV test kit after a short surveyFree for those who qualifyVisit gettestedaz.org

The local testing list gathers these places in one spot. To check any clinic against a national directory, CDC runs GetTested, where you can search by ZIP code for HIV, STI and hepatitis testing sites.

If you are weighing STD clinic Tucson options for the first time, a few questions help narrow things down. Do you want free or low-cost care? Do you want to be seen quickly? Do you have symptoms, or is this a routine check? Do you want a clinic that can also start PrEP or treat an infection on the same visit? The sections below answer each of these.

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Pima County Health Department clinics

Pima County is the public health authority for Tucson. Its HIV and sexually transmitted infections page lists two clinics that provide HIV and STI testing, PrEP starter packs and PrEP navigation.

Theresa Lee Public Health Center

The address is 1493 W. Commerce Court, Tucson, AZ 85746. The phone number is 520-724-7900.

Here is where the county's own information needs a careful reading. The county HIV and STI page says clients are seen on a walk-in basis and that wait times can vary. The county Clinic Hours page, however, lists HIV and STI testing at this site as by appointment only, and says Saturday is closed. Because the two pages disagree, the safest step is to call first and ask how to be seen that day.

The Clinic Hours page also says no services are offered from noon to 1 p.m. daily. The clinics are closed the first Thursday of every month. Plan around those gaps, especially if you are coming on a lunch break.

Pima County Northwest Clinic

The address is 1010 W. Miracle Mile, Tucson, AZ 85705. The phone number is 520-724-2880.

The Clinic Hours page lists HIV and STI testing here but does not give hours for that service. The county says walk-in services are available as capacity allows. The same noon to 1 p.m. break and first-Thursday closure apply. Call to ask about the day and time that works.

Cost and consent at the county clinics

The Pima County page states that fees follow a sliding fee scale based on income and that nobody will be turned away for inability to pay. The page does not publish a price list, so ask the clinic what your visit is likely to cost when you call.

The county also says minors do not need parental consent. More on that in the section on privacy and the law.

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Community health centers and other clinics

Beyond the county, several organizations in Tucson offer STI testing. They differ in who they serve and how they handle fees. Details from directories such as CDC GetTested and 211 Arizona can change, so treat hours as a starting point and call to confirm.

Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF Health)

SAAF is at 375 S. Euclid Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85719. The phone is 520-628-7223, or toll-free 800-771-9054.

SAAF's testing page says making an appointment is the best option, and that walk-ins depend on availability. It lists a Wednesday evening walk-in window from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Testing hours on its page are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:15 a.m. to noon, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 1:15 to 5:00 p.m. The last appointments are 11:15 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.

SAAF uses a rapid HIV antigen and antibody test, with results available in approximately 20 minutes, according to its page. The CDC GetTested listing for SAAF lists free HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and STI tests (chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis). The listing says insurance and Medicaid are accepted, and that PrEP is available for people without insurance. SAAF's own testing page does not list STI tests, so call to confirm which tests are offered on the day you plan to visit.

SAAF also lists PEP and HPV vaccination. Contact SAAF about eligibility for any service.

El Rio Health

El Rio is a federally qualified health center. The CDC GetTested listings show two locations that offer testing.

  • Congress Street: 839 W Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85745. The CDC listing shows an HIV blood draw, hepatitis B and C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis tests, plus PrEP navigation. It lists insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and a sliding scale.
  • Southeast Campus: 6950 E Golf Links Rd, Tucson, AZ 85730. The CDC listing shows HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing and PrEP for uninsured patients. El Rio's general center hours are Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the lab open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Those are general hours, not STI-specific ones.

Both listings say an appointment is required, and both direct you to contact the organization about eligibility. The phone number is 520-670-3909. El Rio has not published fee amounts in the sources reviewed, so ask about cost when you book.

Planned Parenthood Southern Arizona Regional Health Center

The center is at 2255 N Wyatt Dr, Tucson, AZ 85712, phone 520-408-7526. According to the 211 Arizona listing, services include STD and HIV testing, PrEP, PEP, the HPV vaccine and treatment. Hours listed are Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The listing says walk-ins are accepted, and that fees vary.

Other directories show a different phone number and different hours. Because of that, confirm by phone before you go, and ask about the cost of the specific tests you want.

University of Arizona Campus Health Service

For students only, Campus Health offers Express STI Testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia for people without symptoms. The page lists a flat fee of $65, which is not billed to insurance, and says no appointment is needed. With symptoms, students should call 520-621-9202 to schedule. Campus Health providers can also prescribe PrEP and PEP as needed. This is not a public clinic.

HIV care and urgent exposure options

The Pima County page also lists Banner University Medical Center and the University of Arizona Petersen HIV Clinics (520-626-8598) for PrEP, PEP and HIV care. For urgent post-exposure treatment, it lists the Banner Emergency Department at 1501 N. Campbell Ave. CDC says PEP works best when started as soon as possible after a possible HIV exposure, so do not wait if this applies to you.

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Urgent care, primary care and at-home options

Your own primary care provider

Many people prefer to ask their regular clinician for STI testing. This works well if you have insurance and want your results kept in one chart. You can say plainly, 'I would like to be screened for STIs,' and a clinician will talk through what fits your situation. If you are not sure the office does this, call and ask. Costs depend on your plan, and the sources reviewed here do not publish local prices for private offices.

Urgent care

Some urgent care centers in Tucson test for STIs, especially when you have symptoms such as discharge, pain, sores or burning with urination. The sources reviewed for this guide do not list specific urgent care sites, tests or fees. Call the location first and ask which tests it runs, what the self-pay price is, and whether results come the same day or later.

At-home HIV testing

Get Tested AZ, a program of HIV AZ and Aunt Rita's with Southwest Center, offers free at-home HIV test kits. Per its website, you answer a survey that decides which free test you qualify for, and the oral swab gives results in about 20 minutes. The site does not mention Tucson or Pima County specifically and does not state eligibility rules. It lists no at-home STI kit. Free STI testing through the program is in person at Sonora Quest Laboratories, with possible eligibility requirements.

Any at-home test works best when you know its window period, which is covered in the next section. If a home test is positive, a clinician confirms it with follow-up testing.

Free mail-in STI kits through Pima County are not something the sources reviewed here confirm. For other options, the CDC GetTested directory lets you search by ZIP code.

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What a visit involves and what gets tested

A first visit can feel intimidating. In practice, it is usually a short conversation followed by a simple sample. Here is how it typically goes.

Before the test

  • Check-in and paperwork. You may be asked about insurance, income (for sliding scale fees) and contact information.
  • A private conversation. A clinician or counselor may ask about your sexual health, partners, symptoms and past testing. You can answer in your own words, and the questions are not about judging you.
  • Choosing tests. You and the clinician decide which tests make sense based on your history and your body.

Common sample types

  • Urine sample. Often used for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
  • Swabs. Throat, rectal or genital swabs may be used, depending on the kind of sex you have. CDC notes that testing at each site of exposure matters for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men.
  • Blood draw or finger-prick. Used for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis.
  • Swab of a sore. If there is a visible sore, a clinician may swab it to test for herpes.

What CDC recommends

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) and CDC testing guidance include these screening recommendations. This is general guidance, not advice about your own health:

  • HIV: CDC recommends that everyone ages 13 to 64 be tested for HIV at least once, and that people with ongoing risk be tested more often.
  • Chlamydia and gonorrhea: CDC recommends yearly screening for sexually active women under 25, and for older women with risk factors such as a new partner. For gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, CDC recommends at least yearly screening at each site of contact, and more often for those at higher risk.
  • Syphilis: CDC recommends at least yearly screening for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, and for people with HIV who are sexually active. Pregnant people are screened in pregnancy. Everyone else can ask a clinician whether syphilis testing makes sense for them.
  • Hepatitis C: CDC recommends that all adults be tested at least once in their lifetime.
  • Hepatitis B: CDC recommends screening for all adults at least once, and vaccination for many adults.
  • Herpes: CDC does not recommend routine herpes blood testing for people without symptoms. If you have a sore or a concern, ask a clinician which test fits.
  • HPV: There is no routine HPV test for most people. Cervical cancer screening for those with a cervix is the main HPV-related screening. A clinician can explain the schedule.

The USPSTF also publishes screening recommendations for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B and C. Your clinician can walk you through how they apply to you.

What to ask for

Not every visit includes every test. A simple way to start is to ask the clinic: 'Which infections will this visit test for? Can I also be tested for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C?' If you have had oral or anal sex, ask whether throat and rectal swabs are available. These are questions a clinician hears every day.

Window periods

A window period is the time between a possible exposure and when a test can reliably detect an infection. For HIV, CDC says it depends on the type of test:

  • A nucleic acid test (NAT) can usually detect HIV 10 to 33 days after exposure.
  • An antigen and antibody lab test using a blood draw can usually detect HIV 18 to 45 days after exposure.
  • A rapid antigen and antibody test using a finger-prick can take 18 to 90 days.
  • Antibody-only tests, including most self-tests, can take 23 to 90 days.

For other infections, window periods vary by test and by infection. Ask the clinician when the best time to test is for your situation, and whether a repeat test is useful later.

How long results take

SAAF says its rapid HIV test gives results in approximately 20 minutes. Other tests, including urine, swab and blood tests sent to a lab, often take longer. Ask the clinic how and when you will hear back, and which number they will call.

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What testing costs in Tucson

Cost is the question people ask most, and honest answers require some detail. Here is what is published, and what is not.

Published information

  • Pima County clinics: The county says fees follow a sliding scale based on income and that nobody is turned away for inability to pay. The county page does not list dollar amounts.
  • SAAF: The CDC GetTested listing describes free HIV, hepatitis and STI tests. SAAF's own page covers HIV testing. Contact SAAF for eligibility.
  • El Rio Health: The Congress Street listing shows a sliding scale along with insurance, Medicaid and Medicare. The Southeast listing shows insurance, Medicaid and Medicare. No fee amounts are published for either.
  • Planned Parenthood: The 211 Arizona listing says fees vary and gives no amounts.
  • University of Arizona Campus Health: Students pay a flat $65 for Express gonorrhea and chlamydia testing. The fee is not billed to insurance. This applies to students only.
  • Get Tested AZ: Free at-home HIV test kits are offered for those who qualify through its survey.

What is not published

The sources reviewed do not list prices for urgent care, private primary care offices or lab visits. Prices at those sites depend on your insurance, your deductible and the specific tests ordered. Before you go, ask for the self-pay price and the insurance estimate, and ask what the visit fee covers separately from the lab.

Tips for lowering cost

  • Ask whether a sliding scale or income-based fee applies.
  • Ask whether a test is offered free through a program, as SAAF's CDC listing describes.
  • If you have insurance, ask the clinic whether the billing will appear on a shared policy statement. If privacy at home is a concern, ask about confidential options.
  • Request only the tests you and the clinician agree are needed, and ask about added fees before agreeing.
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Privacy, minors, pregnancy and the law

Minors and consent

Under A.R.S. Sec. 44-132.01, as published by the Arizona Legislature, a minor who may have a venereal disease can consent to hospital or medical care for its diagnosis or treatment. The consent cannot be disaffirmed because of minority, and a parent's, guardian's or legal custodian's consent is not required. Pima County's HIV and STI page also says minors do not need parental consent. The sources reviewed do not set a minimum age, so a young person with questions can ask the clinic directly.

Pregnancy and syphilis screening

Arizona law, A.R.S. Sec. 36-693, requires that a physician test a pregnant woman's blood for syphilis at the first prenatal examination after a diagnosis of pregnancy. If no test was done before delivery, cord blood is taken at delivery. The statute says the state laboratory performs the test without charge.

This matters locally. AZPM News reported 53 confirmed cases of congenital syphilis in Pima County in 2024, with early county data suggesting about 24 in 2025 (provisional). CDC explains that syphilis can be treated during pregnancy, and treatment from a clinician protects the baby. Anyone who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy can ask their prenatal provider about testing.

Reporting of infections

Under A.R.S. Sec. 36-621, certain contagious and infectious diseases must be reported to the health department. Pima County directs providers to report through its disease investigation form. In practice, that means a positive result for some infections is shared with public health so that follow-up care and partner services can be offered. The sources reviewed do not provide the state's list of reportable STIs. Ask the clinic or the health department how reporting works for the infection you are tested for.

Telling partners

CDC describes expedited partner therapy, in which a clinician may provide treatment for the partners of someone with certain infections. CDC's legal status page for Arizona cites A.R.S. Sec. 32-1401, which excludes prescriptions written or antimicrobials dispensed to a contact with significant exposure from its definition of unprofessional conduct. Whether it applies to a given situation is a question for a clinician.

HIV and testing laws

Arizona has statutes for court-ordered testing in certain cases. A.R.S. Sec. 13-1415 covers testing and notification after an alleged sexual offense, and A.R.S. Sec. 13-1210 lets certain workers petition for testing after an exposure on the job. Neither defines a crime of HIV exposure. These are not part of routine clinic testing.

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After your test: results, treatment and prevention

If a result is negative

A negative result means the test did not detect that infection at the time of testing. If your exposure was recent, the window period may matter, and a clinician can tell you whether to repeat the test. A negative result is also a good moment to ask about prevention, covered below.

If a result is positive

A positive result is a starting point for care. It does not say anything about you as a person. Many infections are common, and treatment works.

  • Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are bacterial infections. They are curable with treatment prescribed by a clinician. Follow-up testing is often part of care.
  • Trichomoniasis is also curable with treatment from a clinician.
  • HIV is not curable, but it is treatable. CDC says people with HIV who take treatment as prescribed and keep an undetectable viral load do not transmit HIV to partners through sex.
  • Herpes and HPV are not curable, but they are manageable. A clinician can explain options for symptoms, and the HPV vaccine can help prevent some HPV types.

Do not start or stop any medicine on your own. A clinician chooses the treatment that fits your situation.

Prevention options to ask about

  • PrEP. SAAF describes PrEP as a pill you take once a day to help prevent HIV infection. Pima County offers PrEP starter packs and navigation at both its clinics, and SAAF, El Rio, Planned Parenthood and UA Campus Health (for students) also list PrEP.
  • PEP. For possible recent HIV exposure, PEP is a short course of medicine that should start as soon as possible. SAAF, Planned Parenthood and Campus Health list PEP. The Banner Emergency Department is listed for urgent post-exposure care.
  • Doxy-PEP. In 2024, CDC issued guidance on doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis for certain people, including gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender women who had a bacterial STI in the past 12 months. A clinician decides whether it fits. The sources reviewed do not confirm which Tucson clinics offer it, so ask when you call.
  • Vaccines. Vaccines exist for HPV and hepatitis B, and hepatitis A in some cases. Planned Parenthood, SAAF and El Rio list HPV vaccination.
  • Condoms and barrier methods. CDC describes these as effective when used consistently and correctly for reducing the risk of many STIs.

Local numbers to know

Arizona and Pima County figures give context, not a verdict on your own risk. According to the Pima County health indicator page (using 2023 NCHHSTP data), Pima County recorded 555 chlamydia cases per 100,000 people and 172 gonorrhea cases per 100,000. The rate of primary and secondary syphilis was 26.1 per 100,000. For Arizona overall, the same page lists 552.5 for chlamydia, 190.7 for gonorrhea and 24.1 for primary and secondary syphilis. The Pima County page also states that syphilis is on the rise in the county. KOLD News, citing the Arizona Department of Health Services, reported 141 new HIV cases in Pima County in 2022, a 15 percent increase.

The takeaway is simple. These infections are common enough that testing is a routine part of health care in Tucson.

A simple plan

  1. Decide which route fits: a county clinic, SAAF, El Rio, Planned Parenthood, or your own provider.
  2. Call first. Ask about appointments, walk-ins, hours and cost.
  3. Ask which tests the visit includes, and whether you can add syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C.
  4. Ask how you will get your results and who to call with questions.
  5. Ask about PrEP, vaccines and ways to protect yourself going forward.

You can also use CDC's GetTested directory to find more sites by ZIP code, or see the county's clinic hours page for the latest schedule.

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Sources