Where can I get tested?

Finding a location to get STI testing done is relatively easy - but a lot of time it seems more difficult than it is. There are a number of options available when it comes to testing, so choose one that you feel comfortable with. Regardless of where you go to get testing done, it’s important to remember that all STI testing is completely confidential and none of your information will be shared. We’ve put together a short list of locations to help you decide.

1. STI Clinics

There are a few clinics in Edmonton run by nurses that specialize in sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment. Visit our Access section to find the locations. The benefit of going to these locations is that these healthcare providers deal with STIs and sexual health all day, every day. Nothing will shock them. They also are able to perform all testing on-site, meaning that it is a one-stop-shop and you don’t need to go anywhere else to actually get testing done. The downside is that you can’t make an appointment; instead people are seen based on severity. This ensures that the people that need care the most are seen as quickly as possible. While this is ideal for people that may be showing signs of an infection, it can mean that people showing up for routine testing might end up waiting a while.

STI Testing Locations in the Edmonton area

  • HIV Edmonton

  • Compass Centre for Sexual Wellness

    • Offers counselling, sexual health education, outreach services and referrals to anyone who has questions about their sexual health.

    • Location: #703, 10050-112St, Edmonton, AB, T5K 2J1

    • E-mail: info@compasscentre.ca

    • Website: www.compasscentre.ca

    • Phone: 780-423-3737

2. Family Doctor

All family doctors are able to provide testing and diagnosis of STIs, and should be able to provide treatment as well. After a discussion with your doctor about what kind of testing you might require, the may do testing at the clinic or they will give you a requisition form and send you to a lab. This is a piece of paper that lists all the different tests that need to be done. You can bring this form to any medical lab, where they can do all of the testing. While this is an added step in the equation, seeing a family doctor for STI testing allows you to schedule an appointment that works with your schedule. It also gives you an opportunity to have an ongoing conversation with your doctor about your sexual health which is an important aspect of your overall health.

3. Medicentre/Walk-in Clinic

General physicians at walk-in clinics are able to provide you with a requisition for STI screening which you can then take to any medical lab and get testing done. This is an alternative for people that might not have a family doctor, or want to go to a location that is more convenient for them. To find a location and hours, visit our Access section.

4. Steamworks

Steamworks has an outreach office on the lower floor that offers STI testing every Tuesday and Thursday from 1-4pm. This testing is specifically catered towards MSM, and also offers Rapid HIV testing that can give you a result within a couple of minutes.

5. Pride Centre of Edmonton

The Pride Centre of Edmonton offers STI testing on every second and fourth Wednesday of the month.

How do I get tested?

Testing for STIs can involve a urine sample, blood tests, genital exams and sometimes swabs. Some tests can be done in a clinic, but you may also be sent to a lab. Your healthcare provider will explain which tests you need. You can refuse any tests you don’t want, but the ones being recommended to you are in your best interest. Always ask questions if you are unsure.

Cisgender guys are often scared because sampling used to require swabs from the urethra (or the inside of the penis); however, with newer tests, infections once tested by this means can now be tested by a urine sample. Sometimes your healthcare provider will still recommend a swab from the urethra (to determine whether they have given you the appropriate antibiotic) when you’ve noticed discharge, it burns when you pee, or if you’ve had sex with someone who has an STI. This can be a little uncomfortable, but it’s over quickly.

At a minimum you should be tested for the following:

  • Gonorrhea/Chlamydia

    • Urine test (if you have had any type of sexual contact – oral, anal, or frontal)

    • Rectal swab (if you have had receptive anal sex, i.e. a penis in your butt or you are having symptoms from your rectum such as discharge, bleeding, or pain)

    • Throat swab (if you have performed oral sex on someone with a penis, i.e. you have had a penis in your mouth)

    • Urethral swab (this may be recommended if you are experiencing symptoms or have had sex with someone with a STI – to determine if they should offer you treatment immediately and/or whether you are being treated with the appropriate medication).

  • Syphilis/HIV

    • Blood Test (if you have had any type of sexual contact – oral, anal, or frontal)


You should also talk to your healthcare provider about being tested for the following:

  • Hepatitis A (all men who have sex with men because of risks associated with oral/anal contact, i.e. rimming)

    • Blood Test – You only need this test if you have not received a previous immunization for Hepatitis A. This test is not testing you directly for the Hepatitis A virus, rather, it is testing to see if you have protection (antibodies) against Hepatitis A. If the test is negative, it means you need to be immunized against Hepatitis A.

  • Hepatitis B (if you have had any type of sexual contact – oral or anal)

    • Blood Test – You only need this test if you have not received a previous immunization for Hepatitis B. Most people now receive that vaccine in school. The test is testing for both the infection and to see if you have protection. Again, if the test is negative, it means you need to be immunized against Hepatitis B.

  • Hepatitis C (if you have shared drug equipment or have had unprotected anal sex)

    • Blood Test – This is testing to see whether you have the infection or not. There is no immunization against Hepatitis C.

How often should I get tested?

Recommended Frequency of STI Testing

If you’re having sex with new partners or your partners have other sexual partners, consider getting tested every 3 to 6 months. If you feel like you were exposed to an STI or you’ve been involved in sexual activities that carry a higher risk of contracting something you may want to get tested more frequently. Finally, we recommend yearly testing for everyone.

You should always seek medical attention and testing if you have symptoms including pain when you pee, unusual discharge from your urethra or front hole, painful lumps in the groin or warts/ulcers/sores on or around the genital area. Don’t forget, if you practice oral, anal or frontal sex, consider getting tested if you have discharge, pain or lesions in the mouth, throat, anus or frontal hole.

Window Period

A window period refers to the time between a potential first exposure to an STI/HIV and when the test will give an accurate result. In other words, there is a period of time when a test may be falsely negative. This is particularly important for HIV. HIV screening now looks for certain proteins in the virus, as well as antibodies (proteins that the body makes to fight the virus). The test must therefore be done once the virus has multiplied enough to be detected and the body has had enough time to produce antibodies. This normally takes 15-20 days but could take up to 3 months. If you have a high risk or suspicion of acquiring HIV, it is important to have testing repeated at 3 months after the potential exposure, in order to confirm a negative test.

Partner Notification

What is a notifiable infection?

In Alberta, there are several STIs which are classified as “notifiable”. This means that when someone tests positive for one of these infections, that information is shared with public health so that they are able to locate and treat anyone who may have been exposed. This includes:

  • Gonorrhea

  • Chlamydia

  • Syphilis

  • HIV/AIDS

  • Non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU)

  • Mucopurulent cervicitis

  • Hepatitis A, B and C

What do I have to disclose?

If you test positive for an STI, it’s okay. People have sex. People get infections. It’s not uncommon, and that doesn’t make you a slut (unless you proudly identify as one-and that’s okay).

However, it is important that anyone who may have been exposed to an STI is identified and contacted so that they can be tested and treated if necessary. To do this, you will need to provide some information about your partners (within a relevant time frame) to your health care provider. This includes name, phone number, address, or any other type of identifying information that can be used to locate or contact. Give as much information as you can; and if that means that all you are able to provide is a phone number, that is totally ok.

Any information that you give to your health care provider is strictly confidential. This info is then shared with public health staff so that your partners can be contacted and informed of what they have been potentially exposed to and recommend that they also get tested and treated This is completely anonymous, and your name and any other personal information will never be mentioned during this process.

What happens if I get contacted?

First of all, don’t panic. Being contacted only means that you were potentially exposed to something and does not 100% mean that you currently have an STI. If you are contacted by a Partner Notification Nurse (PNN), then they will explain what you have been potentially exposed to and recommend testing. From there, you simply have to go and get tested to find out whether or not you actually have something.

Contact by a PNN is generally made by phone, although text and email are also options. There is no formal process in place in Alberta regarding social media contact although some other regions have implemented public health profiles on certain dating or hookup apps and sites for this purpose. In the meantime, individuals who are diagnosed can use social media or online apps and sites to notify partners themselves – particularly if this is how they met, and they do not have the person’s name and/or phone number.

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The QTHC is based in Amiskwaciwâskahikan (ᐊᒥᐢᑲᐧᒋᐋᐧᐢᑲᐦᐃᑲᐣ) within Treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting ground and home of the Nêhiyaw (Cree), Denesuliné (Dene), Nahkawininiwak (Saulteaux), Niitsítapi (Blackfoot), and Îyârhe Nakoda (Nakota Sioux), as well as nations not represented by the treaty, and is located in Region 4 of the Métis Nation of Alberta. We commit to engaging in an ongoing process of decolonization, and will strive to conduct our work in an anti-oppressive and anti-racist way, working towards equity, empowerment, and inclusion for all Two Spirit, queer, trans, and non-binary people.