At-home screening tests
Some screenings can be done at home. The FDA says home tests can help find possible conditions when you have no symptoms, but they should not replace regular visits to your doctor, and most are best read together with your medical history, an exam and other tests. (FDA)
Home tests at a glance
| Test | What the sources say | More |
|---|---|---|
| Stool tests (FIT, stool DNA-FIT) | Recommended USPSTF screening options: FIT every year, stool DNA-FIT every 1 to 3 years. Done at home and mailed to a lab; no bowel prep. An abnormal result needs a colonoscopy. (USPSTF, 2021) | Stool test results |
| HPV self-collection | You can swab yourself at home, but a provider still has to order the test. Use only FDA-approved tests and devices; tests ordered online may not be good quality. (ACS, 2025) | HPV self-collection test |
| HIV self-test | The package explains the result and gives a phone number. After a positive self-test, see a health care provider: a positive result must be confirmed in a health care setting. (HIV.gov, 2026) | HIV test results |
| Hepatitis C | The FDA authorized the first point-of-care hepatitis C RNA test in 2024, using a fingertip blood sample, for certified settings such as doctor's offices, clinics and emergency departments, not for home use. (FDA, 2024) | Hepatitis C test results |
| Home blood pressure | The USPSTF recommends screening with an office reading, then readings outside the clinic to confirm high blood pressure before treatment starts. Home monitors are fully automated cuffs on the upper arm. (USPSTF, 2021) | Blood pressure readings |
| Cholesterol finger-prick kit | Measures total cholesterol from a drop of blood. Accuracy varies by brand and is printed on the package; tests traceable to a CDC program may be more accurate. Talk to your doctor about a high result; your doctor may want to test again. (FDA) | Cholesterol test results |
| Blood sugar at home | A home blood glucose check measures your level at that moment; an A1C test gives your average over the past two to three months and may be used to screen for type 2 diabetes. (MedlinePlus) | A1C and blood sugar results |
| Direct-to-consumer lab and genetic tests | Sold without a health care provider; you usually collect saliva or urine and mail it in. Some are reviewed by the FDA and some are not. (FDA) | BRCA genetic test results |
FDA review and CLIA in plain words
- FDA review. Direct-to-consumer tests for general wellness or low-risk uses are generally not reviewed by the FDA before they are sold. Tests for moderate to high risk medical uses generally are: the FDA checks that the test measures what it claims, that the measurement predicts a health state, and that the claims and instructions are clear for a consumer. (FDA)
- How to check a home test. Search the FDA IVD Over-The-Counter Database by test name; if it finds no record, the test may not be regulated by the FDA. You can also ask your pharmacist or the seller. (FDA) (FDA)
- CLIA. The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 set the rules for clinical labs, which need the right certificate before they can accept samples. CMS issues certificates and inspects labs, the FDA sorts tests by how complex they are, and the CDC develops standards. (FDA)
- Lab-developed tests. The FDA has generally not reviewed tests made and run in a single lab and offered only with a prescription, so they usually lack the FDA's independent check of accuracy and clear results. (FDA)
Why a positive home result needs a follow-up test
All tests can give false results; see your doctor if you think a result is wrong. (FDA) A home result is a starting point: an abnormal stool test is followed by a colonoscopy, a positive HIV self-test is confirmed in a health care setting, and readings outside the clinic are used to confirm high blood pressure. (USPSTF, 2021) (HIV.gov, 2026) (USPSTF, 2021) Your doctor decides what your result means for you. What usually happens next is on abnormal result? What usually happens next.
Accuracy limits
- Follow every instruction: most home tests need specific timing, materials and sample amounts. Check expiration dates and storage conditions. (FDA)
- Use new test strips authorized for sale in the United States; the FDA warns against previously owned strips. (FDA)
- Stool DNA-FIT catches more than FIT per test but gives more false positives, which means more follow-up colonoscopies. (USPSTF, 2021)
- Genetic test companies do not all test the same variants and can give different results for the same condition. A negative result means you may still be at risk. (FDA)
Where they differ:
- The USPSTF counts home stool tests (FIT and stool DNA-FIT) as recommended colorectal cancer screening for adults 45 to 75. (USPSTF, 2021)
- For direct-to-consumer genetic tests, the USPSTF found no evidence on benefits or harms. (USPSTF, 2019)
- For HPV, the American Cancer Society accepts self-collection at home, but the test must be ordered by a provider, and it prefers provider-collected samples because a positive sample can be tested further. (ACS, 2025)
Questions people ask
Is a home stool test a real colorectal cancer screening test?
Yes. The USPSTF lists FIT every year and stool DNA-FIT every 1 to 3 years among its recommended screening strategies. The sample is collected at home and mailed to a lab. When a stool test is abnormal, a colonoscopy is needed. (USPSTF, 2021)
Can I do an HPV test at home?
You can collect your own sample at home with a soft swab, but a health care provider still has to order the test. The American Cancer Society says HPV tests you order yourself online may not be good quality and to use only FDA-approved tests and collection devices. (ACS, 2025)
What should I do after a positive home HIV test?
Go to a health care provider for a follow-up test. A positive HIV test result must always be confirmed by more HIV testing in a health care setting. (HIV.gov, 2026)
How do I know if the FDA reviewed a home test?
Look it up in the FDA IVD Over-The-Counter Database, or ask your pharmacist or the seller. If the FDA does not regulate a test, the government has not found it reasonably safe or effective. (FDA) (FDA)
Does a direct-to-consumer genetic test replace genetic counseling?
The USPSTF found no evidence on the benefits or harms of direct-to-consumer testing. The FDA says a negative result can still leave you at risk and suggests talking about results with a genetic counselor or qualified health care provider. (USPSTF, 2019) (FDA)