Looking for STD testing in St. Louis? You’ve got options. Whether you need a quick HIV test, a full STD panel, or just peace of mind, St. Louis offers several trusted places where you can get tested—many of them for free or at a very low cost. From walk-in clinics to at-home kits, here’s a guide to finding the right STD Tests in St. Louis to fit for your needs:
Health Stop STL
Free STD Testing in St. Louis: The Health Stop Testing and Referral Center in St. Louis (run by the City Department of Health) offers confidential HIV and STI testing at no cost. This clinic is located at 1520 Market Street in downtown St. Louis and is open Monday through Thursday for walk-ins and appointments. At Health Stop, you can get tested for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and even hepatitis C without needing to show ID or pay a fee. The staff will have you fill out some basic paperwork (you can even use a nickname if you prefer, as they do not require ID), and then a counselor or nurse will discuss which tests you need. They typically test for multiple STDs in one visit (often offering the full panel of HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc.). The testing process is very user-friendly: expect a finger-prick blood test for HIV (rapid results), possibly another finger stick or small blood draw for syphilis/hepatitis, and providing a urine sample or swabs for chlamydia/gonorrhea. Health Stop STL is especially great if you’re uninsured or worried about cost – everything is free. Plus, if any of your tests come back positive, they will help refer you to treatment services. They also give out free
condoms and can connect you to PrEP (the HIV prevention pill) if you’re interested. This is a cornerstone resource in the city for STD testing, so definitely consider Health Stop STL as a first choice.
St. Louis County Sexual Health Clinic
For those looking for STD tests in St. Louis County, the Department of Public Health operates a Sexual Health Clinic (with locations such as the North Central Community Health Center in Pine Lawn and the South County Health Center) that provides STD testing and treatment. All services are walk-in, first-come, first-served, and no out-of-pocket cost is required. This clinic will test and treat you for STDs on the spot if you have an infection (they have antibiotics available, etc.). It’s a very convenient one-stop clinic. You don’t need to be a county resident; anyone can use the clinic. Typically, you’ll register when you arrive (you may need to give a name, but they serve uninsured folks regularly) and wait your turn to see a nurse. They will discuss which tests you need and collect samples similar to other clinics. The benefit here is that if you have symptoms or a known exposure, the county clinic can provide free medication the same day if you test positive or even before results if something is very likely. They also have after-care and partner notification services. The St. Louis County Sexual Health Clinic is a superb option for free, comprehensive STD testing and treatment.
Planned Parenthood and Federally Qualified Health Centers
Planned Parenthood Great Rivers (formerly Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri) offers STD testing in St. Louis for all genders. While not always free, they use a sliding scale and accept insurance, Medicaid, etc. If you’re on a tight budget, let them know – there are often programs or discounts that can make tests low-cost or no-cost. Planned Parenthood is a trusted provider for sexual health, so you can expect knowledgeable staff and nonjudgmental care. They can test for everything, including providing Pap smears for HPV. Similarly, Affinia Healthcare (which has clinics in St. Louis City) and CareSTL Health are community health centers that offer STD testing as part of primary care. If you already use one of those clinics for other healthcare, you can ask for STD tests there. These centers may charge based on income if you’re uninsured, but they won’t turn anyone away for inability to pay. It might not be free like the health department, but it could be very low-cost.
Vivent Health (formerly St. Louis Effort for AIDS)
Vivent Health is an HIV/AIDS service organization in St. Louis that provides free HIV testing and some STD testing. They are located at 2653 Locust Street in Midtown. Vivent Health focuses onHIV, so they offer rapid HIV tests and also hepatitis C testing, and often will test for syphilis as well (since those tests use the same blood sample). They may not do chlamydia/gonorrhea on-site (they might refer to the health department for that), but they are a friendly environment and can be another option for at least HIV testing. They also offer PrEP services and have a clinic for people living with HIV. If you go to an outreach event by Vivent (like at a fair or bar), they often have a mobile testing van. So, keep an eye out for Vivent Health in the community offering testing events.
University Student Health Centers
If you are a student at a college or university in St. Louis (such as Washington University, Saint Louis University, UMSL, etc.), your campus health center likely provides STD testing for students. Often it’s free or billed to your student health fee. Campus clinics are used to address STD concerns from students and typically provide testing for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc., and can do Pap smears for HPV. This can be a convenient and discreet way to get tested in an environment geared toward young adults. Some community colleges also have partnerships or referral programs for STD testing.
At-Home Testing Kits
Another option is to use at-home STD test kits. For example, as mentioned earlier, Health Stop STL can provide a free at-home HIV test kit (oral swab) that you take yourself. There are also online services where you can order kits to test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and others by mail. However, be cautious: ensure any at-home testing service is legitimate and CLIA-certified. The advantage of at-home kits is privacy, but the downside is that typically you have to pay out of pocket and then follow up with a doctor if something is positive. In Missouri, the TakeMeHome program (through the CDC) allows you to order free HIV test kits online. For comprehensive STD panels, companies like Everlywell, LetsGetChecked, etc., operate in Missouri, but those will cost money. If privacy is a concern, remember that the St. Louis clinics listed above keep your testing confidential and often don’t require ID, so you can get the anonymity you want even at a clinic, plus the benefit of counseling and immediate treatment if needed.
No matter your budget, location, or insurance status, there’s a testing option in St. Louis for you.
Taking charge of your sexual health is easier than ever thanks to local clinics, community
centers, and mobile testing programs. Don’t wait for symptoms—get tested regularly and
encourage your partners to do the same. Your health is worth it.
