A teenager who thinks they may have an infection can be tested and treated on their own say-so in 50 of the 51 jurisdictions, under a statute written for exactly this situation. The reason is public health: an untreated infection in a 16-year-old who is afraid to tell a parent spreads, and the legislatures decided decades ago that treatment mattered more than a signature. Idaho is the exception since March 31, 2026, when it repealed its minor consent statute; an Idaho teen now needs a parent's consent unless a clinic can rely on another exception. Everywhere else, what the statutes differ on is the fine print: the youngest age the rule covers, whether the clinician may or must tell a parent, whether HIV testing is included, and who pays.
We opened each state's statute on October 27 and 28, 2026 and quoted the sentence that grants the right, the sentence on parents, and the sentence on HIV where there is one. Read your state's row before you go, and bring the citation if you expect pushback at the desk; a clinic that hesitates usually has not read it either.
| State and statute | Who can consent | What it says about parents | HIV testing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama Ala. Code § 22-11A-19; see also Ala. Code § 22-8-6 | 12 or older for STD care; any minor under the 2025 amendment to section 22-8-6 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a minor 12 years of age or older who may have come into contact with any sexually transmitted disease as designated by the State Board of Health may give consent to the... | The provider may, but is not obligated to, inform the parents. | Not named |
| Alaska Alaska Stat. § 25.20.025(a)(4) | Any minor | Silent. | Not named |
| Arizona Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 44-132.01 | Any minor Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, a minor who may have contracted a venereal disease may give consent to the furnishing of hospital or medical care related to the diagnosis or treatment of such disease... | Silent. | Not named |
| Arkansas Ark. Code Ann. § 20-16-508 | Any minor who believes they have an STD When a minor who believes himself or herself to have a sexually transmitted disease consents to medical care, the consent is valid and binding as if the minor had achieved his or her majority and is not subject to later disaffirmance (A.C.A. 20-16-508(a), read through the state's official code publisher). | The statute goes on to address the consent of a spouse or parent; that text could not be read by our tools. | Not stated in the text we could read |
| California Cal. Fam. Code § 6926 | 12 or older | Silent; parents are not liable for payment. | Not named |
| Colorado Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-409 (definitions at § 25-4-402) | Any minor | The provider may involve a parent if the minor is 13 or younger; care is confidential. | Included in the definition of STI |
| Connecticut Conn. Gen. Stat. § 19a-216; HIV testing at § 19a-582(a) | Any minor | Confidential; no bill to anyone but the minor; a child under 12 is reported to child protective services. | Yes: parental consent is not required for an HIV test (19a-582) |
| Delaware 13 Del. C. § 710 | 12 or over | The physician may provide or withhold information from parents at their discretion; parents are not liable for payment. | Not named |
| District of Columbia 22-B DCMR § 600.7 (a regulation of the Department of Health, not a statute) | A minor of any age 600.7 A minor of any age may consent to health services which he or she requests for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of the following medical situations: (a) Pregnancy or its lawful termination; | Silent. | Not named |
| Florida Fla. Stat. § 384.30 (definition at § 384.23(3)) | Any minor | Confidential; no bill to the parent. | Depends on a Department of Health rule |
| Georgia O.C.G.A. § 31-17-7 | Any minor who is or professes to be affected Consent given by a minor who is or professes to be afflicted with a sexually transmitted disease or at risk for HIV shall be as valid and binding as if the minor had achieved his or her majority (O.C.G.A. 31-17-7(a), read through the state's official code publisher). | The section is titled to allow informing a spouse, parent, custodian or guardian; its text on that point could not be read by our tools. | Named: at risk for HIV |
| Hawaii Haw. Rev. Stat. § 577A-2 (definitions at § 577A-1) | Ages 14 through 17 | The provider must tell the insurer not to disclose the visit. | Included by definition |
| Idaho Idaho Code § 32-1015 (former § 39-3801, Title 39 Chapter 38, REPEALED by 2026 H.B. 860, Session Law ch. 245, effective 03/31/2026) | No minor consent law since March 31, 2026 Idaho repealed its minor STI consent statute (former section 39-3801) by 2026 House Bill 860; section 32-1015 now requires a parent's informed consent for a minor's health care and lists no exception for sexually transmitted infections. | Parents are entitled to the minor's health information under section 32-1015(6). | No exception |
| Illinois 410 ILCS 210/4 (notification at 410 ILCS 210/5) | 12 or older Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a minor 12 years of age or older who may have come into contact with any sexually transmitted disease, or may be determined to be an intoxicated person or a person with a... | The provider may, but is not obligated to, inform the parents. | Not named |
| Indiana Ind. Code § 16-36-1-3(d) | Any age: anyone who has, suspects or was exposed to an STI | Silent. | Not named |
| Iowa Iowa Code § 139A.35; HIV testing at § 141A.7(3) | Any minor A minor shall have the legal capacity to act and give consent to provision of medical care or services to the minor for the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of a sexually transmitted disease or infection by a... | Silent for STI care; for HIV, the guardian must be told of a confirmed positive result (the minor is told in advance). | Separate section: written consent; guardian told of a positive result |
| Kansas Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-2892 | Under 18 Any physician, upon consultation by any person under eighteen (18) years of age as a patient, may, with the consent of such person who is hereby granted the right of giving such consent, make a diagnostic examination... | Without the consent of, or notification to, the parents, but the physician may inform them. | Not named |
| Kentucky KRS 214.185(1), (8), (9) | Any minor | The provider may inform parents if it would benefit the minor's health; parents are not financially responsible unless the care was essential. | Not named |
| Louisiana La. R.S. 40:1079.1(B)(1)(e), (B)(1)(j), (B)(2) | Any minor | Silent. | Not named |
| Maine 32 M.R.S. Section 3292 (text effective until 1/1/27); 32 M.R.S. Section 20156 (effective 1/1/27); 22 M.R.S. Section 1823 | Any minor An individual licensed under this chapter who renders medical care to a minor for the prevention or treatment of a sexually transmitted infection or treatment of substance use or for the collection of sexual assault... | No obligation to inform; may inform; a hospital must after 16 hours of inpatient care. | Not named |
| Maryland Md. Code, Health-General Section 20-102(c)(3), (c)(9), (f) | Any minor | The practitioner may, but need not, inform. | HIV prevention treatment included |
| Massachusetts M.G.L. c. 112, Section 12F | Any minor Any minor may give consent to his medical or dental care at the time such care is sought if ... | Confidential; must notify if life or limb is endangered; the parent is not liable for payment. | HIV prevention for sexually active minors included |
| Michigan MCL 333.5127(1), (2), (3) | Any minor | The provider may inform parents for medical reasons, even over the minor's objection; parents are not financially responsible. | Yes, STI or HIV |
| Minnesota Minn. Stat. Section 144.343, subd. 1; Section 144.346; Section 144.347 | Any minor Any minor may give effective consent for medical, mental and other health services to determine the presence of or to treat pregnancy and conditions associated therewith, venereal disease, alcohol and other drug... | The professional may inform parents if silence would seriously jeopardize the minor's health; the minor assumes the cost. | Not named |
| Mississippi Miss. Code Ann. Section 41-41-13 | Statute not readable by our tools Mississippi Code 41-41-13 is published only through a JavaScript code site that blocked every read. The Legislature's own records show the section is still law: bills to repeal it (HB 1100 in 2024, SB 2893 in 2025) both died. | Could not be read | Could not be read |
| Missouri RSMo Section 431.061.1(4)(b) | Any minor 1. | Silent. | Not named |
| Montana MCA 41-1-402(2)(c); 41-1-403; 41-1-404 | Any minor | The provider shall inform parents in five listed situations, including to obtain a payment commitment. | Covered as a reportable communicable disease |
| Nebraska Neb. Rev. Stat. Section 71-504 | Any minor The chief medical officer as designated in section 81-3115, or local director of health, if a physician, or his or her agent, or any physician, upon consultation by any person as a patient, shall, with the consent of... | Without the consent of or notification to the parent; parents are liable for expenses. | Not named |
| Nevada NRS 129.060 | Any minor Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a minor may give express consent to: 1. | Silent. | Not named |
| New Hampshire RSA 141-C:18, II | 14 or older II. | Without the knowledge or consent of the parent. | Not named |
| New Jersey N.J.S.A. 9:17A-4(a)(1) (P.L.1968, c.230, s.1, as amended) | Any minor for STI care; 13 or older for HIV The consent to the provision of medical or surgical care or services or a forensic sexual assault examination by a hospital or public clinic, or consent to the performance of medical or surgical care or services or a... | Silent. | Yes, at 13 or older |
| New Mexico NMSA 1978 Section 24-1-9 (as amended by Laws 2023, Senate Bill 132, Section 6) | Any person regardless of age 24-1-9. | Silent. | Not named |
| New York N.Y. Public Health Law Section 2305(2); HIV testing: Section 2781(1) with Section 2780(5) | Any minor (the section covers people under 21) A licensed physician, or in a hospital, a staff physician, may diagnose, treat or prescribe for a person under the age of twenty-one years without the consent or knowledge of the parents or guardian of said person,... | Without the consent or knowledge of the parents. | Separate section: capacity to consent without regard to age |
| North Carolina N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 90-21.5(a); Section 90-21.4(b) | Any minor | The physician shall not notify parents without the minor's permission unless essential to life or health. | Covered through the reportable disease list |
| North Dakota N.D. Cent. Code § 14-10-17 | 14 or older Any person of the age of fourteen years or older may contract for and receive examination, care, or treatment for sexually transmitted disease or substance use disorder without permission, authority, or consent of a... | Silent. | Not stated |
| Ohio Ohio Rev. Code § 3709.241 (STI); Ohio Rev. Code § 3701.242(B) (HIV test) | Any minor Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a minor may give consent for the diagnosis or treatment of any sexually transmitted infection by a licensed physician, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist,... | Silent; parents are not billed for an HIV test the minor consented to. | Yes: a minor may consent to an HIV test |
| Oklahoma 63 O.S. § 1-532.1; 63 O.S. § 2602 | Any age 1-532.1: "Any person, regardless of age, has the capacity to consent to examination and treatment by a health care provider for any sexually transmitted infection (STI). | The provider may, but need not, tell the parents. | Covered as a reportable communicable disease |
| Oregon ORS 109.640(3) with ORS 435.190(4); ORS 109.650 (disclosure) | Any age 109.640(3): "Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section and notwithstanding subsection (4) of this section, a minor of any age may give consent, without the consent of a parent or guardian of the minor, to... | The provider may tell the parents. | Not stated |
| Pennsylvania Act of Feb. 13, 1970, P.L. 19, No. 10, § 3 (35 P.S. § 10103); Act of Nov. 29, 1990, P.L. 585, No. 148, § 5 (35 P.S. § 7605) (HIV test consent) | Any minor § 3: "Any minor may give effective consent for medical and health services to determine the presence of or to treat pregnancy, and venereal disease and other diseases reportable under the act of April 23, 1956... | Silent. | Covered as a reportable disease |
| Rhode Island R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-8-1.1; R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-6.3-3(l) (HIV) | Under 18 Persons under eighteen (18) years of age may give legal consent for testing, examination, and/or treatment for any reportable communicable disease. | Silent. | Yes, expressly |
| South Carolina S.C. Code § 63-5-340; S.C. Code § 63-5-350 | 16 or older for any health service; under 16 if the provider deems it necessary 63-5-340: "Any minor who has reached the age of sixteen years may consent to any health services from a person authorized by law to render the particular health service for himself and the consent of no other person... | Silent. | Not stated |
| South Dakota S.D. Codified Laws § 34-23-16; § 34-23-17 | Any minor Any licensed physician, upon consultation by any minor as a patient, may, with the consent of such person who is hereby granted the right of giving such consent, make a diagnostic examination for venereal disease and... | Health departments treat without parental consent or notification. | Not stated |
| Tennessee Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-10-104(c), as amended by Public Chapter 266 (2017) | Any minor The following healthcare officers and providers licensed in this state may examine, diagnose, and treat minors infected with STDs without the knowledge or consent of the parents of the minors, and shall incur no... | Without the knowledge or consent of the parents. | Named in the health department's summary |
| Texas Tex. Fam. Code § 32.003(a)(3), (c), (d) | Any child, for a reportable communicable disease | The provider may tell the parents. | Covered as a reportable communicable disease |
| Utah Utah Code § 26B-7-214 (formerly § 26-6-18) | Any minor who is or professes to be affected | Silent. | Not stated |
| Vermont 18 V.S.A. § 4226 | 12 or older | Parents must be notified if immediate hospitalization is required. | Not stated |
| Virginia Va. Code § 54.1-2969(E)(1), (K) | Any minor, deemed an adult for this purpose E. | Parents may obtain the records unless the clinician finds substantial harm would result. | Covered as a reportable disease |
| Washington RCW 70.24.110; RCW 70.24.017(12) (definition) | 14 or older A minor fourteen years of age or older who may have come in contact with any sexually transmitted disease or suspected sexually transmitted disease may give consent to the furnishing of hospital, medical, and... | Silent; parents are not liable for payment. | Yes, named |
| West Virginia W. Va. Code § 16-4-10 | Any minor, physicians only Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any licensed physician may examine, diagnose, or treat any minor with his or her consent for any venereal disease without the knowledge or consent of the minor's parent or... | Without the parents' knowledge or consent. | Not stated |
| Wisconsin Wis. Stat. § 252.11(1m); Wis. Stat. § 252.15(2m)(c) (HIV test) | Any minor for STI care; 14 or older for an HIV test 252.11(1m): "A physician may treat a minor infected with a sexually transmitted disease or examine and diagnose a minor for the presence of such a disease without obtaining the consent of the minor's parents or guardian. | Silent. | Yes, 14 or older |
| Wyoming Wyo. Stat. § 35-4-131(a); § 35-4-130(b) (definition) | Under 18 | Silent. | Yes, AIDS is on the reportable STD list |
The statute controls whether the clinic needs a parent's signature. It does not control what an insurance company mails home. When a visit is billed to a parent's plan, the explanation of benefits goes to the policyholder, and it names the provider and often the service. Some states have separate laws letting a dependent ask the insurer to send that notice elsewhere, and some clinics will flag the claim as confidential, but the surest route is a visit that is never billed to the plan.
Community health centers test on a sliding scale and many charge nothing; our directory of free and charitable clinics lists centers by state. At-home kits are self-pay and are not billed to Medicaid, so if you have Medicaid the clinic route will almost always cost less. If you would rather test at home:
Everlywell
Test for five common STIs at home.
$169, FSA/HSA eligible
Order the at-home STD testThat route exists everywhere. County and city health department STD clinics test and treat for free or on a sliding scale in most states (our state-by-state survey quotes what each one charges), Title X family planning clinics must offer confidential services to teens under the federal rule that funds them, and community health centers charge by income and can register a teen as their own patient. Our clinic finder lists them by city.
- A urine test and a blood draw cover chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. Throat and rectal swabs are only done if you ask or say where the exposure was, so say it.
- Treatment the same day for chlamydia and gonorrhea at most health department clinics, and in many states the clinic can give you medication for a partner too (expedited partner therapy).
- Results by text or phone are routine; tell the clinic which number is safe and whether voicemail is.
- No ID, no insurance card at most public clinics. Ask when you book: "Do I need to bring anything, and will anything be mailed to my home?"
- Your own portal. If you are seen in a health system, ask for a patient portal account in your own name. Under federal rules, the clinician can decide a minor controls access to records of care the minor consented to.
A statute that lets your child be tested without you is not written against you. It is written for the week your child cannot find the words, and it keeps an infection from becoming an emergency in that week. The clinics in the table will usually encourage a teen to tell a parent and will help them do it. If you want to make the conversation easier before it is needed, the simplest sentence is the one that tells them the appointment is theirs to make.
CDC's 2023 surveillance overview reports that almost half of all reported chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis cases, 48.2 percent, were among people aged 15 to 24, and that 32.4 percent of all cases were among non-Hispanic Black or African American people, who were 12.6 percent of the population. The agency's own reading is that these gaps "are unlikely to be fully explained by differences in sexual behavior and may reflect differential access to quality sexual health care." A teen who knows the law, and a clinic that does not need a signature, is access. Our guides to chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and PrEP cover what the tests find and what comes next.
Frequently asked questions
Can a minor get an STD test without parental consent? ▼
Yes, in every state except Idaho, which repealed its minor consent law effective March 31, 2026. The statutes differ on the youngest age covered (most set none; some say 12, 14 or 16) and on whether a parent may be told. Find your state in the table; it quotes the law.
Will my parents find out? ▼
Not from the clinic in states whose statutes bar notification, and usually not in practice elsewhere, but an insurance claim can reach the policyholder. Use a health department or Title X clinic that does not bill your parent's plan, and ask what will be mailed home.
Does this cover HIV testing? ▼
In many states yes, by name or through the words "reportable disease." Where the statute is silent, most public clinics still test minors for HIV confidentially; ask when you book.
Can I get treated, not just tested? ▼
The statutes cover diagnosis and treatment. Health department clinics typically treat chlamydia and gonorrhea on the same visit, and many can treat your partner too.
Do I have to pay? ▼
Several statutes say the parent is not liable and the minor may be billed. Public clinics test free or on a sliding scale, and the Title X rule makes a teen's own income the basis for any charge.
