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.

Many teens and parents in New York City have the same questions about STD testing for minors. Who can consent? Who finds out? What does it cost? This page answers them in plain words, using New York State law, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the CDC.

It is written for teens and for the adults who care about them. Getting tested is a routine part of health care, and it says nothing about a person's character.

Consent: Who Can Say Yes to Testing?

Can minors get STD testing without their parents?

Yes. New York Public Health Law § 2305 allows a licensed physician to diagnose, treat or prescribe for a person under 21 who is infected with or exposed to an STD without a parent's consent or knowledge. The statute does not set a minimum age.

In practice, NYC Health says its Sexual Health Clinics serve anyone 12 or older without parental consent.

What does New York law actually say?

Public Health Law § 2305(2) covers people under 21 who are infected with or exposed to a sexually transmitted disease. It names a licensed physician, or a staff physician in a hospital, as the provider. The text does not mention telling a parent.

The Guttmacher Institute's state summary reads the law the same way: minors may consent to STI testing and treatment in New York.

Is there a minimum age for STD testing in New York?

The state law does not list one. Individual clinics set their own policies, and NYC Health Sexual Health Clinics serve people 12 and older. A younger teen with a concern can call a clinic first and ask what it can offer.

Does a parent or guardian have to come along?

Not for the visit itself, based on the state law and the NYC clinic policy above. A teen who wants support can bring a trusted adult, a friend or a partner. That choice belongs to the teen.

Does immigration status matter?

NYC Health says its Sexual Health Clinics serve people regardless of immigration status. Other clinics set their own rules, so ask when you call.

Confidentiality: Who Finds Out?

Is STD testing confidential for teens?

New York law lets a minor be tested and treated without a parent's consent or knowledge, which is the core of teen privacy here. Clinics also have their own privacy practices, so ask staff how your information is handled before you give details. Confidential does not mean unreported, as the next questions explain.

Does the clinic report my results to the government?

Some results are reported, as with any adult. The NYC Health Code requires seven STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, to be reported to the Health Department within 24 hours. New York Public Health Law § 2130 requires clinicians and laboratories to report HIV to the state health commissioner.

These are public health reports. They are separate from telling a parent or school. A clinician can explain exactly what is reported and what happens next.

What can parents see?

The law does not require a clinic to tell a parent about a minor's STD visit. What a parent can see through insurance paperwork is a different matter, and the sources reviewed for this page do not describe it. If a teen is on a parent's plan, ask the clinic and the insurance company what notices are sent before the visit.

Could my parents find out through insurance?

It is possible when a visit is billed to a parent's plan, since insurers often send statements to the policyholder. The clinics listed on this page do not publish how their billing handles this, so ask when you call. Sliding-scale and free options are covered below.

Will the school be told?

The state law and clinic policies cited here do not describe any notice to schools. Teens who see a clinic outside school are not using school systems at all. If you are unsure, ask the clinic what it shares and with whom.

Where Teens Can Go in New York City

Is there a clinic made for teens and young adults?

Yes. The Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center serves young people ages 10 to 26 at 312-320 East 94th Street in Manhattan. Mount Sinai says its services are completely free and include STI testing, HIV testing with same-day rapid results, and treatment. Walk-in hours are Monday to Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the phone number is 212-423-3000.

What about the city's Sexual Health Clinics?

NYC Health runs Sexual Health Clinics in Manhattan (Chelsea and Central Harlem), Brooklyn (Fort Greene), the Bronx (Morrisania) and Queens (Jamaica and Corona). Most services are walk-in, and the clinics may close early once they reach capacity. The clinic hotline is 347-396-7959, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. NYC Health does not list an open Sexual Health Clinic on Staten Island, so Staten Island residents may want to call the hotline for options.

Is there an LGBTQ+ community health center?

Callen-Lorde Community Health Center offers STI and HIV testing, PrEP, PEP and HPV vaccination. Its Chelsea site is at 356 W 18th St, phone 212-271-7200. Callen-Lorde says it serves people regardless of ability to pay and uses a sliding fee for people without adequate insurance. It also lists sites in the Bronx and Brooklyn.

Are there school-based clinics?

The sources reviewed for this page do not list school-based health centers. Ask your school nurse or counselor what is available, or call the NYC Health clinic hotline. Tell them you want to know about confidential sexual health care.

Where can I see a longer list of places to test?

Our guide to where to get tested in New York City goes through clinic options by borough. The CDC's gettested.cdc.gov locator is another way to find a nearby site.

Cost and Practical Questions

How much does STD testing cost for a minor?

NYC Health describes its Sexual Health Clinics as low to no cost. It says adults 19 and older are asked for insurance or a sliding-scale fee, and that no one is turned away for inability to pay. The clinic page does not list a separate fee for teens, so ask when you call. Mount Sinai's Adolescent Health Center says its services are completely free.

Is there a free way to test for HIV at home?

NYC Health says NYC residents can get free HIV self-test kits through Community Home Test Giveaway partner agencies. You can find them through 311 or by texting TESTNYC to 55676. NYC Health's pages did not show a free at-home kit program for other STIs.

What if I think I was exposed to HIV recently?

PEP is medicine a clinician prescribes after a possible exposure, and CDC says it works best when started as soon as possible. NYC Health lists a 24/7 PEP Hotline at 844-373-7692. Emergency rooms can also help. A clinician can explain whether PEP is right for you.

Testing, Treatment and Prevention

Who should be tested, and how often?

The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) and the USPSTF recommend yearly chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for sexually active women under 25. The CDC recommends HIV screening at least once for everyone ages 13 to 64. A clinician can tell a teen of any gender or orientation what testing fits their situation.

What if a test finds an infection?

A clinician can explain the result and the next steps. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV, herpes and HPV are not curable, but they are treatable or manageable. A clinician chooses the treatment, so there is nothing to work out on your own.

Do partners need to be told?

NYC Health says the CDC recommends expedited partner therapy for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. New York Public Health Law § 2312 covers it. A clinician can talk through whether it applies and how to reach partners in a way that feels safe.

Can teens get PrEP or the HPV vaccine too?

NYC Health says adolescents can get PrEP at its Sexual Health Clinics without a parent's permission. The clinics offer the HPV vaccine only to patients who are also getting other sexual health services. Ask a clinician whether you are due for it.

Tips for Parents

How can a parent support a teen who wants testing?

Stay calm, listen, and thank them for asking. Point them to the clinics above or the NYC Health hotline at 347-396-7959. Teens are more likely to seek care when they feel safe talking about it.

Parents can also go over the information on this page together, so everyone knows how consent and privacy work in New York.

STD Testing for Teens and Minors in New York: Consent and Confidentiality