COVID testing

This page covers the following topics:

• Testing on campus
• Testing off campus
• What to do if you test positive
• Additional testing exemptions
  

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Testing on campus

Regular surveillance testing is not required of students, faculty and staff. However, if you have symptoms or are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, PCR testing is available on campus. In addition, you may be directed to test as part of UCLA’s isolation and quarantine protocols, if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or if changing conditions warrant additional surveillance.

Campus PCR testing is only available to currently enrolled students, current employees and non–UCLA affiliates who have been approved to test. Individuals must have BruinCard, a valid university ID or an ID number provided by their program or department. (A smartphone or tablet that receives SMS texts is also necessary.) Those who are not eligible can use other available testing resources. 

Where to test on campus

On-campus PCR testing is available through the California Department of Public Health, in partnership with the SwabSeq Laboratory. Self-administered PCR test kits are available through campus vending machines at the following locations:

• Ackerman Union (south entrance, UCLA Bookstore)
• Haines Hall (west entrance)
• Pauley Pavilion (north side, adjacent to Bruin Walk)
• Neuroscience Building (west entrance)

Rapid tests are also available for purchase at the following campus locations:

• Ackerman Union (A-level vending machine)
• Haines Hall (west entrance vending machine)
• Pauley Pavilion (north side, adjacent to Bruin Walk)
• Neuroscience Building (west entrance vending machine)
• Ackerman Union student store
• Bruin Health pharmacy

For more information on testing, visit the UCLA Ashe Center’s COVID-19 testing site.

Testing off campus

COVID-19 PCR testing is available throughout Los Angeles County and California if you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed to an infected person. Tests include:

• PCR tests
  Returns results in 1–2 days.
• Rapid antigen tests
  Can be given at a testing site or self-administered at home; returns results in 30 minutes or less. U.S. households can place an order to have free rapid tests delivered to their home. Request them at this COVID-19 tests website.

At times, a negative rapid antigen test may be required to test out of isolation (per UCLA isolation and quarantine protocols).

If you test positive

If you test positive through on-campus diagnostic testing or off campus, please contact: 

Campus health officials will then advise you and any close contacts — those who have been with you in an indoor setting for a total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period — on how to proceed, per Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and UCLA isolation protocols.

You tested positive: 90-day exemption from PCR testing

If you test positive and complete your period of isolation, you should avoid PCR testing until 90 days have elapsed since your positive test (if you were asymptomatic) or the onset of symptoms (if you were symptomatic).

You may, however, test during this period using a rapid antigen test.

Further details

Note: Those who work in UCLA Health clinical areas must follow the COVID-19 protocols for healthcare settings. However, those who work in both clinical and non-clinical settings must also comply with these campus protocols when outside of the healthcare environment.

For more information on testing at UCLA, see the following resources:

• Standard Operating Procedure for Responding to COVID-19 Cases at UCLA