Finding out your HIV status is the most important step in keeping you, and those you care about, safe.
Testing & Counseling
Florida continues to lead the nation in the number of HIV tests conducted. We have over 1,600 publicly-funded and registered testing sites around the state.
In 2021, the counseling, testing and linkage data team recorded over 223,000 HIV screening tests. Around 70% of these tests were conducted at sites using rapid test technologies.
HIV testing is provided in a number of locations, including:
Test. Talk. Take Control.
Find HIV testing locations, order a free at-home testing kit, or connect with resources.
- County health departments
- Non-profit community-based organizations
- Jails
- Hospitals
- Community health centers
- Mobile testing units
- Sexually transmitted disease clinics
- Outreach events and community venues
Testing for HIV is a powerful prevention tool. We know that when a person knows their HIV status, they will apply prevention measures with their partners and are more likely to enter into and remain in medical care.
In 2012, Florida changed HIV testing procedures for blood and plasma specimens by upgrading to a 4th generation screening test and replacing western blot with a newer confirmatory test. A cutting-edge test that looks for HIV itself, not the antibodies, was added to the procedure for samples that are positive for the 4th generation but not positive on the new confirmatory test.
This new system allows for earlier diagnosis and gives us the incredible chance to get people into care sooner, ultimately leading to better health outcomes and reduced transmission.
Perinatal HIV Prevention
Theย Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act (TOPWA)ย was created in 1999 to reach pregnant women who have HIV and high-risk pregnant women who are not receiving services. TOPWA programs help underserved women access the medical and social services needed to lower their risk of substance use or of acquiring or transmitting HIV. TOPWA outreach workers go into untraditional venues/locations in high-risk communities to identify and enroll pregnant women who have not yet accessed adequate care and treatment.
There are funded TOPWA programs located in eight Florida counties: Broward, Duval, Hillsborough, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and St Lucie. Any pregnant substance using woman with or at risk of acquiring HIV is eligible to receive TOPWA services. In addition to accessing prenatal care, women enrolled in TOPWA can receive assistance with HIV testing, family planning services, enrollment in ADAP or Medicaid, and HIV prevention and education.