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Point-of-Care Testing Training Resources
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 quick decisions about patient care. POC tests can also extend testing to communities and populations that cannot readily access care.
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 you might have at your testing site.
Find links on this page to resources and training that will help you get ready to test.
CDC has resources to help you understand tests called “waived tests,” a category of tests that many COVID-19 rapid antigen 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! booklet that contains tips, reminders, and resources along with forms and examples for use in your testing site (also available in Spanish).
- A Self-Assessment Checklist you can use to help assure good testing practices and reliable, high-quality test results.
Visit CDC’s Waived Tests page for more information and resources.
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.
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, references at BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card and NAVICA™ App Set-Up and Training.
- Find live webinars 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.
Quidel Sofia® 2
- Find virtual training, live question and answer sessions for ofia® SARS Antigen FIA (COVID-19) testing.
- Find on-demand training that consists of eight illustrations, a 45-second video on Sofia® 2 cleaning and maintenance, and a quiz.
BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2
Learn about the BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 and find training videos.
Below are links to lessons learned documents for COVID-19 specific antigen tests. These documents are meant to help ensure these tests are performed correctly.
BinaxNOW™ COVID-19 Ag Card Test
Quidel Sofia® 2
BD Veritor™ System for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2
- CDC’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) website
- Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Point-of-Care Testing
- Reporting Requirements for Point-of-Care Testing
- Interim Guidance for Rapid Antigen Testing for SARS-CoV-2
- Diagnostic, Screening, and Surveillance Testing for SARS-CoV-2
- CDC’s Laboratory Outreach Communication System (LOCS)
- Register for CDC Health Alert Network (HAN) notifications, including updates about COVID-19. Enter your email address, search for HAN, and sign up
- CDC’s Laboratory Training website with free online courses