Proactive Community Testing (PCT) for COVID-19

Protect Texas Together by safeguarding our community. Participation is voluntary and results are confidential.

About PCT

Proactive Community Testing (PCT) provides a quick and painless saliva or painless nasal-swab COVID-19 test for asymptomatic UT Austin students and employees. Testing helps the campus community monitor and respond to COVID-19 cases, contributes significantly to slowing the spread of the virus and is provided at no cost to by the university.

PCT Testing Schedule

Appointments are recommended and same day appointments are usually available. Walk-ups are also accepted at the testing sites.

Glenn Maloney - SSB	Hours
Rapid Antigen Nasal Swab	Mon - Fri 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
PCR Saliva Sample	Mon - Fri 9 a.m. to noon

Mobile Clinic @ PRC Commons Atrium – Walk-up Only	Hours
PCR Saliva Sample	9:30 to 11:30 a.m. June 17, July 1, July 14, July 29

Glenn Maloney - SSB

Rapid Antigen Nasal Swab
Mon - Fri
9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

PCR Saliva Sample
Mon - Fri
9 a.m. to noon

Mobile Clinic @ PRC Commons Atrium – Walk-up Only

PCR Saliva Sample
9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
June 17, July 1, July 14, July 29

To Qualify for PCT

You must be a current UT Austin student or employee who:

Is not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, even if mild. PCT is for those who are 100% healthy. If you feel even a little sick, call your healthcare provider. Students, contact University Health Services for testing options. Employees, contact your healthcare provider or UT Health Austin.

To take the PCR saliva sample test, you must not have had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 90 days.

To take the Rapid Antigen nasal swab test, you must not have had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 10 days.

Which Test Should I Choose?

Considerations	Rapid Antigen Nasal Swab Test	PCR Saliva Sample Test
Advantages¹	Rapid identification of infectiousness	Most sensitive test available
Sample collection	Short nasal swab	Saliva, nothing by mouth 30 minutes prior
Turnaround time	15 – 30 minutes	Typically, 6-12 hours
When offered	Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.	Weekday mornings, 9 a.m. to noon
Qualifications for test type	No COVID-19 in the past 10 days	No COVID-19 in the past 90 days
Test Type	Antigen	NAAT RT-PCR
Recommended Testing Frequency	Twice a week, at least 36 hours between tests	Weekly

Rapid Antigen Nasal Swab Test

Advantage: Rapid identification of infectiousness

Sample collection: Short nasal swab

Turnaround time: 15 – 30 minutes

When offered: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Qualifications for test type: No COVID-19 in the past 10 days

Test Type: Antigen

Recommended Testing Frequency: Twice a week, at least 36 hours between tests

PCR Saliva Sample Test

Advantage: Most sensitive test available

Sample collection: Saliva, nothing by mouth 30 minutes prior

Turnaround time: Typically, 6-12 hours

When offered: Weekday mornings, 9 a.m. to noon

Qualifications for test type: No COVID-19 in the past 90 days

Test Type: NAAT RT-PCR

Recommended Testing Frequency: Weekly

¹More information here: CDC Table 1

How To Schedule a Proactive Community Test for COVID-19

UT Austin Students

Log into the MyUHS patient portal:

Click Profile. Ensure we have the best phone number and local address for you. We will call this Profile number, if necessary.
If this is your first time to schedule an appointment through the MyUHS patient portal since June 22, 2020:
- Select Medical Clearances and sign UHS Consent to Treat.
- Select Health History. Click Done or Looks Good.
Click Appointments, then Schedule an Appointment.
Select your UT Austin status. If you are both a UT student and employee, select Student.
Follow insurance status prompts.
When prompted, select “I want an appointment for a COVID-19 test or COVID-19 concern.”
Select "I do NOT have symptoms of COVID-19. I just want a COVID-19 test (including Proactive Community Testing)."
Follow prompts to schedule.
Save a screenshot of your appointment QR code or access it via the MyUHS portal to present at your appointment.
Carefully read the information in On the Day of Your Test (below) to ensure that you can be tested on the day of your appointment and maximize the accuracy of your result.

UT Austin Employees

Log into the MyUHS patient portal:

Click Profile. Ensure we have the best phone number and local address for you. We will call this Profile number, if necessary.
If this is your first time to schedule an appointment since June 22, 2020:
- Select Medical Clearances and sign the UHS Consent to Treat.
- Select Health History. Click done or Looks Good.
Click Appointments, then Schedule an Appointment.
Select your UT Austin status. If you are both a UT student and employee, select Student.
Select the option to schedule Proactive Community Testing and follow prompts.
Save a screenshot of your appointment QR code or access it via the MyUHS portal to present at your appointment.
Carefully read the information in On the Day of Your Test below to ensure that you can be tested on the day of your appointment and maximize the accuracy of your result.

On the Day of Your Test

If you do not feel healthy, cancel your appointment and contact your healthcare provider. Students, contact University Health Services for testing options. Employees, contact your health provider or UT Health Austin.
Download the Protect Texas Together App and:
- Complete the Symptom Survey for your Campus Pass. If denied access, cancel your PCT appointment, do not come to campus and contact your healthcare provider as noted above
- Give your consent to be tested. Click the PCT tile and follow prompts. You must show your Campus Pass and PCT Consent at the clinic. If you cannot use the app, paper forms for symptom checking and giving consent are available at the clinic.
If you are receiving the PCR saliva sample test:
- Drink water so you are hydrated for the test, but do not eat, drink, brush your teeth or use tobacco for 30 minutes before your appointment.
- Do not apply lip products before your appointment (e.g., lip balm, lipstick or lip gloss).
- If you are receiving the PCR saliva sample test for travel documentation, please verify testing requirements with your destination and airlines.
If testing in the Student Services Building, free parking is available in the 27th Street Garage. Bring your parking ticket into the clinic for validation.

Test Results

PCR saliva sample test results are available typically in 6-12 hours.
Rapid Antigen nasal swab test results are given within 15-30 minutes.
Results will be available on the MyUHS patient portal. To access results, log in, click Medical Records and select the Labs tab.
A secure message will be sent to you for all results.
Results will not be released to your department/faculty/employer.
If positive, your results may be shared with appropriate entities, such as Austin Public Health or HealthPoint/Occupational Health Program, for contact tracing purposes.

Protect Texas Together App Activity Pass and PCT

A “cleared” designation (green check) in your Activity Pass allows you to attend university-related events where COVID-19 documentation is required for one week from the date of your last PCT test. To begin this process:

Test with PCT and sign the Activity Pass consent housed in the Protect Texas Together App.
When your result becomes available in the MyUHS portal (see Results above), your Activity Pass will be updated with your clearance designation. If the virus is not detected, your “cleared” designation will be valid based on the recommended testing frequency depending on test type (saliva or nasal swab).
Test regularly to keep your green check, every 4 days with the short nasal swab rapid antigen test, and weekly with the saliva PCR test.

Laboratory Information and CLIA Certificate

Saliva PCR specimens are analyzed by the UT Austin High Throughput Testing Core (HTTC), a unit of the Center for Biomedical Research Support (CBRS) core research facility (Office of the Vice-President for Research). HTTC is certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform clinically diagnostic testing. View our CLIA certificate.

Rapid Antigen short nasal swab tests are conducted by UHS. View UHS Laboratory licenses.

For questions about PCT not answered above, email pct@austin.utexas.edu.