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.

Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver. Many people who have it feel fine for years, so a hepatitis C test is the only way to find out. The good news is that the test is simple, and hepatitis C can be cured with treatment from a clinician.

This guide walks through how to get a hep c test in New York City, step by step. It covers who the CDC says should be tested, what to bring, what the results can mean, and where to go in the five boroughs.

Who should get a hepatitis C test

The CDC recommends that every adult aged 18 and older be screened for hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime. This is called universal one-time screening. It applies no matter your gender, orientation, or how you think of your own risk.

The CDC also recommends testing during every pregnancy. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) likewise recommends screening for adults aged 18 to 79.

Some people may need testing more than once. The CDC says repeat testing makes sense for people with ongoing exposure, such as people who currently inject drugs or share equipment. A clinician can help you decide how often is right for you.

It also makes sense to ask about a test if you:

have a health condition your clinician has told you is linked to hepatitis C, such as abnormal liver tests
have received a medical procedure or blood product where infection control may have been uncertain
were told a partner or family member has hepatitis C
have HIV, since the CDC notes the two infections can occur together

None of these reasons is required. If you are an adult who has never been tested, the CDC recommendation already applies to you.

What you need before you go

You do not need much. Here is a short list of what to have ready.

A photo ID, if you have one. Some clinics ask for it. Ask the clinic what it needs when you call.
Insurance information, if you have it. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene says adults 19 and older at its Sexual Health Clinics are asked for insurance or a sliding-scale fee. The clinics ask for no proof of income, and the department says no one is turned away for inability to pay.
A list of any medicines you take. This helps if you later talk about treatment.
Notes on past tests or vaccines. If you have had a hepatitis test before, bring the date or the result if you can.
A few questions. Write them down so you do not forget them in the room.

How to get a hepatitis C test: step by step

Step 1: Decide which kind of site fits you

In New York City, you can get a hepatitis C test at a community health center, at a hospital clinic, or from your own primary care clinician. If you already have a regular provider, you can simply ask them to add a hepatitis C screening to your next blood draw.

If you do not have a provider, a community health center is a good starting point. Think about whether you want a walk-in visit or a scheduled appointment, and which borough is easiest for you to reach.

Step 2: Confirm that the site offers hepatitis C testing

Not every sexual health site tests for hepatitis C. Callen-Lorde Community Health Center lists hepatitis C testing among the services at its Chelsea site. For the NYC Health Department Sexual Health Clinics, the department's clinic page does not list hepatitis C testing, so call the clinic hotline before you go. The same goes for any other site: a short phone call can save you a trip.

You can ask a simple question: "Do you offer a hepatitis C antibody test, and what does it cost?"

Step 3: Ask about cost before you book

Costs vary by site and by insurance. Callen-Lorde says it provides services regardless of ability to pay, with a sliding fee for people who are uninsured or underinsured, and visit co-pays that range from $0 to $100. The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, which serves people ages 10 to 26, says its services are completely free. Its pages do not say whether hepatitis C testing is included, so ask when you call.

If a clinic's page does not list a price for a hepatitis C test, that means the price is not published. Ask the clinic directly.

Step 4: Get the antibody test

The first step in hepatitis C testing is usually a blood test called the hepatitis C antibody test. According to the CDC, this test looks for antibodies, which are proteins your body makes in response to the virus. It is often done with a standard blood draw from the arm. Some sites use a finger-stick rapid version. Ask which one your site uses and when results come back.

The visit is usually short. A clinician or technician draws the blood, and you can typically go about your day afterward.

Step 5: Understand the follow-up RNA test

The CDC explains that an antibody test cannot tell by itself whether the virus is in your body now. If the antibody result is reactive, the CDC recommends a second test, called a nucleic acid test or RNA test. This test looks for the virus itself.

The RNA test is what can show whether a current infection is present. Many labs run it automatically from the same blood sample, and some clinics may ask you to come back for another draw. Ask the clinic which approach it uses so you know what to expect.

Step 6: Get your results and ask what they mean

Ask how and when you will hear back, and by what method: phone, patient portal, or in person. Results may take days at a site that sends samples to a lab. Rapid tests, where offered, can be faster.

Do not hesitate to ask a clinician to explain the result in plain language. A clinician is the right person to tell you what your specific results mean.

Step 7: If treatment is discussed, ask about next steps

The CDC says hepatitis C is curable. Treatment is prescribed by a clinician, and the CDC reports that modern oral medicines called direct-acting antivirals cure more than 95 percent of people who take them as prescribed. A clinician decides which medicine fits each person and how it should be taken, so those details are best discussed at your visit.

If your results lead to a treatment conversation, you can ask about follow-up blood tests, liver checks, and support with insurance coverage.

Where to go in New York City

New York City has several free or low-cost options. The list below includes what each site publishes. For the full set of locations, see our local testing list.

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center

Callen-Lorde is an LGBTQ+ community health center that welcomes people of every identity. It lists hepatitis C testing among its services.

Chelsea: 356 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011. Phone 212-271-7200. Sexual health visits are by appointment Monday to Friday with limited walk-in. Saturday walk-in is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., first come, first served.
Bronx: 555 Bergen Ave, 4th floor. Phone 718-215-1800.
Brooklyn: 40 Flatbush Ave Ext, 3rd floor. Phone 718-215-1818.

Callen-Lorde's sexual health page names only the Chelsea site, so check with the Bronx and Brooklyn locations about which services they offer.

NYC Health Department Sexual Health Clinics

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene runs Sexual Health Clinics in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. The department says they offer low- to no-cost care, mostly on a walk-in basis, and that clinics may close early once capacity is reached. They serve anyone 12 or older without parental consent, regardless of immigration status.

Chelsea Sexual Health Clinic, 303 9th Avenue, Manhattan
Central Harlem Sexual Health Clinic, 2238 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan
Fort Greene Sexual Health Clinic, 295 Flatbush Avenue Extension, Brooklyn
Morrisania Sexual Health Clinic, 1309 Fulton Avenue, Bronx
Jamaica Sexual Health Clinic, 90-37 Parsons Boulevard, Queens
Corona Sexual Health Clinic, 34-33 Junction Boulevard, Queens

The clinic hotline is 347-396-7959, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Hours vary by clinic, so check the department's Sexual Health Clinics page before you go. The department also notes that the Crown Heights and Riverside clinics are closed until further notice, and that it lists no Sexual Health Clinic on Staten Island. Because the clinic page does not list hepatitis C testing, call the hotline to ask whether it is offered at the site you plan to visit.

Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center

This Manhattan clinic at 312-320 East 94th Street serves young people ages 10 to 26 and says its services are free. Phone 212-423-3000. Mount Sinai lists walk-in hours of Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for sexual health care. Ask whether hepatitis C testing is part of the visit.

Search any location with the CDC

The CDC runs a lookup tool at gettested.cdc.gov where you can enter a ZIP code to find testing sites. Confirm services and hours with the site before you go.

Staten Island and other boroughs

If you live on Staten Island or far from a clinic listed here, your own primary care clinician is a good option. You can also call the NYC Health Department's hotline for guidance on where to go.

Tips and common mistakes to avoid

Waiting for symptoms. The CDC says many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms for a long time. The recommendation to test applies even if you feel well.
Assuming the standard STD panel includes hepatitis C. It often does not. Say "hepatitis C" by name when you ask for a test. Our guide to STD testing in New York City explains what typical panels cover.
Stopping after a reactive antibody result. The antibody test is the first step. The RNA test is what can show whether the virus is present now.
Skipping the follow-up call. Ask for a date when results should arrive and who will contact you.
Assuming a past negative result covers you forever. If you have had new exposures since your last test, ask whether it is time to test again.
Feeling embarrassed. Clinicians test people for hepatitis C every day, and the CDC recommends it for every adult. You do not need to explain or justify the request.
Not asking about price. Always ask, and mention if you are uninsured. Sliding-scale options exist.

Some people also want a broader check at the same time. If you are thinking about other infections, our page on chlamydia testing and treatment in New York City covers how those tests work. Ask your clinician which tests make sense together.

What results may look like

A clinician is the only person who can interpret your results, but here is what the CDC says each outcome generally means.

Non-reactive antibody result. This generally means no hepatitis C antibodies were detected. A clinician can tell you whether anything else, such as recent exposure, would call for another test.
Reactive antibody result, then a detected RNA result. This may indicate a current hepatitis C infection. A clinician can discuss treatment, which can cure hepatitis C.
Reactive antibody result, then a not detected RNA result. This may mean the virus is not currently present. A clinician can explain what that means for you.

No test is perfect, and results always depend on timing and on the lab. If something about your result is unclear, ask for it to be explained or repeated.

If your results lead to treatment, NYC clinics and health centers can connect you with care. The path from test to cure can be short, and many people find the process easier than they expected.

Quick recap

Check whether you are an adult who has never been tested. If so, the CDC recommends a one-time screening.
Choose a site and call to confirm hepatitis C testing and cost.
Get the antibody test.
If the antibody result is reactive, follow up with the RNA test.
Ask a clinician to explain your results.
If treatment is discussed, ask about next steps. The CDC says hepatitis C is curable.

A hepatitis C test is a routine part of adult health care. Making one call is the hardest part.

Hepatitis C Testing in New York City: Who Should Test and Where