HIV Testing

Guidelines for HIV testing continue to evolve with changes in testing technology and methods to reach persons who can benefit from these services. The listed documents provide the most updated CDC guidelines on HIV testing for testing providers, program managers; and laboratory personnel.

Guidelines

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Current Guidelines Some sections may be out-of-date. Out of date/Superseded
Check mark icon indicating Current Guidelines
Exclaimation mark icon indicating Some sections may be out-of-date. Use with caution.
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guidelines
Title and Description Publication Year Status
Recommendations for HIV Screening of Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men — United States, 2017
This MMWR policy note provides an update on CDC’s initiative to assess the benefits and harms associated with more frequent screening of MSM.
2017 Check mark icon indicating Current Guidelines
Revised Recommendations for HIV Testing of Adults, Adolescents, and Pregnant Women in Health Care Settings
Provides recommendations on routine, opt-out HIV screening of adults, adolescents, and pregnant women in health care settings in the United States.
2006 Check mark icon indicating Current Guidelines
Laboratory Testing for the Diagnosis of HIV Infection: Updated Recommendations
Provides updated recommendations for HIV testing by laboratories in the United States and describes approaches for reporting test results to persons ordering HIV tests and to public health authorities.

Supporting Documents

2014 Check mark icon indicating Current Guidelines
HIV Infection: Detection, Counseling, and Referral, 2015 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines
Provides HIV screening recommendations for persons who seek evaluation and treatment for STDs.
2015 Check mark icon indicating Current Guidelines
PHS Guideline for Reducing Human Immunodeficiency Virus, Hepatitis B Virus, and Hepatitis C Virus Transmission Through Organ Transplantation
Provides recommendations on testing of living and deceased donors.
2020 Check mark icon indicating Current Guidelines
Revised Guidelines for HIV Counseling, Testing, and Referral
Provides recommendations on testing in nonclinical settings.
Note: Information on HIV testing may not be consistent with latest technologies.
2001 Exclaimation mark icon indicating Some sections may be out-of-date. Use with caution.

Implementation Resources

The following documents and webpages contain information, tools, resources and practice examples developed or funded by CDC to support implementation of guidelines

Implementation Resources
Title and Description Publication
Year
Status
Nonclinical Settings
Implementing HIV Testing in Nonclinical Settings: A Guide for HIV Testing Providers
Grantee guidance to support the implementation of HIV testing services in nonclinical settings in the United States. The purpose of the guide is to familiarize providers with key programmatic issues and updates that impact HIV testing service delivery in nonclinical settings.
2016 Check mark icon indicating Current Guidelines
HIV Testing in Nonclinical Settings
A CDC webpage that provides information and resources for providers and public on HIV testing in nonclinical settings.
2016 Check mark icon indicating Current Guidelines
Planning and Implementing HIV Testing and Linkage Programs in Nonclinical Settings: A Guide for Program Managers
Supports planning, implementation, and evaluation of HIV testing and linkage services in non-clinical settings.
Note: Information on HIV testing may not be consistent with latest technologies.
2014 Exclaimation mark icon indicating Some sections may be out-of-date. Use with caution.
Evaluation Guide for HIV Testing and Linkage Programs in Nonclinical Settings
Serves as a companion resource to the Planning and Implementing HIV Testing and Linkage Programs in Non-Clinical Settings: A Guide for Program Managers. Provides information, exercises, and tools to design and implement a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategy for HIV testing and linkage programs in non-clinical settings.
Note: Information on HIV testing may not be consistent with latest technologies.
2012 Exclaimation mark icon indicating Some sections may be out-of-date. Use with caution.
Clinical Settings
HIV Testing in Clinical Settings
A CDC webpage that provides information and resources for providers and public on HIV testing in nonclinical settings.
HIV Testing in Emergency Departments (Health Research and Education Trust)
Practical guide to different approaches, considerations, and resources for making HIV testing routine in ED care.
Note: Information on HIV testing may not be consistent with latest technologies.
2009 Exclaimation mark icon indicating Some sections may be out-of-date. Use with caution.
HIV Testing in Emergency Departments (Health Research and Education Trust)
Practical guide to different approaches, considerations, and resources for making HIV testing routine in ED care.
Note: Information on HIV testing may not be consistent with latest technologies.
2011 Exclaimation mark icon indicating Some sections may be out-of-date. Use with caution.
Implementation of Routine HIV Testing in Health Care Settings: Issues for Community Health Centers
Jointly developed by CDC and The National Association of Community Health Centers, Inc. (NACHC), the document provides model, tools, and resources that health centers or primary care entity can use to rapidly launch routine HIV screening during the planning and implementation stages.
Note: Information on HIV testing may not be consistent with latest technologies.
2011 Exclaimation mark icon indicating Some sections may be out-of-date. Use with caution.

Out-of-Date/Superseded Guidelines

To be used for historic purposes only.