COVID testing

This page covers the following topics:

• Testing through UCLA’s campus program
• Testing outside of campus
• What to do if you test positive
• Additional testing exemptions
  

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Testing through UCLA’s campus program

Currently: Surveillance testing is no longer required for students, faculty and staff on campus. However, if you have symptoms or are concerned that you may have been exposed to COVID-19, you may continue to test through the campus program up to three times a week. It is also strongly recommended that fully remote students or employees coming to campus for a one-time meeting test prior to their in-person engagement. 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.

Note: Campus testing is only available to currently enrolled students, current employees and non–UCLA affiliates who have been approved to test. Individuals must have a valid university ID (UID) or have been provided a testing ID number by their program or department. Those who are not eligible can use other available testing resources. 

How to test

UCLA’s self-administered saliva-swab (PCR) tests kits are available from vending machines and distribution centers throughout campus, as well as at residential housing front desks. Anyone with a BruinCard can obtain up to three free tests per week. (A smartphone or tablet that receives SMS texts is also required.)

Note: Based on testing patterns and low use, as of April 14, 2023, five vending machine locations and nine test collection–box locations on campus will be discontinued. To learn which sites will remain open, see our April 5 message.

Within an hour of taking the test, deposit your sample in a collection bin next to the vending machines — make sure to deposit it between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday–Friday (excluding holidays).

Results for samples received before 11 a.m. will be available within 24 to 36 hours; those received after 11 a.m. will have results within 48 hours.

If you can’t obtain a test from a vending machine or require in-person testing for any reason, visit the in-person testing site at 300 Bradley Hall.

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

Testing outside of 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 (currently the most accurate)
  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.

Positive results from both types of tests can be uploaded to the UCLA COVID-19 Action Center (formerly the Symptom Monitoring Survey), and a negative rapid antigen test is required to test out of isolation (per UCLA isolation and quarantine protocols).

If you test positive

If you test positive through UCLA’s campus testing program, you’ll be contacted by campus health officials with instructions on isolation. Your “close contacts” — those who have been within 6 feet of you in an indoor setting for a total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period — will be notified by contact tracers, who will provide them with instructions on testing and possible quarantine.

If you test positive outside of UCLA — or if you are experiencing COVID-19–related symptoms and have been in contact with an infected person — you should upload the results of your positive test, whether PCR or rapid antigen, to the UCLA COVID-19 Action Center (formerly the Symptom Monitoring Survey) and contact: 

Campus health officials will then advise you and any close contacts on how to proceed, per UCLA’s isolation and quarantine protocols or LACDPH’s isolation and quarantine instructions.

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:

• COVID-19 Public Health Mitigation Requirements
• Community Screening Protocol