Free STD Testing in Minneapolis: Every Free and Sliding-Scale Option

Getting tested is a routine part of health care. It is also easier to arrange than many people expect.

This guide walks you through free STD testing in Minneapolis, step by step. It covers which clinics offer free or sliding-scale care, what to bring, what to ask, and what your results may mean.

Some clinics here say plainly that no one is turned away because they cannot pay. Others use a sliding scale, which means the price depends on your income. A few details are not published, and this guide says so when that happens.

What "free" and "sliding scale" mean here

People often ask about free STD testing and mean several different things. Sorting them out first saves time.

• Free: there is no charge for the test itself. This is sometimes limited to certain tests, such as HIV.
• Sliding scale: the clinic adjusts the fee based on income and household size. You usually need to share some information to qualify.
• Pay what you can: some clinics state that they will not turn anyone away for inability to pay. The exact amount, if any, is set by the clinic.
• Insurance-based: your plan, Medicaid or Medicare may cover the visit. Co-pays or separate lab bills can still apply.

The Minneapolis clinics below fall into different groups. Prices change, so confirm with the clinic before you go.

Materials: what to have ready

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

• A phone or pen to write down the clinic's answers about cost and hours.
• Your insurance card or Medicaid or Medicare information, if you have it. If you do not, say so when you call.
• A photo ID if you have one. Ask the clinic whether one is required.
• Basic income information, in case the clinic asks about a sliding scale. Ask what proof, if any, they want.
• A list of any medicines you take and any allergies.
• A rough timeline of when you last had a possible exposure, and any symptoms you have noticed. Symptoms are worth mentioning, but many infections cause none.
• A safe phone number and a way to get results that fits your privacy needs.

Step 1: Decide what you want to be tested for

The CDC's 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines describe which infections are commonly screened for, and who should be screened and how often. The right list depends on your age, your body, your partners and your history.

You can tell a clinician what you are comfortable sharing and ask what they recommend. Common tests include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Some clinics also test for hepatitis C or herpes.

Be aware that clinics do not all offer the same tests. For example, the Native American Community Clinic's CDC GetTested listing shows HIV and hepatitis C testing only, not chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis. Ask which tests are available before you book.

Step 2: Choose a clinic

These are the Minneapolis options with details from the CDC GetTested directory and the clinics' own pages. Hours and services can change, so treat every listing as a starting point. You can also see the local testing list on this site.

Hennepin County Public Health Clinic / Red Door Clinic

This is the Red Door sexual health clinic, located in the Public Health Clinic of the Health Services Building at 525 Portland Avenue South, 4th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55415. The phone number for appointments and results is 612-543-5555.

• Services listed: STD testing, HIV testing, PrEP, doxy-PEP and treatment. The Red Door site lists PrEP and doxy-PEP. The county page does not mention them.
• 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." Lab work is billed separately by Hennepin Healthcare, and co-pays may apply. A sliding fee scale is not confirmed in the sources reviewed.
• Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Walk-ins: the Red Door site says walk-ins are first come, first served. The county page names appointments as its stated method and suggests calling early for same-day appointments. Calling first is the safer choice.

Website: reddoorclinic.org

Thrive Clinic (The Aliveness Project)

Thrive Clinic is a nonprofit HIV and STI program at 3808 Nicollet Ave, Lower Level, Minneapolis, MN 55409. The phone number on its page is (612) 369-7494.

• Services listed: rapid HIV testing, syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea testing and treatment, PrEP, and hepatitis C testing for new PrEP patients.
• Cost: the page says no client is turned away due to an inability to pay. Payment details are on a separate page, so ask when you call. The CDC GetTested listing for the Aliveness Project (phone (612) 822-7946) lists free HIV tests.
• Hours: Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Walk-ins: the clinic page does not say whether walk-ins are accepted. It says to call or email to access services. The CDC listing says an appointment is not required for HIV testing. Because the two sources differ, call first.

Website: aliveness.org

NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center

NorthPoint is a community health center at 2220 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55411. The phone number is (612) 543-2500.

• Tests listed by CDC GetTested: HIV (blood draw), hepatitis B, hepatitis C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
• Cost: insurance and Medicaid are accepted, and the listing says a sliding scale is available. Contact the center about eligibility.
• Hours: not listed. CDC GetTested says hours may change and to check the organization's website.

Hennepin Healthcare Whittier Clinic and Pharmacy

This clinic is at 2810 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408. The phone number is (612) 873-6963.

• Tests listed by CDC GetTested: HIV (rapid and blood draw), hepatitis A, B and C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
• Cost: insurance and Medicaid are accepted. The listing does not mention a sliding scale, so ask. It also lists a free mpox vaccine.
• Hours: not listed. Check with the clinic.

Planned Parenthood North Central States, Minneapolis Health Center

This center is at 1200 Lagoon Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408. The phone number is (612) 823-6300.

• Tests listed by CDC GetTested: HIV (rapid and blood draw), herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.
• Cost: insurance, Medicaid and a sliding scale are listed.
• Hours: not listed. Check with the center.

Community-University Health Care Center (CUHCC)

CUHCC is run by the University of Minnesota at 2001 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404. The phone number is 612-301-3433.

• Tests listed by CDC GetTested: HIV (rapid and blood draw), hepatitis C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. The CUHCC site itself does not mention STI testing.
• Cost: sliding scale. Insurance, Medicaid and Medicare are accepted.
• Hours: the CUHCC site lists Monday to Friday 7:05 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The CDC listing says an appointment is required.

Website: cuhcc.umn.edu

Native American Community Clinic (NACC)

NACC is at 1213 E Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404. The phone number is (612) 872-8086.

• Tests listed by CDC GetTested: HIV (blood draw) and hepatitis C.
• Cost: insurance, Medicaid, Medicare and a sliding scale are listed.
• Hours: not listed. Check with the clinic.

Quick comparison

Clinic	Payment information published	Tests listed
Red Door Clinic	Most insurance and self-pay; no one turned away for inability to pay; labs billed separately	STD, HIV, PrEP, doxy-PEP
Thrive Clinic (Aliveness Project)	No client turned away for inability to pay; CDC lists free HIV tests	HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea
NorthPoint	Sliding scale; insurance and Medicaid	HIV, hepatitis B and C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis
Whittier Clinic	Insurance and Medicaid	HIV, hepatitis A, B and C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis
Planned Parenthood Minneapolis	Sliding scale; insurance and Medicaid	HIV, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis
CUHCC	Sliding scale; insurance, Medicaid, Medicare	HIV, hepatitis C, herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis
NACC	Sliding scale; insurance, Medicaid, Medicare	HIV, hepatitis C

Step 3: Call and ask the right questions

A short call can save you a trip. Here is what to ask.

1. "Are you open today, and do I need an appointment?"
2. "Which tests do you offer for the infections I am concerned about?"
3. "What will this cost me? Is there a sliding scale or a free option?"
4. "Will lab work be billed separately?"
5. "What do I need to bring?"
6. "How and when will I get my results?"
7. "If a test is positive, can you treat it at this clinic?"

Write down the answers and the name of the person you spoke with. If the clinic's phone line is busy, try again, or look at the clinic's website.

Step 4: Check current hours

Hours in this guide come from the clinic pages and the CDC GetTested directory, and they can change. For several clinics above, no hours are published in the sources reviewed.

To confirm hours, do one or more of these:

• Call the clinic's listed phone number.
• Check the clinic's own website.
• Use the CDC's GetTested directory, which lists testing sites and says to verify hours with the organization.
• Contact the Minneapolis Health Department if you need help finding a site.

Free testing events and health department walk-in days are not listed in the sources reviewed for this guide. If you hear about one, confirm the date, place and cost with the organizer before you go.

Step 5: Go to your visit

A typical visit has a few parts. The details vary by clinic.

• A conversation. A clinician or counselor asks about symptoms, partners and past testing. You can ask them to explain why a question matters.
• Sample collection. Depending on the test, this may be a urine sample, a swab, a blood draw or a fingerstick. Swabs can often be collected by you in private.
• Payment or paperwork. This is where you share insurance or income details if the clinic needs them.
• A plan for results. Make sure you know how the clinic will reach you.

You do not have to explain your gender, orientation or relationship status in detail. Share what helps the clinician choose the right tests, and tell them if there is any part of the visit that makes you uncomfortable.

Who qualifies

For most of these clinics, the published information does not set a strict rule for free or low-cost testing. Here is what the sources say.

• Red Door says no one will be turned away due to inability to pay.
• Thrive Clinic says no client is turned away due to an inability to pay.
• NorthPoint, Planned Parenthood, CUHCC and NACC list a sliding scale. The CDC listing for NorthPoint says to contact the organization for eligibility.
• Whittier Clinic lists insurance and Medicaid.

For anything beyond that, such as income cutoffs, ask the clinic. They are the ones who set eligibility.

If you are under 18

Minnesota law speaks to this directly. Minn. Stat. 144.343, subd. 1 (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.

The statute covers consent. It does not describe each clinic's billing or privacy practices. If you are worried about an insurance statement going to a parent or guardian, ask the clinic how they handle billing before your visit.

If you do not have insurance or are not sure about coverage

Say so when you call. Ask about the sliding scale, ask whether lab work is billed separately, and ask whether the clinic can tell you the cost before your visit.

Free home HIV test programs

TakeMeHome is a national program that offers free HIV and STI home tests. Its FAQ says availability depends on your ZIP code, and the page does not mention Minnesota. Whether it is available in Minneapolis is not confirmed here, so check the program's site with your ZIP code.

The FAQ also says the rapid HIV oral swab tests are approved for ages 14 and up, and the fingerstick tests for ages 18 and up. A home test does not replace a visit with a clinician if you want testing for other infections or want treatment.

Step 6: Understand the timing of your test

Tests do not detect an infection immediately after an exposure. This gap is called the window period. The CDC gives these windows for HIV:

• A nucleic acid test (NAT) can usually detect HIV 10 to 33 days after an exposure.
• An antigen/antibody test done on a lab blood draw can usually detect HIV 18 to 45 days after an exposure.
• An antigen/antibody rapid test done on a fingerstick can take longer, from 18 to 90 days.
• Antibody tests can take 23 to 90 days.

For other infections, window periods differ by test. Ask the clinician when a test is most likely to give a reliable result for your situation. They may suggest testing now and again later.

If you may have had a recent exposure to HIV, tell the clinician right away. The CDC describes post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as a treatment a clinician can prescribe, and it works best when started soon after an exposure. Ask a clinician or the Red Door Clinic whether it is appropriate for you.

Expected results

Results depend on the test, the timing and the clinic. Here is what you can generally expect, in hedged terms.

• Timing. Rapid HIV tests may give results during the visit. Other tests are sent to a lab and may take days. The clinic can tell you its usual timing.
• A negative result. This may mean the test did not detect that infection. If you tested inside a window period, or if you have a new exposure, a clinician may suggest repeating the test.
• A positive result. This means the test detected something, and a clinician will usually want to confirm and discuss next steps. A positive result is not a judgment of you.
• No test is perfect. Tests can occasionally give results that need follow-up.

Per the CDC STI Treatment Guidelines, bacterial infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, and trichomoniasis, are curable with treatment prescribed by a clinician. HIV and herpes are not curable but are treatable and manageable, and so is HPV. The clinician will explain the options. Never take leftover medicine or someone else's medicine.

What happens after a positive result

Many people feel a rush of worry, and that is understandable. A few facts may help.

• Minnesota rules require reporting. Minn. R. 4605.7040 (Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes) lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV infection as diseases reportable within one working day. This is a public health process, and the clinic handles it.
• Partners may need testing or treatment too. Minn. Stat. 151.37, subd. 2(g) lets a licensed practitioner prescribe or dispense a drug in accordance with the CDC guidance on expedited partner therapy. The CDC's page on the legal status of EPT in Minnesota says the statute expressly covers chlamydia and gonorrhea. Ask your clinician whether it applies to you.
• Minnesota's law on the knowing transfer of a communicable disease, Minn. Stat. 609.2241, makes it a crime for a person who knowingly harbors an infectious agent to transfer it through sexual penetration without first informing the other person, among other acts. It does not name HIV. If you have questions about how it applies, a clinician or a legal aid organization can help.

Tips for a smoother visit

• Call early in the day if you hope for a same-day visit. The county page for Red Door recommends this.
• Ask about cost before the visit, not after.
• Bring a list of questions so that you do not forget them.
• Ask what lab work is billed separately. At Red Door, Hennepin Healthcare bills lab work separately.
• Ask about PrEP and doxy-PEP if you want to learn about prevention. The CDC issued doxy-PEP guidance in 2024, and a clinician can tell you whether it is a fit for you.
• Set a reminder for your next test. The CDC guidelines describe how often screening is recommended for different groups, and a clinician can tailor it to you.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Showing up without calling. Some clinics use appointments, and walk-in policies are unclear for several of them.
• Assuming every clinic tests for everything. NACC's listing shows HIV and hepatitis C only.
• Assuming "free" covers everything. Free HIV testing does not always mean free testing for every infection, and lab work may be billed separately.
• Testing once and stopping. A single test may not reflect a recent exposure. Ask about retesting.
• Waiting because of embarrassment. Clinicians see STI testing every day, and the care is routine.
• Skipping follow-up. If a clinician prescribes treatment, finish what they prescribe and return if they ask you to.

Context: how common are STIs in Minnesota?

A KTTC news report from September 10, 2025, citing the Minnesota Department of Health, gave these 2024 statewide figures. These are secondary-source numbers.

• 19,703 reported chlamydia cases.
• 7,131 reported gonorrhea cases.
• 1,478 reported syphilis cases, all stages combined as reported.
• 311 newly diagnosed HIV infections, a 4% decrease from 2023.

These numbers count reported cases, so they reflect who got tested as well as who was infected. Minneapolis-only figures are not included in the sources reviewed for this guide.

Your next step

Pick one clinic from the list above and call it. Ask about cost, hours and which tests it offers. If the first clinic is not a fit, try another. You can also look up sites on the CDC's GetTested directory.

Free and low-cost testing exists in Minneapolis, and a call is often the hardest part. Once you have the answers, the visit itself is usually quick.

Sources

• CDC Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines, 2021
• CDC: Legal Status of Expedited Partner Therapy in Minnesota
• CDC GetTested directory (listings for the Aliveness Project, NorthPoint, Hennepin Healthcare, Planned Parenthood North Central States, University of Minnesota and the Native American Community Clinic)
• City of Minneapolis Health Department
• Red Door Clinic and the Hennepin County Public Health Clinic page
• The Aliveness Project: STI testing and treatment
• Community-University Health Care Center
• TakeMeHome FAQ
• Minn. Stat. 144.343
• Minn. Stat. 151.37
• Minn. Stat. 609.2241
• Minn. R. 4605.7040
• KTTC, September 10, 2025, citing the Minnesota Department of Health