How Much Does a TB Test Cost at CVS?

Last Updated on November 6, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow – Economic & Pricing Investigator | Medical Review by Sarah Nguyen, MD

Educational content; not medical advice. Prices are typical estimates and may exclude insurance benefits; confirm with a licensed clinician and your insurer.

For many people, a tuberculosis screening is a simple checkbox for work, school, or volunteer clearance, but timing, visit type, and payment choice can change the bill more than you think. If you are shopping for a TB skin test at CVS MinuteClinic, knowing the likely cash price range, what is included, and how it compares with other providers helps you plan and avoid repeat visits.

A TB skin test, often called the Mantoux or PPD test, is placed under the skin and must be read by a clinician 48 to 72 hours later. Two visits are required. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s clinical guidance is clear on the timing and how the result is measured, which is why scheduling both visits matters for your costs and your result’s validity.

Article Highlights

• Typical CVS MinuteClinic self-pay price for a TB skin test is $50–$75 as of October 2025, with location variation.
• Two visits are required, placement then reading within 48 to 72 hours, or you may need to repeat and pay again.
• County clinics can be cheaper, from $15 to $52, but may add a clearance or forms fee and have limited hours.
• Urgent care pricing commonly posts at $50–$75, which aligns with retail clinic ranges.
• IGRA blood tests like QuantiFERON usually run $159–$189 cash and are used in specific scenarios.
• CVS accepts most insurance and allows HSA or FSA payments for MinuteClinic visits.

How Much Does a TB Test Cost at CVS?

Based on recent market data and what CVS publicly offers through its estimator, the typical self-pay out-of-pocket price for a TB skin test at retail clinics is $50–$75 as of October 2025. GoodRx indicates cash prices commonly fall between $50–$74, while MinuteClinic’s own pages describe insurance acceptance and out-of-pocket estimates that vary by location.

To cross-check that band, look at comparable clinic postings. TriHealth’s Clinic at Walgreens lists a split price, $30 for placement and $30 for reading, which totals $60. MD Now urgent care posts $75 for a TB skin test with a nurse visit. These numbers fit squarely inside the $50–$75 window many CVS locations quote for self-pay.

Public health departments can be cheaper, often subsidized. Shasta County, California lists a TB skin test at $52 and notes a separate fee for providing work or school clearance. Utah County, Utah posts $25. Marion County, Florida advertises $15. These examples illustrate the low end of the market and why some people choose county clinics when they have schedule flexibility.

The cost of a tuberculosis (TB) test at CVS MinuteClinic in the United States generally ranges from $75 to $175 for the tuberculin skin test (TST), according to BetterCare. Blood tests for TB (IGRAs) such as the QuantiFERON-TB Gold are more expensive and use a blood sample to detect infection, typically $150–$350 at specialized labs. MinuteClinic notes that insurance is accepted at many locations, which can significantly reduce costs. For uninsured patients, out-of-pocket pricing estimates are available, and costs may vary by location and promotions.

You might also like our articles on the cost of pulmonary function tests, Quantiferon TB Gold tests, or Stress tests with Echo.

The TB Test Appointment

Expect two touchpoints. Visit one is the placement, a tiny intradermal injection in the forearm. Visit two is the reading, when a trained clinician palpates and measures any induration at the site and documents the result on your form. Miss the 72-hour window and you usually need to restart, which can double your spend if you are paying cash.

Some clinics post a bundled price for both visits, others itemize placement and reading. For example, TriHealth’s Clinic at Walgreens lists separate $30 line items for placement and reading, while many urgent care chains present a single figure that implicitly covers both. MinuteClinic states that you can estimate your cost online and that most insurance plans are accepted, which is relevant if you want the visit billed rather than self-paying.

Factors That Influence the Cost

Insurance status drives the biggest difference. If MinuteClinic is in-network for your plan, your cost could be your copay or coinsurance, sometimes $10–$30 for a basic clinic visit, and occasionally zero when TB screening is routed as preventive in a high-risk population (see CVS insurance & billing and the USPSTF screening recommendation).

Location matters. County clinics show how wide the range is—from $15 in Ocala, Florida, to $52 in Shasta County, California. Retail clinic pricing tends to be steadier but can still shift a little with local wages and rent, which is why CVS encourages using its cost estimator rather than quoting a national flat price. If your employer requires a letter, some public clinics also charge a separate clearance or forms fee.

Add-ons shift totals. If a skin test is borderline, a provider may order an IGRA blood test such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus, which is commonly $159–$189 cash at direct-access labs. Some counties post a clearance visit fee, like Maricopa County’s $65 for TB clearance. Those extra items are not typical for a straightforward negative skin test but can apply in edge cases.

Insurance and Payment Options

CVS MinuteClinic accepts most major insurance plans and allows you to check coverage online before you book. For self-pay patients, CVS confirms that FSA and HSA cards are accepted, which is helpful for students and contract workers who prefer to use pre-tax funds. See accepted payment methods and cards on the CVS accepted payments page and scan current price lists for your location.

Other TB Testing Providers

MinuteClinic trades on convenience and broad hours. County health departments can be the least expensive, often $15–$52, but usually run on limited weekly clinic schedules and may add a modest fee to prepare official forms. Urgent care centers sit in the middle, with posted self-pay prices like $50 at AFC and $75 at MD Now—see a representative AFC self-pay schedule here.

How to Schedule

Booking is straightforward. Go to the MinuteClinic TB testing page, enter your ZIP code, select TB testing, then choose a date and time. Because the test must be read in 48 to 72 hours, consider booking both placement and reading when slots are open so you do not miss the window.

During and After Your Visit

At visit one, a clinician injects a tiny amount of purified protein derivative under the skin of your forearm, creating a small wheal. You receive written return instructions that specify the 48 to 72 hour reading window and what to do if you cannot return on day two.

At visit two, the clinician palpates the site and measures any induration in millimeters, then records the result with your identifying information. If the result is positive or borderline, you may be sent for an IGRA blood test like QuantiFERON or for chest imaging, which are separate services with separate prices (see Quest Diagnostics’ TB overview).

Common Use Cases

Employers, schools, and licensing bodies frequently require documented TB screening for clinical rotations, education programs, foster care, and high-risk settings such as correctional facilities or shelters. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening adults at increased risk, and many organizations align their onboarding checklists to that guidance.

Some public clinics charge a forms or clearance fee in addition to the test itself. Shasta County notes a fee for providing work or school clearance, and Maricopa County posts a $65 TB clearance charge that covers documentation for work, school, or volunteering. MinuteClinic can complete the form at the reading visit as part of the service.

Worked Example

Here is a realistic self-pay scenario anchored to posted prices. You book a TB skin test at a CVS location that quotes $69 for the visit, then return in 48 hours for your reading, total still $69 because the price is bundled. Your result is negative, the nurse completes your employer form at no extra charge, and you are done in two trips within three days. This sits in the middle of the $50–$75 range seen across retail clinics.

Edge cases raise totals. If your reading window is missed, many clinics require a complete retest which doubles your out-of-pocket. If a clinician orders an IGRA confirmatory test, expect an additional $159–$189 at direct-access lab pricing. Some county clinics add a clearance or forms fee, for example a $65 charge in parts of Arizona. Plan your visits tightly to avoid repeat testing.

Answers to Common Questions

How much is a TB test at CVS without insurance?

Most MinuteClinic self-pay quotes for a skin test fall between $50–$75 as of October 2025, with location-based variation. Use CVS’s estimator during booking to see your local price.

Is the second visit free or billed separately?

Many clinics bundle placement and reading into one price, while some itemize them—for example $30 placement plus $30 reading at some retail clinics. CVS shows a location-specific estimate that reflects how your local site bills.

Can I use insurance, HSA, or FSA to pay at CVS?

Yes, most plans are accepted, and CVS confirms acceptance of FSA and HSA cards for MinuteClinic visits. Check your plan’s copay or deductible before booking.

What if I had the BCG vaccine?

In that case, some clinicians prefer an IGRA blood test such as QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus to avoid false positives, usually a separate service in the $159–$189 cash range at direct-access labs.

Do I really need to return within 72 hours?

Yes. Readings must occur between 48 and 72 hours per CDC guidance, otherwise you generally need a new test which adds time and cost.