COVID-19 Testing Sites

Who is eligible:

• The site is open to all Minnesotans who believe they need a COVID-19 test, whether you have symptoms or not.
• The testing is free for Minnesotans and does not require an ID or insurance. If you are from out-of-state, the test costs $94.
• If you do have insurance, bring your card, as the state will try to recover costs from the insurer, if possible.

How the testing works:

• The clinic offers two testing options: saliva testing and rapid antigen testing.
  1. Saliva testing requires minimal interaction with clinic staff and less equipment than typical COVID testing sites.
     • Don’t eat, drink, chew or smoke anything for at least 30 minutes prior to providing your sample.
     • At the clinic, a funnel is attached to a small tube, which you spit into until it’s full enough for a sample. You then remove the funnel and close the tube with a plug.
     • This process will take about 15 minutes.
     • You will receive test results via email within approximately 24-72 hours from processing.
  2. Rapid testing results will be available on-site within approximately 15-30 minutes of processing.
     • Rapid testing is an antigen test. Antigen tests look for specific proteins on the surface of the virus and produce results more quickly than other tests.
     • This test is conducted with a nasal swab.

Test-to-Treat:

• MSP Airport is now a community test-to-treat site.
  • At community test-to-treat sites, Minnesotans can get tested for COVID-19 and, if positive and determined to be high-risk, receive a prescription for medication at the same time.
  • Patients who test positive via a rapid antigen test will be assessed by a clinician on-site. If you are eligible for treatment, you can receive a prescription for COVID-19 pills. Only patients deemed high-risk by the clinician will receive a prescription for Paxlovid.
  • Minnesotans seeking medication at community test-to-treat sites should be prepared to provide details of their medical history, particularly their current medications, to the on-site clinician.
  • COVID-19 therapeutics are not right for everyone, but they can reduce sever illness or risk of hospitalization among patients who are unvaccinated, elderly, or have other risk factors. Learn more about COVID-19 medication on the Treatments page at mn.gov/covid19.

Hours and location:

• The airport COVID-19 testing site at Terminal 1 is open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• The testing site is located in the lobby area on Level 2 of the Blue Ramp.
• Parking will be available for all seeking a COVID-19 test:
  • Drive to Terminal 1 (4300 Glumack Drive, 55111) and into the entry plaza for the parking ramps. Signs will guide you from the inbound roadway to the clinic location itself.
  • Take a ticket and follow signage to Level 2 in the Blue Ramp. Enter via lanes designated for COVID-19 testing.
  • Walk to the centrally located elevator lobby. Follow signs to the testing site.
  • Staff at the clinic will provide a parking validation ticket, good for up to two hours. Use that ticket when you exit. Parking on this level is for COVID-19 testing only. Overnight parking is not allowed.
• Face masks are required at Vault testing sites.
• Motorcycle parking is currently unavailable at MSP.

Reservations are encouraged

• Instructions for making a reservation – and other details about the State’s testing program  – are located at this web page. The testing site will also welcome walk-ins with no appointment

Are there any costs associated with this test?

Yes. You are responsible for paying for the costs of this COVID-19 screening; your insurer will not be billed.

Can I walk-in and get tested without an appointment?

We highly recommend you make an appointment. If you show up onsite without an appointment we may be able to accept you for a test but we cannot guarantee it.

How long does it take to get tested?

Once you have made an appointment time, paid, and received a confirmation of your registration, please check-in within 5 minutes of your appointment time. We will swab your nose within 5 minutes and you are done with us. You will receive your results via email and text about an hour after you are swabbed.

Do you take insurance?

We do not take insurance at this site, but you may be able to submit your receipt to your provider for reimbursement.

What tests do you offer?

We offer two test types - A rapid Molecular Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAAT) test, and a rapid Antigen test

Which test should I take for the country/state I’m going to?

Country and state Covid testing requirements are constantly changing, so you must carefully read the requirements and find a test that meets those requirements.

What is the Antigen Test best for?

The Sophia 2 Antigen test factsheet can be found here.

What is the NAAT Test best for?

The Abbott ID Now Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology test factsheet can be found here.

What happens if I test negative at the airport?

A negative test result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in your sample.

However, it is possible for this test to give a negative result that is incorrect (false negative) in some people with COVID-19. You might test negative if the sample was collected early during your infection. You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after your sample was collected and then have become infected. If at any time you experience symptoms of COVID-19 contact your healthcare provider.

What happens if I test positive at the airport?

If you test positive, please return to your test facility for follow-up testing. A medical professional will also contact you (via phone, text or email), usually within a few hours. They will ask you about your symptoms, discuss obtaining an additional swab for follow-up testing, and will recommend follow up with your health care provider if you are having symptoms. You will have the opportunity for a follow-up test. If a second test returns a positive result, we will provide this information to the state and local health departments as required by law, along with your airline which will provide further information and resources for you.

Can I get a PCR test here?

The Abbott ID Now is a Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology test, which is the same technology as a PCR test - but is not specifically a PCR test. Some destinations may not allow this test if they require a PCR test.

How long to get my results?

You will receive your results about an hour after we receive your sample