COVID testing in Canada: What you need to know
PCR or rapid antigen? Where can I buy a test, what will it cost and how long will I wait? All your questions are answered here.
There are several different forms of COVID testing that you can get in Canada for a number of different reasons.
Find out more about the 3 main types of COVID tests available and decide which one might make the most sense for your personal situation. You can also learn more about when you might need a COVID test for travel to and from Canada.
Where to buy COVID home testing kits in Canada
- PPE Supply Canada - In Stock
- PPE Online - In Stock
- Go Test Rapide - In Stock
- Rapid Test & Trace
- The Canadian Shield
Where can I get a COVID test in Canada?

BTNX Rapid Response Covid-19 Antigen Test Kit
- 20% off at checkout
- Delivery: 1-5 business days
- Same-day shipping on all orders placed by 4PM EST
- Antigen test
- Results in 15-20 minutes
- Health Canada approved

FlowFlex Rapid Antigen Test
- 20% off at checkout
- Delivery: 1-5 business days
- Free Shipping over $99
- Same-day shipping on all orders placed by 4PM EST
- Non-invasive rapid antigen test
- Results in 15-20 minutes
- Health Canada approved

Boson Rapid COVID 19 Antigen Test
- Antigen test
- Results in 15-20 minutes
- Health Canada approved

Roche SARS-CoV-2 Rapid Antigen Test
- Antigen test
- Results in 15 minutes
- Health Canada approved

BTNX Rapid Test
- Antigen test
- Results in 15 minutes
- Health Canada approved

Boson Rapid SARS CoV-2 Antigen Test
- Antigen test
- Results in 15-20 minutes
- Health Canada approved

Artron Test
- Antigen test
- Results in 15-20 minutes
- Health Canada approved

SD Biosensor Rapid Test
- Antigen test
- Results in 15-30 minutes
- Health Canada approved

Antigen At-Home Tele-Test Service
- Antigen test
- Administered by health professional via video call
- Results within 1 hour
- Approved for travel to some countries
The place you choose to use to test for COVID-19 will depend on factors such as what type of test you want, how quickly you need the results and how long you’re willing to wait for an appointment. You may also choose to administer a test at home with a self-testing kit.
At a glance: Examples of where to get a COVID test in Canada
Where can I get tested? | How it works | Sample provider | Type of test used | Time to process results |
---|---|---|---|---|
COVID-19 test sites | You get swabbed on site and your samples are sent off to a lab for COVID-19 testing. | Pop-up sites operated by your province | Molecular or nucleic acid-based testing (PCR tests) | 1-2 days |
Private labs | You get swabbed or give blood on site and your samples are sent off to a lab for testing. | LifeLabs, Dynacare or Switch Health | Nucleic acid-based testing (PCR tests) or serology-based testing | 1-2 days |
Doctor’s office or pharmacy | You get tested for COVID-19 at your doctor’s office or pharmacy and they will give you the results within the hour. | Shoppers Drug Mart COVID-19 testing or at your local doctor’s office | Antigen-based testing (rapid COVID-19 test) | Usually under an hour |
Rapid COVID-19 test sites for school or work | You get tested for COVID-19 at businesses, schools and organizations that have been authorized to administer tests. | Authorized schools or workplaces that have requested rapid testing supplies | Antigen-based testing (rapid COVID-19 test) | Usually under an hour |
Self-administered test | You test yourself at home without the supervision of a healthcare professional. | Self-testing kits can be purchased online or through a drug store | Antigen-based testing (rapid COVID-19 test) | Varies |
Types of COVID tests
There are 3 main types of COVID tests that you can use to determine the current or past presence of COVID-19 (also known as SARS-CoV-2). These include the following:
Nucleic acid-based testing (PCR tests)
Molecular or nucleic acid-based tests (also known as PCR tests) are the most accurate way to test for COVID-19 and are usually carried out by specialized laboratories.
- How it works. It detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material (RNA) in respiratory samples to determine if COVID-19 is present.
- What it tests. It tests for a current COVID-19 infection (usually within 1-2 days).
- How samples are collected. Samples are collected through a nose, throat or oral swab.
- How long it takes. It usually takes 1-2 days to process the results.
Antigen-based testing (rapid tests)
Antigen tests are rapid COVID tests that produce quick results when you test for COVID-19 at doctor’s offices, pharmacies or in workplace/academic settings.
- How it works. Samples are placed in an extraction buffer or reagent and tested for the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific virus proteins (also called antigens).
- What it tests. It tests for a current COVID-19 infection (usually within 15 minutes).
- How samples are collected. Samples are collected through a nose, throat or oral swab.
- How long it takes. It usually takes 15 minutes to an hour to process the results.
How much does a COVID test cost?
The cost to test for COVID-19 will usually vary based on why you need the test done.
- Tests for people with COVID symptoms are free. These tests are performed to see if you need to self-isolate, and they are typically carried out at a doctor’s office, private lab or COVID-19 test site set up by your province.
- Tests for close contact with a COVID-19 case are free. These tests are for people who have been in close contact with COVID-19 cases. They aim to identify asymptomatic COVID-19 cases before the infection can spread. They are often carried out at doctor’s offices, private labs or COVID-19 test sites.
- Tests for employees or students are free. These tests are usually administered by large institutions to help identify cases quickly to limit spread. Your institution will notify you if regular testing is a condition of being present at your workplace or campus.
- COVID-19 tests for travel cost $40 to $200 on average. These tests are usually administered by private labs or pharmacies (for example, Shoppers Drug Mart COVID-19 testing). You can also self-administer a COVID-19 test for international travel though your results may not be admissible without validation from a medical professional.
COVID self-testing kits in Canada
COVID-19 self-testing kits are usually antigen-based testing kits that can be used at home. With most providers, you simply purchase a kit and set an appointment with a health specialist to collect your sample. You then send the sample to the company so that it can be processed.
You may also be able to test for COVID-19 at home if you’re able to process your samples yourself. However, these tests may give false positive or negative results, which means the results are often not eligible if you need them for travel purposes.
Where to buy Covid-19 home tests
Where to buy COVID home testing kits in Canada
Examples of COVID self-testing kits in Canada
There are several different forms of COVID-19 tests you can order to do at home. Below are some examples of popular tests and retailers that sell them.
Nucleic acid-based COVID-19 testing (PCR tests)
Test | Retailer | Price | Speed of results | Valid for travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ichor COVID-19 PCR Saliva test | Rexall | $199.99 | 1-2 days after sample is received at the lab | Yes |
PCR Swab Test (RT-PCR) | Santé Medic | $199.99 | Within 24 hours | Yes |
Antigen-based rapid COVID-19 tests
Test | Retailer | Price | Speed of results | Valid for travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
Boson Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test | MyZone Health | $199.99 (sale price) | 20 minutes or less | Only approved by some countries |
Boson Rapid COVID 19 Antigen Test | PPE Online | $333.75 (sale price) | 20 minutes or less | Only approved by some countries |
Panbio COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test | PPE Online | $500.63 (sale price) | 15 minutes | Only approved by some countries |
Antigen At-Home Service Tele-test | Go Test Rapide | $65.00 | 1 hour | Yes |
Rapid antigen test | Santé Medic | $99.00 | Within 15 minutes | Only approved by some countries |
BNTX rapid response antigen test | Rapid Test and Trace | $13 per test + cost of appointment | Within 3-5 days | Only approved by some countries |
Antibody testing
Test | Retailer | Price | Speed of results | Valid for travel |
---|---|---|---|---|
Antibody test | Santé Medic | $179.00 | Within 24 hours | Not applicable |
BNTX rapid response antibody test | Rapid Test and Trace | $13 per test + cost of appointment | Within 3-5 days | Not applicable |
Quick facts: COVID testing and vaccination requirements in Canada
This table was last updated on March 17, 2022. Visit the Government of Canada website for the latest rules on COVID travel, testing and vaccinations.Question | Answer |
---|---|
Do I need a COVID test to enter Canada? |
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Do I need a COVID test to leave Canada? |
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What types of COVID tests can I take for international travel? |
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Are COVID home tests available in Canada? |
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Do children need to take COVID tests to travel? |
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What if I can't supply COVID-19 test results at the airport? |
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Do I have to quarantine after entering Canada? |
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Do I need to be vaccinated to travel? |
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Which COVID vaccinations are approved in Canada? |
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How do I submit my COVID testing and vaccination info for travel? |
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Frequently asked questions
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