Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care Testing
Revisions were made on December 30, 2020 to reflect the following:
- Edited “Specimen Collection and Handling Point-of-Care Tests” section added language which clarifies the personal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for personnel collecting POC specimens versus the PPE recommended for personnel handling POC specimens but not directly involved in collection and not working within 6 feet of patients.
Revisions were made on December 26, 2020 to reflect the following:
- To whom long-term care facilities (LCTFs) should report point-of-care antigen testing data under “Reporting Requirements for Point-of-Care Testing”.
Revisions were made on December 10, 2020 to reflect the following:
- New “Help with Performing Point-of-Care Tests” section added, which includes helpful training resources for performing POC tests.
Revisions were made on December 2, 2020 to reflect the following:
- Modified page to include Frequently Asked Questions about Point-of-Care Testing
Point-of-care (POC) tests, such as some rapid tests for diagnosing an infectious disease, provide results within minutes of the test being administered, allowing for rapid decisions about patient care. POC tests can also extend testing to communities and populations that cannot readily access care. POC tests are used to diagnose COVID-19 in various settings, such as:
- Physician offices
- Urgent care facilities
- Pharmacies
- School health clinics
- Long-term care facilities and nursing homes
- Temporary locations, such as drive-through sites managed by local organizations
Summary: This CDC Web resource provides guidance on the regulatory requirements for SARS-CoV-2 POC testing, using POC tests safely, and information on reporting POC test results.
Regulatory Requirements for POC Testing
Who can do POC testing?
Sites that perform POC testing are required to have a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) certificate; find information in this brochurepdf iconexternal icon. There are four different types of CLIA certificates, any one of which is appropriate for POC testing. See this Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) documentpdf iconexternal icon that describes the different types of CLIA certificates. A CLIA Certificate of Waiver is appropriate for POC testing and can be obtained as follows:
- Complete an application (Form CMS-116pdf iconexternal icon), available on the CMS CLIA websiteexternal icon or from a local State Agency.
- Send the completed application to the address of the local State Agencyexternal icon for the state where testing will be performed.
- Pay the CLIA Certificate of Waiver fee, following instructions provided by the State Agency.
See How to Obtain a CLIA Certificate of Waiverpdf iconexternal icon for more information. POC testing may be performed after the laboratory or testing site has received a CLIA certificate number.
The laboratory or testing site must keep its certificate information current. The State Agency should be notified of any changes to the laboratory or testing site ownership, name, address, or director within 30 days.
What tests can be used for POC?
See the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website for a list of the SARS-CoV-2 POC tests that have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)external icon. Tests that have been authorized for use in a POC setting will have a W, for Waived, in the Authorized Settings column of the FDA table. The laboratory or testing site must use a test authorized for POC use by FDA and must follow the manufacturer’s instructions for each POC test. The instructions for use provide specific information on how to perform the test, which specimens can be used, and the individuals who may be tested. All of the currently authorized tests are authorized for use on symptomatic individuals. However, CMS has indicatedpdf iconexternal icon that CLIA will temporarily allow CLIA laboratories and other CLIA testing sites to use SARS-CoV-2 POC antigen tests on asymptomatic individuals for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
For more information and additional resources for POC testing, see CDC’s Waived Tests Web page.
On March 26, 2020, CMS issued a memorandumexternal icon for surveyors and laboratories, providing guidance that included expedited review of CLIA certificate applications during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Servicesexternal icon (CMS) allows a laboratory or testing site to use its existing Certificate of Waiver to operate a temporary COVID-19 testing site in an off-site location, such as a nursing home or drive-through location. A temporary COVID-19 testing site can only perform waived COVID-19 tests and must be under the direction of the existing laboratory or testing site director.
Specimen Collection & Handling of Point-of-Care Tests
There are many different FDA-authorized SARS-CoV-2 tests for POC settings. Each has been authorized for use with certain specimen types. Each POC test should only be used with its authorized specimen type. Proper specimen collection and handling is critical for all COVID-19 testing, including those tests performed at POC settings. A specimen that is not collected or handled correctly may lead to inaccurate or unreliable test results.
For personnel collecting specimens or working within 6 feet of patients suspected to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, maintain proper infection control and use recommended personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include an N95 or higher-level respirator (or face mask if a respirator is not available), eye protection, gloves, and a lab coat or gown.
For personnel who are handling specimens but not directly involved in collection (e.g., self-collection) and not working within 6 feet of the patient, follow Standard Precautions. It is recommended that personnel wear a form of source control (face mask) at all times while in the facility.
For additional general information about the proper collection and handling of each of the specimen types, please refer to CDC’s Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens for COVID-19.
In addition, CDC recommends the following practices when performing POC tests:
- Perform a risk assessment before testing to identify what could go wrong, such as breathing in infectious material or touching contaminated objects and surfaces. Then
- Decide what to do to prevent these negative outcomes from happening, and implement appropriate control measures.
- Find more information on Risk Assessment Best Practices and Risk Assessment templatespdf iconexternal icon.
- Learn more about CDC’s guidelines for safe handling and processing of COVID-19 samples.
- Follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions for performing the test in the exact order specified.
- Perform regular quality control and instrument calibration according to the manufacturer’s instructions. If quality control or calibration fails, identify and correct issues prior to proceeding with patient testing.
- Do not reuse used test devices, reagent tubes, solutions, or swabs.
- Discard tests and test components that have exceeded the expiration date or show signs of damage or discoloration (such as reagents showing any signs of alteration).
- Change gloves between specimen collection and after adding specimens to the testing device.
- Store reagents, specimens, kit contents, and test devices according to the manufacturer’s instructions, found in the package insert.
- Reagents, test devices, and cassettes should not be opened until the test process is about to occur. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to see how long a reagent, test device, or cassette can be used after opening.
- If the instrument allows for batch testing, develop a plan before testing begins to ensure that reagents, test device, cassette, and specimens are used within time periods specified by the test manufacturer.
- If using an instrument to perform testing, decontaminate the instrument after each use; follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for using an approved disinfectant, including proper dilution, contact time, and safe handling.
- Read and record results only within the amount of time specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not record results from tests that have not been read within the manufacturer’s specified timeframe.
- Handle laboratory waste from testing suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patient specimens as all other biohazardous waste in the laboratory. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest that laboratory waste needs additional packaging or disinfection procedures.
Laboratories and testing sites can find free, online training courses relevant to working with COVID-19 specimens on CDC’s Preparing and Supporting Laboratories Responding to COVID-19 Web page.
Help with Performing Point-of-Care Tests
CDC has free training and tools to help you learn the basics about performing POC testing. The companies that make the tests and testing systems also have free training resources designed to help you use the machines. Find links in this section to resources and training that will help you get ready to test.
CDC Educational Materials for Point of Care Testing
CDC has resources to help you understand “waived tests,” a category of tests that many COVID-19 POC tests fall into. Some of our free educational and training resources include:
- Ready? Set? Test!, an online training course that explains the waived testing process.
- A Ready? Set? Test! bookletpdf icon that contains tips, reminders, and resources along with forms and examples for use in your testing site (also available in Spanishpdf icon).
- A Self-Assessment Checklistpdf icon you can use to help assure good testing practices and provide reliable, high-quality test results.
- For general batch testing tips, view the COVID-19 Point-of-Care Batch Testing Tips Infographic pdf icon[2 MB, 2 Pages].
Visit CDC’s Waived Tests page for more information and resources.
Training Resources from Test Manufacturers for COVID-19 POC Testing
Below are links to trainings developed by manufacturers of COVID-19 testing devices. Linking to these resources does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site.
This list of tests and associated resources will be updated as more manufacturer-specific training links become available.
Abbott ID NOW™
Learn about the Abbott ID NOW™ testexternal icon and find training videos.
BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2
Learn about the BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2external icon and find training videos.
BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Test & NAVICA™ App
- Find BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card and NAVICA™ App consumer videos, training videos, training materials, helpful documents, BinaxNOW™ frequently asked questions, NAVICA™ APP, support contacts, and other helpful documents and references at BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card and NAVICA™ App Set-Up and Trainingexternal icon.
- Find live webinarsexternal icon for this product.
The manufacturer provides additional product support through the Abbott Rapid Diagnostics Technical Services Team: 1-800-257-9525 (select option 2) between 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST Monday – Friday. or by emailing ts.scr@abbott.com.
Cepheid™ Xpert® Xpress
Learn how to run the Cepheid™ Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 testexternal icon.
Cue™ COVID-19 Test
Find support for operating the Cue™ COVID-19 testexternal icon.
Note: Users may have trouble accessing the Cue™ link with Internet Explorer. For the best experience, Chrome or Edge are recommended.
LumiraDx
Learn how to run a LumiraDx SARS-CoV-2 Ag Testexternal icon.
Quidel Sofia® 2
- Find virtual training, live question and answer sessionsexternal icon for Sofia® SARS Antigen FIA (COVID-19) testing.
- Find on-demand trainingexternal icon that consists of eight illustrations, a 45-second video on Sofia® 2 cleaning and maintenance, and a quiz.
Lessons Learned
Below are links to lessons learned documents for select COVID-19 specific antigen tests. These documents are meant to help ensure these tests are performed correctly.
- BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2pdf icon
- BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Testpdf icon
- Quidel Sofia® 2pdf icon
Reporting Requirements for Point-of-Care Testing
A CLIA-certified laboratory or testing site must report all COVID-19 diagnostic and screening test results to the individual who was tested or that individual’s healthcare provider. Depending on the test manufacturer’s instructions for use, which can be found at FDA’s EUA websiteexternal icon, the laboratory or testing site may be required to report a negative test result as a “presumptive negative.”
A CLIA-certified laboratory or testing site must also report all COVID-19 test results to their respective state, local, tribal, or territorial health department in accordance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act; refer to the CMS interim final rule for regulatory reporting requirementspdf iconexternal icon. In addition, laboratories and testing sites can find out more about How to Report COVID-19 Laboratory Data.
CMS-certified long-term care facilities may submit point-of-care SARS-CoV-2 testing data, including antigen testing data, to CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). This CDC- and CMS-preferred pathway to submit data to CDC’s NHSN applies only to CMS-certified long-term care facilities. Test data submitted to NHSN will be reported to appropriate state and local health departments using standard electronic laboratory messages. Other types of LTC facilities may also report testing data in NHSN for self-tracking or to fulfill state or local reporting requirements, if any. While NHSN is the CDC- and CMS-preferred pathway, Medicare and Medicaid-certified LTC facilities may submit data through the other mechanisms described in the Current Methods of Submission section of HHS Laboratory Reporting Guidancepdf iconexternal icon to meet the reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions about POC Testing
Understanding and Using Standard Precautions
Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Disinfecting Work Surfaces
More Point-of-Care Resources
- Diagnostic, Screening, and Surveillance Testing for SARS-CoV-2
- Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2
- Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
- Considerations for Use of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Testing in Nursing Homes
- Performing Facility-wide SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Nursing Homes
- SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Fact Sheet: Guidance – Proposed Use of Point-of-Care (POC) Testing Platforms for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)pdf icon
- CMS COVID-19 FAQs on Medicare Fee-for-Service Billingpdf iconexternal icon
- CMS Guidance on SARS-CoV-2 Laboratory Testingexternal icon
- CMS FAQs on SARS-CoV-2 Surveillance Testingpdf iconexternal icon
- S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) FAQs on Testing for SARS-CoV-2external icon
- FDA COVID-19 Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for Medical Devicesexternal icon
- FDA Medical Device Reporting (MDR) Informationexternal icon
- Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) (6th edition)pdf icon
- Ready? Set? Test! posterpdf icon
- Ready? Set? Test! Booklet – Good Laboratory Practices for Waived Testing pdf icon
- Self-Assessment Checklist for Good Testing Practices for Sites that Perform Patient Testing under a CLIA Certificate of Waiver pdf icon
- Performing Broad-Based Testing for SARS-CoV-2 in Congregate Settings