This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Teens in Austin often have the same questions before a first STD test: Do I need a parent? Who will find out? What will it cost? This page answers them in plain language, for teens and for parents.

The answers below rely on Texas law, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the CDC and the clinics' own published pages. Where a detail is not published, we say so and point you to the clinic.

Consent: what Texas law says

Can minors get STD testing without parents in Texas?

Often, yes. Texas Family Code Sec. 32.003(a)(3) lets a minor consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious, contagious or communicable disease. The statute also says a parent or guardian's consent is not necessary for care under that section.

Is there a minimum age for STD testing for minors?

The statute sets no minimum age. A minor of any age may consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable disease under Sec. 32.003. Individual clinics may have their own age policies, and the clinic pages we reviewed do not publish them, so it is worth calling first.

Does the consent law cover HIV testing?

Yes. The DSHS publication "HIV and Texas Law" states that minors may consent to diagnosis and treatment of reportable diseases, including HIV. HIV testing for a minor therefore follows the same consent rule as other reportable infections.

Which infections count as "reportable"?

The DSHS Texas Notifiable Conditions list for 2026 includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, chancroid, HIV and AIDS. The sources we reviewed do not spell out how the consent rule applies to infections that are not on that list, such as herpes or trichomoniasis. A clinician can tell you how it works for the specific test you want.

Does the law cover treatment too?

Yes. Sec. 32.003 covers both diagnosis and treatment. Treatment is whatever a clinician prescribes after your results. Bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis, and trichomoniasis, are curable with treatment from a clinician, while HIV, herpes and HPV are treatable or manageable but not curable.

Confidentiality: who can find out

Is STD testing confidential for teens in Texas?

Clinics treat your health information as private, but Texas law does not let anyone promise absolute secrecy to a minor. Sec. 32.003(d) says a physician, dentist or psychologist may tell a parent or guardian about the treatment, with or without the minor's consent. Asking the clinic about its own practice before your visit is the best way to know what to expect.

Will the doctor tell my parents?

The law permits it but does not require it. Some summaries of Texas law leave this point out, so the statute text is the better guide. You can ask directly, "Will you contact my parent or guardian about this visit?" and decide with that answer in hand.

Can my parents see my results or my records?

The clinic pages we reviewed do not say how online portals or records requests work for minors. Ask the clinic who can access your results and whether a portal account would be visible to a parent. It is a fair question, and staff hear it often.

Could an insurance statement tell my parents about the visit?

It can be a concern if you are on a parent's plan. Kind Clinic says that since January 1, 2024, patients with health insurance must use their insurance to cover lab work. The same clinic says that if you are uninsured or cannot afford lab costs, its Kind Patient Assistance Program (KPAP) can help cover the cost. Ask any clinic how billing and insurance statements are handled before you book.

Does the health department find out about my results?

For certain infections, yes. DSHS lists chlamydia and gonorrhea as reportable within 1 week, primary and secondary syphilis within 1 work day, and other syphilis stages within 1 week. HIV is reportable within 1 work day if acute and within 1 week if not. This is a public health reporting process, and the clinic can explain what it includes.

Where to go in Austin

Where can a teen get low-cost STD testing in Austin?

The Austin Public Health Sexual Health Clinic at the RBJ Health Center, 15 Waller Street, says the fee for testing and treatment is only $30. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m., and you can schedule online or call 512-972-5430. The city's site notes that updates may be delayed, so confirm hours and fees by phone.

Are there free options?

ASHwell Sexual Health + Wellness, at 3100 Red River St, says its services are always free, though medication can have costs. It does not accept walk-ins, so call (512) 900-3116. Vivent Health, at 104 E. Highland Mall Blvd, says it offers free and confidential HIV testing; call 512-458-2437 for walk-in hours or an appointment.

Can I walk in without an appointment?

Kind Clinic offers walk-in testing for gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, HIV and hepatitis C at its Koenig Lane location, 101 W Koenig Lane, Ste 100. Walk-in STI testing is not offered at its South Austin site. Walk-in hours differ from regular hours, so call 833-937-5463 first.

What about school-based or teen-specific clinics?

The sources we reviewed do not list a school-based or teen-only STD clinic in Austin. Austin Public Health is the best place to ask what youth services exist. If you are a UT Austin student, University Health Services offers drop-in STI testing for people without symptoms, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis, at 512-471-4955.

Can I test at home?

DSHS runs Test for Texas, which offers free mail-order self-testing for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia at testfortexas.org. Together TakeMeHome, a CDC-funded program, mails free HIV self-tests to anyone 17 and older in the U.S. (fingerstick option 18 and older). Check each program's page for age rules that apply to you.

Where can I see the full list of Austin clinics?

Our guide to where to get tested in Austin and what it costs lists the clinics above in one place. The CDC's GetTested locator is another free way to find a site.

Testing basics for teens

Who should get tested?

The USPSTF recommends screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea in sexually active women 24 and younger, and HIV screening for people ages 15 to 65. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines add recommendations based on factors like sexual practices and partners. A clinician can tell you which tests fit your situation.

What does a clinic test for?

Austin Public Health says its standard tests are HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia. It can test for genital herpes only if you have active symptoms. Other clinics list their own menus, so ask which tests are included.

How soon after sex can a test find an infection?

The CDC explains that the time between exposure and a reliable result varies by infection and by test type. A clinician can tell you whether a test now is useful or whether a repeat test later makes sense for your situation.

What if my partner needs treatment too?

The CDC reports that Texas allows expedited partner therapy through administrative rules. Under those rules, clinicians may prescribe STD medication for partners of an established patient, and pharmacists may dispense it. Whether it applies to you is a question for your clinician.

What if a teen is pregnant?

Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 81.090 calls for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B tests at the first prenatal visit. It also calls for syphilis and HIV tests in the third trimester, not earlier than the 28th week. The woman may object to the HIV tests but not the syphilis tests.

How common are STIs in Austin?

The DSHS 2022 STD Surveillance Report lists Travis County's chlamydia rate at 712.6 per 100,000 people, compared with 519.9 for Texas that year. Its gonorrhea rate was 351.4 versus 207.0 statewide. These are county-wide numbers, not a measure of any one person's risk.

How can a teen talk to a parent about it?

Many teens find it easier to say they want a routine health visit first. Some bring a trusted adult to the appointment, and clinic staff can help with the conversation. Parents can help by staying calm and asking what support would be most useful.

STD Testing for Teens and Minors in Texas: Consent and Confidentiality