IMPORTANT CLOSURE NOTICE: The Pop Testing program will close effective May 19, 2023.
Testing sites at Jefferson Lot and Pappas Quad will no longer be in service. Employees and students may pick up antigen test kits (at no charge) from the USC bookstores, Engemann and Eric Cohen student health centers, and from the CSC desks in USC Housing.
Pop Testing is the COVID-19 testing program for USC faculty, staff, students and approved campus residents and contractors.
Log in using your USC NetID and password to make appointments.
- Schedule your test through the secure health records portal, MySHR.
- For users new to the portal, please see the Quick Guide for MySHR.
Saliva collection appointments should be scheduled to generate the scannable QR code for faster processing. Drop-offs may be made any time on the day of your appointment, regardless of your scheduled time.
Preparing for saliva sample collection:
- Please wait at least 30 minutes after brushing your teeth, eating, drinking (including water) or smoking/vapingbefore collecting a saliva sample.
- Clear liquid saliva is needed. (No bubbles, flecks, mucus or phlegm in the container.)
- Gently bite the inside of your cheek or lip to generate saliva.
- Place the funnel into the tube to collect your sample.
Saliva tests typically returns in 24 hours; Keck Medicine of USC Clinical Laboratories is providing the laboratory services for the saliva testing program, which is a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test.
Saliva testing kits are available to “take home” for sample collection
Pick up convenient home kits to provide saliva samples in the privacy of your home (one kit per person max).
- Kits can be picked up and dropped off at all of the testing locations during regular business hours (HSC and UPC locations: Jefferson Lot, Pappas Quad, and Eric Cohen Health Center, no appointment is necessary for pick up.)
- Appointments to drop off kits—within 12 hours of sample collection—may be made in MySHR. You may drop off at any time on the day of your appointment.
- You may ONLY produce your saliva sample at a designated testing area or your private residence/car – not on campus.
Encountering problems?
- See our MySHR Troubleshooting Guide.
COVID-19 Testing Schedule
Reminder: All testing sites are closed on Sundays and USC Observed Holidays.
NOTE: The USC COVID-19 Pop Testing program is for eligible USC students, faculty, staff, approved contractors, and approved campus residents only. Results are associated with your medical record; positive case information is required to be reported to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Do not use this program to let others screen/test using your identity as this constitutes identity fraud, delays contact tracing, and may lead to university disciplinary action and civil/criminal charges.
