Information for Testing Providers and Partners

NCDHHS is partnering with community organizations for test distribution. Organizations willing to open their doors to the public to distribute free tests can register to become Community Access Points.

At Community Access Points, individuals over the age of 14 can pick up 10 tests per person, per visit. No reporting or documentation is required, and tests must be provided free of charge.

NOTE: Organizations that are unable to open their doors to the public (e.g. domestic violence shelters, K12 schools) can still order free tests: Order online.

If your organization already receives free COVID-19 tests from NCDHHS, please use this survey to register as a Community Access Point. 

If your organization has never ordered free COVID-19 tests from NCDHHS, please use this survey to register as a Community Access Point AND order tests.

Review the Onboarding presentation for more details.

There are flyers, fact sheets and social media graphics available for download in our COVID-19 Communications toolkit.  

Please share the resources on our website including COVID-19 Testing FAQs, How to Test at Home, and our Test Finder Map. 

All tests from NCDHHS must be provided for free to the public. Organizations are not allowed to charge residents any fees, charges, or exchange of services for the tests. 

• Assisted Living Facilities, Long-Term Care Facilities, Adult Care Homes and/or PACE Programs, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Home Care Agency or Hospice Agency or Provider       
• Community Based Organization, Community Health Worker Program or Agency, Healthier Together       
• First Responders (Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Department, Law Enforcement Agency), Corrections Facility and/or Detention Center, Emergency Medical Services     
• K12 School, Summer Camp (Day or Overnight), Childcare/Preschools       
• Local Health Department, NC Free and Charitable Clinic, Rural Health Clinics, Tribal Health Clinics, Disproportionate Share Hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC), Behavioral Health Facility Service Providers        

During a surge in COVID-19 cases, NCDHHS may expand this partner list to ensure accessibility and reduce any supply chain barriers. Please submit a ticket to the NCDHHS COVID-19 Testing and Treatment Inquiry intake form for updates on the shipping address.

The order period closes every Monday at 10 a.m. EST. Tests are shipped the following Tuesday – Thursday.  

For your first order, please order enough tests for at least six weeks or more if storage capacity is available. 

Download Ordering Calendar through June 2023

Please Note: NCDHHS free rapid antigen test distribution will end on June 30, 2023. The last day to order tests is Monday, June 26, 2023. 

• Store tests in a locked, climate-controlled room with approaching expiration dates visible, so that you can easily access them. 
• Please check the tests’ expiration dates. Use the tests that are close to expiring first. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) extended the shelf-life of some at-home tests. Check test expiration dates here.
• The most up-to-date information on storage can be found on the FDA website. 

No, the order periods will remain weekly. Currently, we are unable to facilitate emergency ordering periods. If you notice an uptick in cases, please increase your normal ordering quantity.  

For your first order, please order enough tests for at least six weeks or more if storage capacity is available. Currently, we are unable to facilitate emergency ordering periods. If you notice an uptick in cases, please increase your normal ordering quantity. 

A standard shipping box may contain 50-200 tests depending on the brand. Pallets normally have more than 8,000-12,000 tests. Organization must be able to receive a pallet if they order more than 8,000 tests. 

Your testing coordinator, order point-of-contact, and delivery point-of contact will receive the following email confirmations: 

1. Within 24 Hours - Confirmation that your test request has been received  
2. End of Ordering Period – After the ordering period closes, confirmation that your test request has been approved. *Includes information on test quantity and type 
3. Shipping Email – Facilities will receive an email from FedEx with tracking number.  

Please submit a ticket to the NCDHHS COVID-19 Testing and Treatment Inquiry intake form for updates on the shipping address.

Please visit the COVID-19 Test Finder Map. 

Please use our survey to add or update a CAP listing. 

If your organization is providing the test for free use in the community, you can continue to order FREE COVID-19 Tests. NCDHHS understands not all organization are the right fit for the Community Access Point program.  

There are no reporting requirements when receiving FREE COVID-19 At-Home Tests from NCDHHS. All organizations must complete an attestation form attesting that they will provide the test for free in the community.  

NCDHHS confirms that your organization has received an order of at-home tests in the past 60 days.  

• If you organization has a recent order, your information will be added to the COVID-19 Test Finder webpage on Tuesday or Thursday by end of day.  
• If you have never received tests from NCDHHS, you will receive an email with more information on how to place.  
• If you have recently placed an order, NCDHHS will upload your information to the COVID-19 Test Finder webpage once your tests have arrived.  

If you find that your organization has expired tests after checking the website for extended dating, expired tests may be disposed of with regular waste. NCDHHS cannot accept returns of expired tests. You can order additional tests here.