Preferred Location: 1608 South J St Tacoma,WA 98405 New Tacoma Change location
SaferSTD Preferred Location: 1608 South J St Tacoma,WA 98405 New Tacoma Change Location
In Pierce County, chlamydia cases rose from 4,976 in 2016 to 5,434 in 2017. Gonorrhea cases also rose, especially in men. Syphilis cases are up 200%, an especially alarming increase in a disease that was almost non-existent two decades ago. And not all STDs come with early warning signs.
Especially at risk are pregnant women, who can experience negative consequences for themselves and their unborn children.
Stay safe with regular testing! Private and public testing centers can be found scattered throughout the city. From the Feminist Women’s Health Center on Martin Luther King Way to the Planned Parenthood on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, there are many options that can include free STD testing though not all results will be readily available.
Pierce County is also utilizing technology, including smartphone apps, to help increase public awareness about STDs and safe sex practices.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention1 (CDC) recommends screening for the most common STDs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, herpes 1, herpes 2, and HIV for both men and women. In addition, the CDC suggests women get screened for trichomoniasis.
SaferSTD recommends searching for locations that offer a 10-test panel which tests for the most common bacteria and viral STDs in the U.S. with additional premium add-ons like early HIV detection, if needed.
The CDC2 provides detailed STD testing information as to when you should get tested. In summary, you should get tested today if you are sexually active, never been tested before, have had unprotected sex in the past, or if you exhibit symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization3, the majority of STI cases reported every day, more than one million, are asymptomatic; another reason to get tested today.
You should get tested again in 90 days to rule out STDs that have specific exposure waiting times, including HIV.
STD testing can be a quick and simple process, depending on the type of test you choose and where you get tested. Some may require an oral or genital swab, a urine test or blood sample, or a physical exam to check your genital area for signs of an STD.
SaferSTD has identified preferred providers that require only a urine test, a blood sample, or both without a physical exam.
The speed at which you receive your STD testing results depends on where you get tested. Before you choose your location, find out how long testing results will take.
At-home STD testing results are usually 3-5 business days, depending on the manufacturer of your test. You also need to take into account the amount of time it takes to receive the test or pick one up, perform the test, and ship it back, before the lab can analyze your results and report back to you.
If you test at a public facility such as a neighborhood clinic, you may have to wait a week, if not more for the results, which could delay treatment. If you test through a private facility, they have the fastest turnaround within 1-3 business days.
SaferSTD has researched and identified the most accredited and most reputable testing locations. Click here to find a preferred location near you.
Some STD testing clinics offer same-day walk-in options without an appointment. Below are nearby preferred locations that offer this option.
The cost of STD testing depends on whether you select private, public, or at-home testing, as well as the type of test(s) you need.
Several at-home STD options and public testing locations can cost up to $250, with most on the higher end, depending on the brand and type of testing. Public testing fees also vary based on income and welfare eligibility.
With private testing, you may save money on a low-cost comprehensive 10-test panel that tests for the most common bacterial and viral STDs in the United States.
SaferSTD has researched and identified reputable locations that offer upfront pricing without hidden fees. Click here to find a preferred location near you.
PCAF Tacoma is taking steps to lower the number of STDs in their community. One step they are taking is to offer testing at the majority of their clinics. There are three in the county that do so, right now.
Testing is done by a qualified technicians and experienced counselors are also on hand. You should expect to wait up to a week before learning your STD status.
The Cedar River Clinics (Tacoma Health Center) is taking steps to lower the number of STDs in their community. One step they are taking is to offer testing at the majority of their clinics. There are three in the county that do so, right now.
Testing is done by a qualified technicians and experienced counselors are also on hand. You should expect to wait up to a week before learning your STD status.
It is almost impossible to at least not be familiar with the name Planned Parenthood. They are leaders in research concerning sexual health care. Some may think they only perform one service but nothing is further from the truth.
You can easily get tested for sexually transmitted infections here. You also have the advantage of having a counselor to talk to when results are in.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (Communicable Disease Control)is taking steps to lower the number of STDs in their community. One step they are taking is to offer testing at the majority of their clinics. There are three in the county that do so, right now.
Testing is done by a qualified technicians and experienced counselors are also on hand. You should expect to wait up to a week before learning your STD status.
The Community Health Care (Hilltop Family Medical Center) is taking steps to lower the number of STDs in their community. One step they are taking is to offer testing at the majority of their clinics. There are three in the county that do so, right now.
Testing is done by a qualified technicians and experienced counselors are also on hand. You should expect to wait up to a week before learning your STD status.
Testing is done by a qualified technicians and experienced counselors are also on hand. You should expect to wait up to a week before learning your STD status.
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Accredited and Certified
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Order online and receive a doctor's order to visit this lab to get tested in as little as 15 mins. Get your results privately within 1-2 business days and speak with a doctor over the phone if your test results come back positive. Doctors may prescribe treatment or refer you to a specialist if needed.
Accredited and Certified
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Getting an STD test at a clinic near you has never been easier. When you choose this location, you can get a doctor's requisition to get tested in as little as 15 minutes. Following your test, you receive your results privately within 2 business days, and can speak to a doctor over the phone with confidence, should results come back as positive.
Accredited and Certified
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Why go to a public clinic? Get convenient and fast STD testing that is 100% confidential. Individual tests under $50. Order online and visit this lab the same day for a quick 15 min test. Get your results online within 1-2 business days, and view them privately. Doctor consultation available over the phone, should results come back as positive.
Accredited and Certified
These location types are best for: Privacy and convenience
Description: Get Fast, Easy and Affordable testing at this location. Results come back within 2 business days and be in and out of the lab in less then 20 minutes.
Show only locations where privacy and discretion is taken into importance.
Description: Need to register as a patient. Closed for lunch from 12noon-1pm. 2nd Wednesday of each month closed at 12noon for the remainder of the day
Description: Community Based Organization. Call for clinic hours as they vary; hours above are phone hours
Description: Social Service Organization. Opens at 12noon on the 4th Friday of each month
Show only locations where you can easily book your test online.
Description: Need to register as a patient.
Description: Community Based Organization. Closed for lunch daily 1pm to 1:30pm
Show only locations where they offer the HIV RNA Early Detection Test for people who think they may have been recently exposed to the HIV virus
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department.
Description: AIDS Service Organization.
Description: Need to register as a patient. Closed for lunch: 12noon-1pm. 2nd Wed. of each month closed at 12noon. Call for HIV testing schedule
Description: Social Service Organization. You are welcome to walk in any time the Health Center is open to make an appointment or see if there is a same day appointment available
Description: Public Health Department/Social Services Department. Hours for family planning and sexual health clinic, Mon.-Thurs., 9am-6pm and Fri., 8am-5pm
Description: Closed for lunch from 12noon-1pm. 2nd Wednesday of each month closed at 12noon for the remainder of the day
Description: Safeway Pharmacy.
Description: Need to register as a patient. Closed for lunch: 12noon-1pm. 2nd Wednesday of each month: Closed at 12noon for the remainder of the day
Description: Safeway Pharmacy.
Description: Need to register as a patient.
It’s not often that an STD can elicit a cautionary advisory, but one was issued in the summer of 2017 for Gonorrhea. Surprisingly, one was not proclaimed for Chlamydia since this is the bacterial infection plaguing most of the nation.
Gonorrhea is the epidemic Tacoma is currently facing. In 6 months it leapt 39 percent. Men, women and children 12 to 48 are all feeling the affect.
Other details are not mentioned or are lumped together with state and country health reports. Due to the missing information, it’s hard to tell how high the rates for other STDs have climbed. If the available data is any indication, they’re not far behind Gonorrhea.
Top STD Testing Locations in Tacoma, WA
Primary Item (H2)Testing isn't free, but they do accept insurance and Medicaid. During your phone call the staff can help you apply for financial assistance if you need it and don't have any yet.
Anyone over 14 can come in. The fees are often on a sliding scale. If you need help paying, ask before you go in.
PCAF Tacoma might be an urgent care clinic but they also handle STDs. They have a close partnership with an accredited lab so you won't have to wait long for results from your test.
Check the wait time online and go in at your convenience. They also have ample free parking, if you choose to drive.
3009 S 40th St, Tacoma, WA 98409, USA
Testing isn't free, but they do accept insurance and Medicaid. During your phone call the staff can help you apply for financial assistance if you need it and don't have any yet.
Anyone over 14 can come in. The fees are often on a sliding scale. If you need help paying, ask before you go in.
Check the wait time online and go in at your convenience. They also have ample free parking, if you choose to drive.
1401 M.L.K. Jr Way, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA
If you call ahead you might be able to get in that day. You can also go online and look through their availability calendar and find a time that is best for you.
Anyone over 14 can get an appointment. without bringing their parents. Calling ahead can also get you enrolled in a plan that will help cover testing expenses.
You can everything from Pep and PrEP at Planned Parenthood. Free condoms are also available for men and women. After all these years, the organization is still at the forefront when it comes to protecting your sexual health.
1515 M.L.K. Jr Way, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA
Testing isn't free, but they do accept insurance and Medicaid. During your phone call the staff can help you apply for financial assistance if you need it and don't have any yet.
Anyone over 14 can come in. The fees are often on a sliding scale. If you need help paying, ask before you go in.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department (Communicable Disease Control) might be an urgent care clinic but they also handle STDs. They have a close partnership with an accredited lab so you won't have to wait long for results from your test.
Check the wait time online and go in at your convenience. They also have ample free parking, if you choose to drive.
3629 S D St, Tacoma, WA 98418, USA
Testing isn't free, but they do accept insurance and Medicaid. During your phone call the staff can help you apply for financial assistance if you need it and don't have any yet.
Anyone over 14 can come in. The fees are often on a sliding scale. If you need help paying, ask before you go in.
Check the wait time online and go in at your convenience. They also have ample free parking, if you choose to drive.
1202 M.L.K. Jr Way, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA
Testing isn't free, but they do accept insurance and Medicaid. During your phone call the staff can help you apply for financial assistance if you need it and don't have any yet.
Anyone over 14 can come in. The fees are often on a sliding scale. If you need help paying, ask before you go in.
Check the wait time online and go in at your convenience. They also have ample free parking, if you choose to drive.
1112 S Cushman Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405, USA
Not only is caring for nature important, but Tacoma residents feel the same way about their health. All aspects of it. This is apparent, even if the rates of transmitted sexual diseases aren’t.
One advocate for the public’s sexual health is Planned Parenthood. Centrally located by 15th Street on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, they can provide everything you need to stay on top of the health of your reproductive system.
Testing for Trich, genital warts, bacterial vaginosis and STDs are common reasons people drop in. They also provide support, counseling and have treatment options. They do accept insurance, its just a question of whether your policy works with them. Otherwise, payment is upfront and can be hefty depending on the reason you are there.
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department-Communicable Disease Control has a large office downtown. On S. D Street, parking can be a bear so plan on walking a short block or two. If you live or work nearby, then no worries. Prevention that includes distributing condoms is one practice the county clinic is proud of. You can also receive vaccines for Hep A and B. This way you can cross these two STDs off your list.
If you’re willing to signup as a patient Community Health Care and HealthPoint Federal Way both provide conventional tests for STDs. CHC is at E. 44th St., and Healthpoint’s address is tucked away at 13th PLS Federal Way. If you also want to get vaccinated for HPV, head to CHC.
Wait times will differ on the day you show up, even though you had to register first. Insurance will be accepted, though this does affect your privacy. However, if you aren’t bothered by this, contact one of them now to start the registration process.
Women, in particular, might find the Feminist Womens Health Center welcoming and comfortable. Housed on Martin Luther King Way, they will check you for all sexually transmitted diseases. The center also handles all other aspects of your reproductive system. Everyone is welcome, but the name does indicate who their services are geared for.
It’s no secret, HIV can be a deadly virus once it advances to AIDS. While it’s not curable, it can be managed and treated if caught early enough. Basically, you can live a full and mainly healthy life. Just get an HIV blood test or an oral one.
If you’re already getting an oral swab, blood or urine test for another venereal infection, add one for HIV. Often it is a standard inclusion, though be safe and ask first.
If you don’t want to wait more than a day for your results, there are a few clinics that have rapid HIV tests. Community Health Care, at their Gravelly Lake Dr. location takes care of suburbia. The same service is also offered at their main center, and both give you the option of choosing a conventional blood test. Just remember, you must register as a client before you can do anything.
Sea Mar routinely tests for HIV at their S. Cushman Ave clinic. Medical treatment is also offered. The staff is incredibly professional, and rarely is anyone in need of medical services turned away. This does not mean that there aren’t fees, and these will be discussed at the time of your appointment. Insurance rarely is problematic, though it does hamper privacy.
While public clinics in city limits aren’t plentiful, the same ones have clinics in the metro neighborhoods. This helps to ensure that Tacoma has taken care of all its residents, no matter the zip code. However, private neighborhood labs have the same services with fewer hassles.
This “forward thinking” city is tackling this controversial subject at all grade levels. Some conservative groups are upset by this, but Tacoma is standing firm.
What will actually be taught is left up to local school boards, but sexual health education is changing in a good way. Along with learning about prevention, gender identity and acceptance will be in the curriculum. It’s these last two items that have some groups worried and starting petitions against the new education regulations.
Since the material varies, there could still be questions that are left unanswered. Planned Parenthood often fills this gap. Condoms, leaflets and trained counselors are all available to anyone that asks.
The Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County supports the Rebuilding Hope’s Education Department. While they do deal mainly with harassment, bullying and rape, STDs are another topic they cover. Groups and organizations can contact them to set up a presentation. There is a charge so plan to have them speak before a large group.
What is perhaps the best-known educator about AIDS and HIV is the Ryan White Foundation and Program. Along with providing support and all types of medical and dental services, they also work to inform the public. Anyone is welcome to take part in their classes and seminars and they warmly encourage you to attend, even if the virus has never touched your life.
Since education is only improving, there’s hope that STIs won’t turn into a health crisis.
It seems that the “city of destiny” is taking control of its inhabitants’ health and well-being. All parts of it. Their love of nature carries over into their daily lives. This is evident in the sweeping health education overhaul, starting in kindergarten.
You can’t relax, though. Sexually transmitted diseases aren’t gone, you still need to take precautions. Learning how not to pass one on, and bi-annual testing are necessary.
Each page below contains a detailed report of the local area, location STD statistics and clinic reviews of some the top STD testing locations. The content is curated by our very own editors and medical experts.