Testing

Participation in UC’s Strategic Mitigation testing is mandatory for any students who live on campus, or who come to campus for in-person classes, work, or other activities. You may get tested through UC or get a PCR or NAA/NAAT test at a valid outside facility and send the results to UCCOVIDCheck@ucmail.uc.edu.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or a recent exposure to someone diagnosed with COVID-19, please contact University Health Services by phone to make an appointment at the Testing Center (Commons Edge North, 55 W. Daniels Street.) or at the UC Health Uptown Campus (3120 Burnet Avenue). You can reach UHS by calling (513) 556-2564.

If you have been selected for strategic mitigation testing, please schedule your testing appointment. Testing will take place on Mondays and Tuesdays in the basketball courts on the lower level of the Campus Recreation Center. Provided by Wild Health Laboratories of Lexington, Ky., testing hours will run 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and testing is free, fast and easy -- requiring less than 5 minutes to complete.

Hamilton County Test and Protect will also come to campus on Wednesdays and Fridays. This TaP testing on campus is also an option to meet testing requirements.

TaP offers walk-in testing on Wednesdays, from 1-5 p.m., in Stratford Heights Complex, Unit 16, 2634 Stratford Ave, Cincinnati OH 45220 (west side of Clifton Avenue). Note that while no advance registration is required for the Stratford location, advance registration is available via Test and Protect. Pre-registration via TaP does not provide a specific appointment slot but will save time in terms of on-site registration.

TaP also offers limited testing appointments on Fridays from 1-4 p.m., in UC Health's Addiction Sciences Division building (2nd floor, adjacent to Suite 201), 3131 Harvey Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229. Sign up here.

Please note that Test and Protect will request insurance information; however, if insurance does not cover the test, there will be no charge.

More information

You can get tested at an outside facility and send the results to uccovidcheck@mail.uc.edu.

The test documentation must show your first and last name, the date the test was performed, clinic name, results, and the type of test. Only PCR and NAA/NAAT tests are acceptable.

The test must be taken at a valid location such as a doctor's office or pharmacy. At-home mail-in tests are not accepted. An example of an outside/another facility would be CVS, Walgreens, Lil’ Clinic at Kroger, or your doctor’s office.

You can also get free testing through Hamilton County Test and Protect if you are a resident of Hamilton County (live and work in the area and can show proof). See testing locations and pre-register here .

Only molecular tests are accepted at UC this includes PCR and NAA/NAAT tests. Ask your healthcare provider what kind of test is being performed to ensure it will be valid. You can submit your test results to UCCOVIDCheck@mail.uc.edu.

If you are entirely remote and not coming to campus it is okay to disregard the random testing emails that you may receive. However, there are two things that you need to be aware of:

First, your pass will remain red, but you will not be penalized or sanctioned by the University.

Second, if you plan to come to campus, you will need a negative test within 7 days of any return to campus at any point in the future, this includes any sporting events or commencement activities.

You can get tested at home and submit the test results to UCCOVIDCheck@mail.uc.edu to fulfill the scheduled testing requirements.

Yes, you can get tested. On Mondays and Tuesdays, Wild Health hosts testing for up to 1,000 students each day. Use the following link to register for testing appointments.

You can also get tested via Test and Protect on Wednesdays. You can walk-in or use the following link to pre-register.

More information

All of the slots are filled up for the week if no options are available. Monday and Tuesday have the most availability so it is best to sign up early. Please note the mitigation testing emails are sent on Thursday afternoons.

It is recommended that once you receive the mitigation testing email that you follow the link and sign up for testing. Testing is easy and takes between 5-10 minutes. You can also be tested at another facility (i.e., CVS, Walgreens, Lil’ Clinic at Kroger, your doctor’s office) and send the results to uccovidcheck@mail.uc.edu.

The test result documentation must show the following: the date the test was performed, first and last name, clinic name, results, and the type of test. Only PCR and NAA/NAAT tests are accepted at this time.

Respecting religious beliefs and making accommodations for medical issues is of paramount importance to the University of Cincinnati.

Please fill out this form to request an exemption from testing. Someone from UC COVID Watch will be in touch with you to determine exemption eligibility.

Yes. Email your positive test results to UCCOVIDCheck@mail.uc.edu. You will be exempt for 90 days (about 3 months) from the date of the positive test result. Keep in mind that in order to get the 90-day (about 3 months) exemption the test result must meet the requirements of showing your first and last name, name of the facility, date of the test, result and it needs to be a PCR or NAA/T test.