HIV testing in Minnesota — where to get tested, free options, what to expect

9,500 people are living with HIV in Minnesota, and 36% of new diagnoses in 2022 were among Black residents. Getting tested is the first step — the CDC recommends at least one HIV test for every adult 13-64, and annual testing for anyone sexually active with more than one partner or injecting drugs. Rapid tests return results in about 20 minutes from a fingerstick; laboratory tests take a few days but catch infections sooner after exposure (as early as 10 days with a nucleic-acid test).

Where to test for free in Minnesota: every county health department runs an STI / HIV testing clinic, and Minnesota Department of Health, STD, HIV, and TB Section contracts with community-based organizations to operate walk-in rapid testing with evening and Saturday hours. No ID or insurance is required at these sites. Confidentiality is protected — state law requires public-health HIV testing results to stay out of your medical record unless you authorize release, and anonymous testing (no name collected) is available at most community sites.

What to expect: a pre-test conversation about risk and what a positive result would mean, the test itself (either fingerstick or blood draw), and post-test counseling. If the rapid test is reactive, the counselor draws blood for a confirmatory Western blot or antigen/antibody test. If you're positive, you'll be linked to a Ryan White Part C clinic for same-week HIV primary care and ADAP enrollment if you qualify by income.

The Minnesota HIV info line is 1-877-676-5414; staff can point you to the nearest free testing site, schedule PrEP, and help you navigate insurance or no-insurance options. Long-time Black residents name Red Door Clinic (Hennepin Healthcare) and JustUs Health as the local institutions that show up consistently — both are listed below.

Red Door Clinic (Hennepin Healthcare). The Red Door Clinic in Minneapolis is the state's highest-volume HIV and STI testing service, operating out of Hennepin Healthcare's Fifth Street facility with a walk-in rapid-testing model open to anyone regardless of insurance or immigration status.

JustUs Health. JustUs Health in St. Paul is Minnesota's Ryan White Part B case-management contractor and the state's largest HIV service organization, with dedicated programming for African-born and African-American Minnesotans including the Men of Color Engaged, Supported, and Achieving (MCESA) program.