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COVID-19 Testing at AU

AU is now providing Rapid Tests for all members of our community, free of charge.

Our third-party vendor, Shield T-3, has decided to discontinue their COVID test vending machine operations at university campuses across the country, which includes AU. On December 18, the machines, which have been dispensing antigen COVID tests across campus, will be removed from all university buildings.

Beginning Monday, December 18 and until May 10, we will continue to provide free COVID tests to our community. Until that time, antigen tests will be available for pick-up during business hours at the following locations Monday-Friday:

  • Main Campus – Student Health Center, McCabe Hall: 8 am - 5 pm
  • Washington College of Law – Information Desk, Warren Building: 8:30 am- 5 pm
  • 4401 Connecticut Avenue - WAMU Reception Desk: 9 am - 2 pm

Please take your COVID Rapid Test outside, away from shared spaces. For any questions, please contact covidhealth@american.edu.

Antigen ("Rapid") Tests

An antigen test, also called a "rapid" or "at-home" test, takes 15 minutes to perform. Use a self-administered antigen test, instead of a PCR test, if you have tested positive with COVID within the past 90 days. (This is because a PCR test, which is more sensitive, could pick up dead viruses - meaning you could test positive for up to 90 days even after recovery.)

COVID 19 Guide