Page updated: May 19, 2022, 2:05 p.m.
Reminder: Do not go to the Emergency Room (ER) to receive a COVID-19 test or for mild symptoms. Whatcom County has one hospital, and its Emergency Department needs to keep its focus on serving those with urgent or life-threating injuries/illnesses that require critical care. Speak with your doctor regarding COVID-19 testing or mild symptoms. Testing locations can be found on this page.
If you need a COVID-19 test because you are having symptoms or may have been in close contact with someone who's sick, get tested as soon as possible. You can make an appointment at our testing site in Bellingham at TestDirectly.com/whatcom or with any of the local testing providers.
If you are symptomatic or if you've been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please call 360-778-6100, Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (no voicemail). We'll help you schedule a same-day/next-day appointment if possible. You may also call Northwest Laboratory at 360-527-4592 for scheduling assistance Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
If you are unable to schedule a PCR test (lab test) or do not have a rapid, at-home test, please use this guidance:
If you need to make an appointment for a travel-related test in Whatcom County, you can:
The health department is unable to help schedule tests for travel to Canada or other destinations.
Check your travel destination for what you need to know about testing because some locations have specific requirements about where and when you get tested. Travel requirements for Canada are here.
Most insurance plans will not cover testing for the purposes of travel. Check with your insurance before you get tested for any travel-related testing to find out if they will cover the cost of the test.
If you need to be tested before surgery or another medical procedure, please schedule your test through your medical provider if possible.
For most workplaces, you do not need a negative test to return to work after having recovered from COVID-19. There are some exceptions such as schools, health care facilities and congregate living settings.
Other options:
We operate a drive-through community testing site located at Bellingham International Airport, Economy Lot B in Bellingham, WA. You must make an appointment to be tested at this site.
This site is accessible via Bennett Drive and Bakerview Road. Please do not take Airport Way to access this site. Watch for signs along the route indicated in the map above.
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Morning Hours | 7 - 9 AM |
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Afternoon Hours | 11 AM - 1:45 PM |
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11 AM - 1:45 PM |
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Evening Hours | 3 - 6 PM |
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For individuals with symptoms or exposure to confirmed cases only, you can make an appointment in two ways:
The community testing site at the airport no longer has funding to test uninsured patients for free:
Results from our testing site are usually available within 48-72 hours.
If you provide an email address, you will receive an email from Test Directly informing you as soon as your results are ready from Northwest Laboratory. The email will explain how to get your results.
If you have provide a cell phone number, you will receive a text message informing you as soon as your results are ready from Northwest Laboratory. The text message will explain how to access your results.
If you do not provide contact information when registering, you can check your results at https://www.testdirectly.com/patient/report. Insert your unique order ID, access key, and date of birth to download the report.
Additional Whatcom County Testing Locations
Reminder: don’t go to the ER just for a COVID-19 test or mild symptoms. We have only one hospital in Whatcom County, and its emergency department needs to keep its focus on serving those with urgent or life-threatening injuries/illnesses that require critical care.
Many health care providers in Whatcom County offer testing, including rapid antigen tests suitable for crossing the Canadian border. The table below is updated weekly with information about which providers currently test for COVID-19 and who have agreed to be on our list. Information is subject to change.
Northwest Laboratory at 3548 Meridian Street, Suite 101 in Bellingham offers drive-through testing for patients who have referrals from their healthcare provider and have made appointments. If you have a physician’s referral, call 360-527-4592 to schedule an appointment Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Visit their website for more information.
Clinic/Facility | Who Can Get Tested Here? | Do I need an Appointment? | Phone & Website | Additional Information |
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Any Lab Test Now (1225 E. Sunset Dr, suite 155, Bellingham) | Anyone (insurance not accepted, self pay only) | Walk-ins welcome (Monday - Friday 9.a.m - 5 p.m.) Appointments can be scheduled. | 360-684-1800 | Performs PCR tests suitable for travel. Cost: $189 per test. |
ARCpoint Labs (4220 Meridian St, Suite 101A, Bellingham) | Anyone (Medicare/Medicaid not accepted). | Call-in or online registration is preferred. | 360-922-0275 Website | Performs PCR tests suitable for travel. PCR same day (depending on inventory), 2 hour (depending on inventory), or 24-36 hour result options. Performs rapid antigen tests suitable for travel. Results accepted for Canadian travel. Cost: $75 per test. Pay upfront testing. (Pricing varies based on timing required). |
Care Medical Group | Anyone (insurances accepted) | No, walk-ins only. Drive up testing available (call for more information). | 360-734-4300 ext. 6 Website | COVID-19 testing has parking lot registration with testing performed in a designated area with no exposure to non-COVID-19 patients. |
Family Care Network (Bellingham, Lynden Locations) | Established FNC patients should call their provider. Non-FCN patients can access urgent care on-demand telemedicine visits. | Yes | Bellingham urgent care 360-671-4509 Lynden Urgent Care 360-354-4567 Main Website | Call ahead to describe symptoms or use FCN's on-demand telemedicine service. If FCN orders a COVID-19 test, you may be referred to the NW Labs Drive-through for testing. |
Ferndale Pharmacy (2057 Alder St, Ferndale) | Anyone (insurance not accepted, self pay testing). | Yes, schedule online only. | 360-325-4310 Website | Performs PCR testing Cost: $175 per test. Results ready in 45 minutes. Performs Rapid antigen testing suitable for travel.. Results accepted for Canadian travel. Cost: $60 per test. |
Hoagland Pharmacy (2330 Yew St, Bellingham) | Anyone (insurance not accepted, self pay testing). | Yes, schedule online only. | Website | Performs PCR Testing. Cost: $160 per test. |
Lummi Tribal Health Center | Native Americans residing in Whatcom County | Yes. Same day appointment available. | 360-383-8251 Website | |
MD Spa & Wellness (Birch Bay and Fairhaven locations) | Anyone (no insurance accepted, self pay testing). | Yes, online scheduling preferred. | 360-474-3535 Website | Performs rapid antigen testing suitable for travel. Results accepted for Canadian travel. Cost: $49 per test or free with purchase of a treatment from MD Spa & Wellness. |
Nooksack Health Center | Nooksack Indian Tribe and eligible members of federally recognized Tribes. | Yes, same day appointments available. | 360-966-2106 Website | Providers may order test as part of a patient's regular clinic visit. |
Nooksack Valley Drug (208 E. Main St, Everson) | Anyone (no insurance accepted, self pay testing). | Yes, schedule online only. Antigen scheduling PCR scheduling | 360-966-3481 Website | Performs rapid PCR tests. Cost: $161 per test. Performs rapid antigen tests suitable for travel. Results accepted for Canadian travel. Costs: see website for cost and eligibility information. Free tests are available for people with symptoms, exposure or required testing for medical procedures. |
Northwest Laboratory (NW Labs) | Anyone with a referral for COVID-19 testing from their healthcare provider. | Yes, can schedule online or by phone. | 360-527-4592 Website | Testing can be scheduled by phone Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday 8:00 a.m. -4:30 p.m. |
Rite Aid | Ages 4+ | Yes, online scheduling only. | Website | COVID-19 testing is only offered at drive-through locations: Blaine, Lynden, Ferndale and Bellingham (Telegraph and Northwest locations only). |
RX Mart Pharmacy | Anyone (no insurance accepted, self pay testing) | Yes, Online scheduling preferred. | 360-933-1401 Website | Performs rapid antigen testing suitable for travel. Results accepted for Canadian travel. Cost: $60 per test |
Sea Mar Community Health Center (Bellingham and Everson locations) | Established Sea Mar patients | Yes. Established Sea Mar patients should call their provider to schedule an appointment. | Bellingham 360-671-3225 Website Everson 360-354-0766 Website | |
Sumas Drug (1143 Cherry St, Sumas) | Anyone (no insurance accepted, self pay testing) | Yes, online scheduling only (Contact pharmacy if scheduling assistance required). | 360-988-2681 Website | Performs PCR testing. Receipt provided for submitting to insurance for billing. Cost: $175 per test. Performs curbside rapid antigen testing suitable for travel. Results accepted for Canadian travel. Cost: $60 per test. |
Unity Care NW (Bellingham and Ferndale locations) | Unity Care patients. | Yes, same day appointments available. Call to schedule an appointment. | 360-676-6177 Website Toll Free 877-235-6850 | Providers may refer patients to NW Labs drive-through for testing or recommend testdirectly.com Travel testing not available. |
Walgreens (Bellingham (Meridian, Samish and Sunset) and Ferndale locations) | Ages 3+ | Yes, online registration only. | Website | Performs PCR tests. Performs rapid tests. See website for testing details. All locations offer drive-through testing. |
Whatcom County Health Department (Bellingham International Airport, Economy Lot B) | Anyone. | Yes, rescheduling is required by phone or online. | 360-779-6100 | Performs PCR testing only. Self pay for uninsured. |
WWU Student Health Center | WWU Students. | Maybe. WWU students experiencing symptoms or have a known exposure should call the Student Health Center during business hours and ask to speak with a nurse. Students can also send a secure message via MyWesternHealth. | 360-650-3400 Website | Provider may refer patients to NW Labs drive-through for testing. |
RX Mart Pharmacy
If you are a healthcare provider or provide laboratory services and would like your organization added to this website, please contact us at covid@co.whatcom.wa.us.
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order two sets of four free at-home COVID-19 tests. The tests are completely free. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days. Order here: covidtests.gov or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).
In addition, Washington state residents can order up to two sets of five free at-home tests per month. Tests are completely free. Orders will usually arrive within 1-2 weeks. The free test kits are available for a limited time, while supplies last. Order here: https://sayyescovidhometest.org or call 1-800-525-0127.
Buying a test from a pharmacy? If you have health insurance, most insurers will now reimburse you for up to 8 at-home tests per month, for each person on your plan.
As testing demand increases, many people with symptoms of COVID-19 are using at-home tests that are available over-the-counter. Most at-home tests are antigen tests, which are inexpensive and produce results within minutes.
Rapid, at-home antigen tests may not detect very small amounts of virus in your sample. They provide the best results when used while you're experiencing symptoms or about five (5) days after you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. If you choose to use an at-home COVID-19 test, make sure to carefully follow the instructions on the test kit.
Report positive test results. People who test positive should call the COVID-19 Hotline at 1–800–525–0127. Alternatively, they can fill out this online form, which helps us to track the spread of disease in the community.
What You Need To Know About At-Home COVID-19 Tests (PDF)
Qué necesita saber sobre el kit de prueba casera de COVID-19 (PDF)
Что следует знать о домашних экспресс-тестах на коронавирус (PDF)
If you have COVID-19 symptoms you should get a test. Even if your symptoms are mild, getting a test can be informative and help you know if you are currently contagious.
If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case, you should get tested.
Even if you’re fully vaccinated, get tested right away if you have COVID-19 symptoms. A small percentage of vaccinated people have gotten COVID-19. In addition to testing, isolate yourself from others immediately if you experience symptoms, even if you’re fully vaccinated. If you have COVID-19, you can spread COVID-19, whether or not you’ve been vaccinated.
If you’ve been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, and you’re fully vaccinated and don’t have any symptoms, you do not need to quarantine, get tested, or stay home from work. You should still wear a well-fitting, high-quality mask around others and monitor for symptoms for 10 days after exposure, and seek testing right away if symptoms develop.
These rules do not apply in health care, correctional facilities or or homeless shelters. For more information on COVID-19 testing guidance for the fully vaccinated, refer to the CDC’s Interim Public Health Recommendations of Fully Vaccinated People.
Most people will not be charged for COVID-19 testing that isn't travel-related. Health plans regulated by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner must cover testing and related visits. You can check with your health insurance plan to see about out-of-pocket payments associated with COVID-19. Additional information on insurance coverage and testing costs are available on our FAQs page.