Your SARS-CoV-2 testing will be provided by the IALS Clinical Testing Center, and the Clinical Laboratory at University Health Services. (Together, “Testing Laboratories”)

The test that you will receive is designed to detect if you have SARS-CoV-2, also known as the “novel coronavirus”. SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes the disease known as COVID-19. Your testing specimen will be collected by nasal swab. This method of swabbing involves inserting the swab into a nostril, rotating the swab for 10 seconds, and then repeating the process in your other nostril. The subsequent COVID-19 test performed is a Real-time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR Diagnostic Assay (SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR). 

The results of this test will not tell you if you had the virus in the past or if you have immunity to getting the virus in the future. It only tests for the presence of the virus in your specimen at the time of the test.

The results of your test will be shared with you through a web portal or mobile software application. Your results will also be shared with the health care provider who ordered your test, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Local Board of Health, and may be shared with certain federal, state, or local government agencies as required by law.

If your results are positive, please contact a doctor immediately. Only a doctor can diagnose you with COVID-19 and give you information about what you should do next. Negative results mean that viral particles were not detected by the specific assay performed on your specimen within the limits of detection of the assay. It is possible for the test to produce an incorrect negative result in some people who are harboring the SARS-CoV-2 virus (sometimes called a “false negative”). If you test negative but have symptoms of COVID-19 or concerns about exposure to SARS-CoV-2, contact a doctor to determine if you should be retested or take other actions. 

The Testing Laboratories are clinical laboratories. Testing Laboratories do not give medical advice or provide medical care. You should talk to a doctor about any health care needs you may have, including any related to receiving this test. Testing Laboratories, the University of Massachusetts and its Board of Trustees, officers, employees, and agents are not responsible for any medical care you receive. If you have questions about the test or your testing results, please email testing@umass.edu.

If there is leftover specimen after your test is performed, Testing Laboratories may remove information that identifies you from the specimen and use it for quality assurance, validation and laboratory testing development. 

By signing a consent form for testing, an individual agrees: (i) that you have read and understand the information in this consent form; (ii) to provide a nasal swab specimen for testing; (iii) to have your specimen tested by Testing Laboratories for SARS-CoV-2; (iv) that Testing Laboratories may disclose your test results as outlined in this form; and (v) that your leftover specimen and/or information about you may be used without information that identifies you after the testing is over for further research and analysis. You voluntarily agree to this testing for SARS-CoV-2.

You must schedule your appointment in advance online at uma.force.com/covidtesting in order to get tested. If you do not have an appointment, you will not be allowed to get tested.

Adult residents of Massachusetts and children ages 10 and older without symptoms are eligible for testing. For children, their parent or guardian must accompany them both to give consent and to conduct or assist in conducting the self-administered test. This service is generally designed for people who work or live in the general Amherst area, including Hampshire and Franklin counties.

Testing is free for everyone. You will not have to pay or use insurance. 

Testing is taking place at the Mullins Center located at 200 Massachusetts Avenue on the UMass Amherst campus. Free parking is available in Lot 25 with overflow parking available in Lot 12, should it be necessary. For information about bus service, visit UMass Transit.

Yes. Children not being tested can accompany their parent or guardian in the testing facility, even those under 10. They are required to remain supervised by their parent or guardian, and must follow all public health prevention measures, such as appropriate face coverings and social distancing.

Go to uma.force.com/covidtesting, enter your name and birthdate, and check the box that says, "I would like to register up to two dependent children." and the box indicating you do not need to be tested, and choose an appointment time for your child. You must accompany your child to the center for testing, even if you are not being tested at that time.

Go to uma.force.com/covidtesting, enter your name and birthdate, and check the box that says, "I would like to register up to two dependent children." and the box indicating you do not need to be tested, and choose an appointment time for your child. You must accompany your child to the center for testing, even if you are not being tested at that time.

No. The testing center at UMass Amherst is only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19. This is known as asymptomatic testing. If you have any COVID-19 symptoms, DO NOT schedule an appointment or come to the testing center. Instead, contact your medical provider or your nearest urgent care testing center.

SARS-CoV-2 Real-time Reverse Transcriptase (RT)-PCR Diagnostic Assay is a real-time RT-PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test intended for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 in nasal swabs collected from individuals who may have contracted the virus.

It takes 24 to 36 hours to receive the results of your test.

Email testing@umass.edu with questions.

Each appointment is a 30-minute time slot. If, for instance, your appointment is from 2 to 2:30 p.m., you may show up at any point during that period and be tested. If you arrive after the times slot ends, we will be unable to accommodate you.

An email accounts is required to register. Many email accounts are free and can be obtained through services such as Google, Yahoo and Microsoft.

You must have your confirmation email to check in. You can either print it and bring it with you, or we can scan the QR code from a phone or other mobile device. We cannot register you at the testing center on the day of your test without the QR code from that email.

We can scan the confirmation QR code from your phone or mobile device.

You must email testing@umass.edu to cancel your test. If you fail to do so, you will be unable to register for another test until seven days have passed from the date of the originally scheduled test.

You can schedule a test once every seven days.

The online scheduling system displays seven days of time slots. Each morning, a new round of time slots is made available.

Community COVID-19 testing at the Mullins Center is closed through Feb. 1, 2021.  

Testing resumes Tuesday, Feb. 2 on:

Tuesdays: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesdays: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursdays: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

No, drive-through testing is not available.

UMass Amherst operates one of the state’s largest and most successful COVID-19 testing centers, having conducted more than 170,000 tests since Aug. 6, 2020. In partnership with Governor Baker, the university is well prepared to provide a vital public service to safeguard the health of our community. As the Commonwealth’s leading public research university, our collaboration with the governor to expand our efforts in the fight against COVID-19 is aligned with the campus’s longstanding commitment to public service.