This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Getting an HIV test in Minneapolis can be a simple, private visit. Several clinics in the city offer HIV testing, and some offer rapid tests that give a first result during the same appointment.

This guide walks you through the process in order. You will see what to bring, how to pick a place, which kind of test fits your timing, what happens at the visit, and what the possible results mean. Where a fact depends on the clinic, the guide says so and points you to the clinic itself.

Minnesota has seen a steady number of new diagnoses. A September 2025 KTTC news report, citing the Minnesota Department of Health, said 311 people in Minnesota were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2024, a 4% decrease from 2023. Testing is how people learn their status, and HIV is treatable with care from a clinician.

What You Need Before You Go

You do not need much. A short list helps the visit go smoothly.

A phone and a calendar. You will use them to call the clinic and to note the date of your most recent possible exposure.
Photo ID, if you have one. Ask the clinic whether it is required. Policies vary.
Insurance card or Medicaid information, if you have it. Several clinics accept insurance. Some also offer sliding scale or free options.
A list of questions. Examples: Is the test free? How long until I get results? Who contacts me if the result is reactive?
A little time. A rapid test itself is quick, but the full visit may include a short conversation and paperwork.
A way for the clinic to reach you. This matters if a blood sample goes to a lab and results come later.

Cost should not stop you from going. Several Minneapolis clinics say they do not turn people away because they cannot pay. Details are below.

Step 1: Understand the Main Types of HIV Tests

The CDC describes three main types of HIV tests. Knowing the difference helps you choose, and helps you understand what a result can and cannot tell you.

Antibody tests

An antibody test looks for the proteins your body makes in response to HIV. Most rapid tests and most self-tests are antibody tests. The CDC says antibody tests on blood from a vein can usually detect HIV 23 to 90 days after an exposure. The CDC says tests using blood from a finger stick or oral fluid take longer to detect HIV than tests using blood from a vein.

Antigen/antibody tests

An antigen/antibody test looks for both antibodies and a part of the virus called p24. The CDC says an antigen/antibody lab test on blood from a vein can usually detect HIV 18 to 45 days after an exposure. The CDC says a rapid antigen/antibody test done with a finger stick can usually detect HIV 18 to 90 days after an exposure.

Nucleic acid tests (NAT, or RNA tests)

A NAT looks for the virus itself in the blood. The CDC says a NAT can usually detect HIV 10 to 33 days after an exposure. These tests are not used for routine screening. A clinician may suggest one after a recent possible exposure or if there are early symptoms.

The CDC pages on HIV testing have the full details. You can read them at the CDC HIV testing page.

Step 2: Think Through Your Timing

A window period is the time between a possible exposure and when a test can find HIV. A test taken inside that window may not be able to detect an infection yet.

Take a moment to count the days since your most recent possible exposure. Then compare that number with the CDC windows above. Some people find it helpful to write the date down before calling a clinic.

The CDC says that if you test within the window period, a clinician may recommend testing again later. A clinician can help you choose the right test and the right time for a follow-up test.

If your possible exposure was in the last 72 hours, tell a clinician right away. The CDC says post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a medicine that a clinician prescribes to help prevent HIV after a possible exposure, and it must be started within 72 hours. Do not wait for a routine appointment. Call a clinic, an urgent care or an emergency department and say you are asking about PEP.

Step 3: Choose Where to Get Tested

Minneapolis has several options. The clinics below come from the CDC GetTested directory and from each clinic's own pages. Hours, walk-in policies and costs can change, so call before you go. You can also browse the local testing list or search the CDC's directory at gettested.cdc.gov.

Hennepin County Public Health Clinic / Red Door Clinic

This clinic is at 525 Portland Avenue South, 4th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55415. The phone number for appointments and results is 612-543-5555. The Red Door website at reddoorclinic.org lists STI testing, HIV testing, PrEP and doxy-PEP.

Hours listed are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Red Door site says walk-ins are first-come, first-served. The Hennepin County page names appointments as its stated method and recommends calling early for same-day appointments. Call to find out what works on the day you want to go.

On cost, the Hennepin County page says the clinic accepts most insurance and self-pay, and says no one will be turned away due to inability to pay. It also says lab work is billed separately by Hennepin Healthcare and co-pays may apply. Ask about your total cost when you call.

Thrive Clinic (The Aliveness Project)

Thrive is at 3808 Nicollet Ave, Lower Level, Minneapolis, MN 55409. The Aliveness Project's page at aliveness.org lists a rapid HIV test, and also lists syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and treatment. The page gives the phone number (612) 369-7494. Hours listed are Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The page says no client is turned away due to an inability to pay. It does not say whether walk-ins are accepted, and it says to call or email to access services. The CDC GetTested listing for the Aliveness Project lists free HIV tests and says an appointment is not required, but it shows a different phone number, (612) 822-7946. Because the two sources differ, call to confirm before you go.

Hennepin Healthcare Whittier Clinic and Pharmacy

This clinic is at 2810 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408, phone (612) 873-6963. The CDC GetTested listing shows both rapid and blood draw HIV tests. It says insurance and Medicaid are accepted. Hours are not listed there, so check with the clinic.

Planned Parenthood North Central States, Minneapolis Health Center

This center is at 1200 Lagoon Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408, phone (612) 823-6300. The CDC GetTested listing shows rapid and blood draw HIV tests. It says insurance, Medicaid and a sliding scale are accepted. Hours are not listed there, so check with the center.

Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC)

CUHCC is at 2001 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404, phone 612-301-3433. The CDC GetTested listing shows rapid and blood draw HIV tests, a sliding scale, and that an appointment is required. The CUHCC website at cuhcc.umn.edu lists hours of Monday through Friday, 7:05 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., but the site does not mention STI testing, so call to confirm that HIV testing is available when you want to go.

NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center

NorthPoint is at 2220 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411, phone (612) 543-2500. The CDC GetTested listing shows an HIV blood draw test. It says insurance and Medicaid are accepted, there is a sliding scale, and eligibility is by contacting the organization. Hours are not listed there.

Native American Community Clinic (NACC)

NACC is at 1213 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404, phone (612) 872-8086. The CDC GetTested listing shows HIV (blood draw) and hepatitis C testing. It says insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and a sliding scale are accepted. Hours are not listed there.

Step 4: Call and Ask the Right Questions

A short call saves a trip. You can be brief. Many people start with, "I would like an HIV test. What do you offer and what does it cost?"

Useful questions include:

Do you offer a rapid HIV test, a blood draw test, or both?
Is the test free for me? If not, what would I pay?
Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in?
How long until I get my results, and how will I get them?
Can I be tested for other STIs at the same visit?
Do you offer PrEP or can you refer me for it?

If you are under 18, you can still be tested. Minn. Stat. 144.343, from the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, says any minor may give effective consent for health services to determine the presence of or to treat venereal disease, and that the consent of no other person is required. The statute states no minimum age. Ask the clinic about its own process for minors.

Step 5: Take the Test

At the visit, a staff member will explain what to expect. They may ask about your health, your recent exposures and your goals. You can answer only what you are comfortable with, and you can ask them to explain anything.

The process depends on the test.

Rapid test with a finger stick or oral swab. A small blood drop or a swab of the mouth is used. The CDC says rapid tests give results in 30 minutes or less.
Blood draw. A sample is taken from a vein and sent to a lab. Results usually take longer. Ask the clinic how long.

You can ask for a support person to sit with you, or ask for a quiet moment before you hear the result. Clinics that offer HIV testing are used to these requests.

Step 6: Understand Your Result

Results can feel big no matter what they say. Here is what each kind generally means, in the CDC's terms. Only a clinician or a lab can interpret your specific result.

A non-reactive (negative) result

A non-reactive result means the test did not detect HIV at that time. If your test was within the window period for that test, the CDC says a clinician may recommend testing again later. Ask the clinic when a repeat test would make sense for you.

A reactive result on a rapid test

The CDC calls this a preliminary positive. It means more testing is needed to know what is going on. It is not a final answer on its own.

The CDC recommends a follow-up testing sequence. The follow-up can include a lab test that tells apart the two types of HIV and, if needed, a nucleic acid test. A clinician or counselor will arrange this. At a clinic, the next step is often a blood draw done the same day or soon after.

If follow-up testing confirms HIV, a clinician can connect you to care. HIV is not curable, but it is treatable. The CDC says that with treatment prescribed by a clinician, people with HIV can live long, healthy lives. Clinicians prescribe the medicine and decide what is right for each person.

An unclear or invalid result

Sometimes a test cannot be read or needs to be repeated. That is a testing issue, not a verdict. The clinic will tell you the next step.

Reporting

Minn. R. 4605.7040, from the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes, lists HIV infection, including AIDS, as reportable within one working day. This is a public health reporting rule. Ask the clinic how it handles your information and what is shared.

Free Home Testing: What Is and Is Not Confirmed

TakeMeHome is a national free HIV and STI home testing program. Its FAQ at takemehome.org says availability depends on ZIP code. The page does not mention Minnesota, so this guide cannot confirm that kits are available in Minneapolis. The FAQ says rapid HIV oral swab tests are approved for ages 14 and up, and fingerstick tests for ages 18 and up.

The CDC notes that a reactive self-test needs follow-up testing with a clinician. Self-tests also have window periods. If you use one, plan a visit to a clinic for follow-up if the result is reactive.

Expected Results: What to Realistically Expect

No test is perfect. The CDC says HIV tests are highly accurate when used correctly, but results depend on the test type and on timing.

A rapid test can give a first result in the same visit, but a reactive rapid result needs follow-up testing.
A non-reactive result may be less informative if the test was taken during the window period.
Lab-based antigen/antibody tests on blood from a vein can generally detect HIV earlier than rapid finger-stick or oral tests, according to the CDC.
A clinician can tell you which test fits your situation and when to repeat it.

Tips for a Smoother Visit

Call early in the day. The Hennepin County page recommends calling early for same-day appointments.
Ask about other tests at the same visit. Several clinics above also list chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis testing. Minn. R. 4605.7040 lists chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis as reportable within one working day, which is a routine part of public health.
Ask about PrEP. The Red Door site and Thrive list PrEP among their services. PrEP is a medicine a clinician prescribes to help prevent HIV.
Bring a friend if it helps. Many people feel calmer with someone nearby.
Write down your next steps. Note any repeat testing date before you leave.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Testing without thinking about timing. A test taken too soon may not detect a recent infection. Note your exposure date.
Assuming one reactive rapid result is final. The CDC says follow-up testing is needed.
Assuming a clinic is free without asking. Costs vary. Some clinics say they do not turn people away for inability to pay, but lab work or co-pays may be billed.
Showing up without calling. Hours, walk-in policies and appointment rules differ, and some listings conflict. A quick call avoids a wasted trip.
Waiting on PEP. If a possible exposure was in the last 72 hours, ask about PEP right away.
Skipping repeat testing when a clinician suggests it. Repeat tests exist because of window periods.

Next Steps

Pick a clinic from the list, call, and book a time. If your first choice has no opening, try another. The CDC GetTested directory lets you search by ZIP code for more places, and the Minneapolis Health Department also publishes information at its health page. The department's own sexual health page was not available when this guide was written, so check with the department for the latest local programs.

Testing is a routine part of health care. Whatever your gender, orientation or relationship status, a clinician can help you decide when and how to test.

Free and Rapid HIV Testing in Minneapolis