COVID-19 Testing

• Testing Site:
  • Camden Campus Center 
    APPOINTMENT REQUIRED. Scheduling instructions are available on the COVID-19 Testing Instructions webpage.
    Raptor Roost Room 001 (Lower Level)
    326 Penn Street
    Camden, NJ 08102
• Test Kit Vending Machines:
  • Campus Center
    Lower Level, Pit Area
    326 Penn Street, Camden
    Visit here for current operating hours
• Drop Boxes:  
  • Science Building
    315 Penn Street, Camden
    Hours: Hours: 7am10pm (Last pick up – Thursdays 8am)
    Faculty/staff ID required
  • Campus Center, outside of viewing room
    326 Penn Street, Camden
    Visit here for current operating hours

• Testing Sites:
  • Student Activities Center (SAC) [This testing location will be closed May 12 to September 6, 2022.]
    613 George St.
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy
    Scheduling instructions are available on the COVID-19 Testing Instructions webpage.
    William Levine Hall
    160 Frelinghuysen Rd.
    Piscataway, NJ 08854
    Hours: 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Monday–Friday
  • Robert Wood Johnson Medical Education Building
    MEB Entrance near Atrium
    One Robert Johnson Place
    New Brunswick, NJ 08903
    Hours: Monday– Friday 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.
• Test Kit Vending Machines/Grab and Go Pickup
  • Public Safety, Main lobby
    55 Paul Robeson Boulevard
    New Brunswick, NJ
    Hours: 24/7
  • College Ave Student Center
    Foyer
    126 College Ave
    New Brunswick, NJ
    Hours: Monday– Friday 8 a.m.–midnight, Saturday– Sunday 11 a.m.– midnight
  • Busch Student Center, Main foyer, bus stop side (inside door near drop box)
    604 Bartholomew Road
    Piscataway, NJ
    Hours: Monday– Friday 8 a.m.– midnight, Saturday– Sunday 11 a.m.– midnight
  • Livingston Student Center
    84 Joyce Kilmer Ave
    Piscataway, NJ 08854
    Hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.– midnight, Saturday– Sunday 11 a.m.– midnight
  • Foran Hall
    Front Lobby
    59 Dudley Rd
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
  • RWJUH Atrium
    outside of MEB
    1 RWJUH Place
    New Brunswick, NJ
    Hours: Monday– Thursday 6 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday 6 a.m.– 6 p.m. via CAB [125 Paterson Street]

• Drop Boxes (no lab pickup from early Friday afternoon through Sunday):
  • College Avenue Student Center Lobby
    126 College Ave
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.– midnight, Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.– midnight
  • Busch Student Center
    604 Bartholomew Road
    Piscataway, NJ 08854
    Hours: Monday– Friday 8 a.m.– midnight, Saturday– Sunday 11 a.m.– midnight
  • Livingston Student Center
    84 Joyce Kilmer Ave
    Piscataway, NJ 08854
    Hours: Monday– Friday 8 a.m.– midnight, Saturday– Sun 11 a.m.– midnight
  • Public Safety Building
    55 Paul Robeson Boulevard
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Hours: 24/7 (swipe card access required during night hours)
  • Ernest J Mario School of Pharmacy
    160 Frelinghuysen Rd.
    Piscataway, NJ 08854
    Hours: Monday– Thursday 8:30 a.m.– 3:30 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m.– 1 p.m.
  • Foran Hall (Swipe card access required)
    Cook Campus, 59 Dudley Road
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.–12 noon
  • Hurtado Health Center
    11 Bishop Pl
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Hours: Available during health center hours Monday– Thursday, Friday until 3 p.m.
  • Medical Education Building (MEB) at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH)
    One Robert Johnson Place (accessible via CAB, 125 Paterson St.)
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Hours: 24-hour access from 8 a.m. Sunday– 2 p.m. Friday
  • Eric B Chandler Clinic (inside the rear entrance on Morris to the left)
    277 George St
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Hours: Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.– 8 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
    If ID access isn’t available, ring the bell for entrance. Between 4:30– 8 p.m., use the front entrance on George Street.
  • Clinical Academic Building (CAB) Lobby next to the security desk
    125 Paterson Street
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Hours: Monday-Thursday 6 a.m.– 7 p.m., Friday 6 a.m.– 1 p.m.
  • UBHC Main entrance foyer:
    671 Hoes Lane West
    Piscataway, NJ 08854
    Hours: 8 a.m. Sunday– 2 p.m. Friday
  • Foran Hall (2), Main lobby
    59 Dudley Road
    New Brunswick, NJ 08901
    Hours: Monday– Friday, 8 a.m.– 7 p.m.
  • Busch Livingston Health Center
    110 Hospital Road
    Hours:  Available during Health Center Hours Monday – Thursday, Friday until 3:00 p.m.

• Testing Site:
  • Blumenthal Hall
    APPOINTMENT REQUIRED. Scheduling instructions are available on the COVID-19 Testing Instructions webpage.
    249 University Ave, 2nd Floor, Room 203
    Newark NJ 07102
    973-353-3756
• Test Kit Vending Machines
  • Woodward Hall
    91 Bleecker Street, Newark, NJ
    Hours: 24/7
• Drop Boxes:  
  • Woodward Hall
    91 Bleecker Street, Newark, NJ
    Hours: 24/7 from Monday – Noon on Friday
    Swipe card access may be required
  • Ruth Bader Ginsburg Residence Hall
    15 Washington, Newark, NJ
    Hours: 24/7 from Monday – Noon on Friday
    Swipe card access may be required
  • Blumenthal Hall
    249 University Ave, 1st Floor lobby, Newark NJ
    Hours: 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    Swipe card access may be required

• Testing Site:
  • ADMC Building 16-18
    APPOINTMENT REQUIRED. Scheduling instructions are available on the COVID-19 Testing Instructions webpage.
    Contact: (973) 972-4604
    Hours: M-F  2:00-4:30 p.m.
• Test Kit Vending Machine
  • ICPH, Lobby
    225 Warren Street
    Newark, NJ 07103
    Hours: M-F, 7am-6pm
• Drop boxes (no lab pickup from early Friday afternoon to Sunday):

At this time, the campus surveillance testing program is only testing unvaccinated students and employees, and university-affiliated close contacts of infected students and employees.
Students who are vaccinated are being tested if they are a close contact of an infected student or employee, or if they have possible COVID-19 symptoms and are directed by Student Health to test.

Students can test on their own or through Student Health. Contact information for Student Health Services across our campuses is listed below.

Students who choose to test through Student Health will be evaluated by staff and, if approved for testing, will be directed to a nearby COVID-19 test vending machine or center to obtain a test. Students will be instructed to fill out an online questionnaire at https://rtr.ipo.rutgers.edu/questionnaire and submit the test in a designated drop box. Students should remain in their residence hall/residence and minimize exposure to others until test results are returned (typically in 24-48 hours).

COVID-19 symptoms may include:

• Fever over 100.4 F or chills
  Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Worsening or new onset of fatigue, muscle or body aches, headaches, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea

Where to call for testing
Testing is available through Student Health, a personal healthcare provider, pharmacies, local testing facilities or a local urgent care facility. On occasion, tests may be in short supply in the community. If you have symptoms and cannot access a test, please follow CDC guidelines and isolate from others until you can be evaluated.

Camden:  856-225-6005

Newark:  973-353-5232

New Brunswick:  848-932-7402 (After Hours Nurse Line 1-800-890-5882)

RBHS – Newark:  973-972-8219

RBHS – NB/Piscataway:  732-235-5160

All campuses hotline:  M-F, 9-5 848-445-3033

Students with symptoms should stay in their residence hall or off-campus housing and wear a mask when going out beyond their residence and around others. They should refrain from going to classes and accessing public spaces on- and off-campus such as student centers, dining halls, computer labs, recreation centers, gyms, restaurants, and other public places.

Students with a medical or religious exemption must submit a weekly COVID-19 PCR test. They may utilize the Rutgers saliva testing program and claim a kit at one of our testing centers or vending machines. Alternatively, they may test with a PCR test from a non-Rutgers site and upload the results to https://rtr.ipo.rutgers.edu/questionnaire/.

Clinical students with medical or religious exemptions must submit two COVID-19 PCR tests a week.

Yes. Those who received exemptions from vaccination must still submit COVID-19 PCR tests. Rutgers is an open campus and students may choose to take all online courses and still come to campus.

Weekly testing is required of non-clinical Rutgers affiliates for which no record of vaccination against COVID-19 has been submitted to the university. Covered Individuals and students working in clinical settings who have an approved exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, are currently required to test twice a week.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 outside of Rutgers should call their campus Student Health to report the infection. Student Health will help identify next steps, including housing plans and who to tell.

Camden:  856-225-6005

Newark:  973-353-5232

New Brunswick:  848-932-7402

RBHS – Newark:  973-972-8219

RBHS – NB/Piscataway:  732-235-5160

Rutgers University is requiring SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing (for the active virus that leads to COVID-19) of employees and students for which no record of vaccination against COVID-19 has been submitted to the university.

Weekly testing is required of non-clinical Rutgers affiliates who have an approved exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Covered Individuals and students working in clinical settings who have an approved exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, are currently required to test twice a week.

The university Testing Protocol Action Group recommends SARS-CoV-2 testing based on risk assessments of individuals or groups to help mitigate the risk of transmission for strategic reasons.

Testing strategy decisions are based on risk assessments and other factors below, as well as case identification/outbreaks.

The university Testing Protocol Action Group is informed by:

• CDC and NJDOH Guidance
• Health system partner requirements
• Testing capacity/logistics

Risk assessments will be based on, but not limited to, the following criteria:

• Vaccination rates
• Ability to maintain physical distancing while completing activities on campus
• Working and/or learning in a patient-care environment
• Exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case
• Congregate living environment (e.g. residence halls)
• Working and/or learning in an environment where they may expose individuals who are at risk for severe illness
• Other factors that may increase or decrease risk based on the evolving science and public health data

Individual testing requests should be directed to your personal health care provider. If you believe that your department should be tested, please direct that suggestion to your department leadership.

The safety and well-being of the Rutgers community is a shared responsibility among all of its members. All members of the Rutgers community should monitor symptoms daily and stay home if they are ill, wear face coverings to help reduce the spread of disease, practice social distancing, wash hands frequently, and wipe down frequently used surfaces. Performing these measures will help to prevent disease transmission.

Please visit the Guide to Returning to Rutgers plan to learn more about how the university is working to keep our community safe.

Weekly testing is required of non-clinical Rutgers affiliates who have an approved exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Covered Individuals and students working in clinical settings who have an approved exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, are currently required to test twice a week.

In certain instances an employee may obtain relief from the testing requirement by receiving a testing waiver. Such instances include, but are not limited to, employee’s sabbatical or approved leave of absence or use of paid-time-off for 5 or more consecutive days.  Further criteria and application information can be found by visiting the testing requirement waiver request form.

Individuals who have uploaded their vaccination record(s) to the Rutgers Vaccination Portal (NetID required) are exempt from the weekly testing requirement unless otherwise directed by Occupational Health or Student Health.

Not vaccinated yet? Schedule an appointment at one of Rutgers’ convenient on-campus vaccination clinics. Rutgers affiliates can register for an appointment via the Rutgers Vaccination Portal, community members should contact the Rutgers Vaccine Scheduling Assistance Program.

Individuals who have uploaded their vaccination record(s) to the Rutgers Vaccination Portal (NetID required) are exempt from the weekly testing requirement unless otherwise directed by Occupational Health or Student Health.

Rutgers is utilizing Saliva PCR tests for this program. The test is a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization authorized molecular test that uses a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to identify the presence of viral transcripts which, if present, confirm an active infection of COVID-19.

The test meets FDA sensitivity and specificity standards for the detection of COVID-19. The use of saliva as the primary test material is directly comparable to all other sample types currently used for testing. Positive test results are very reliable; however, an individual could be tested too early in the course of their illness to detect the virus, resulting in a false negative test.

Testing is available on all campuses to any member of the Rutgers community authorized to receive COVID-19 testing. Please make an appointment through the Return to Rutgers webpage: go.rutgers.edu/COVID-19-Testing. Detailed instructions on how to schedule and perform testing are available on our COVID-19 Testing Instructions webpage.

Walk-up testing is available by appointment. Grab and Go and Drop Box locations are also available on each campus.  View testing locations here.  (Please review appropriate campus status information before traveling – especially during inclement weather – for updated hours of operation)

The Rutgers testing program utilizes the Saliva PCR test to identify virus particles. Saliva is deposited into a test tube, similar to giving a specimen for the well-known commercial genetic testing companies. As compared with the nasopharyngeal swab method, this testing method reduces risk of transmission, reduces use of personal protective equipment, and can be done at home.

The sample should be dropped off within 24 hours.

Infinite BiologiX (IBX) may use excess saliva from tests for quality assurance and quality control purposes, and instrument validation as needed.  All the samples are de-identified (IBX holds no Protected Health Information from patients) and are only used for COVID related testing/validations, so only RNA extraction is performed.  No host DNA extraction or analysis is performed.

Testing in the health care workforce will be coordinated with our health care system partners to provide as much consistency as possible.

Identifying information will never be shared publicly. Aggregate test results and total number of tests performed through the Rutgers strategic testing program are shared on the university’s testing program dashboard.

If you have already tested positive for COVID-19, you should not be retested at this time.

If you test positive you should not retest for COVID-19 within 90 days of that positive test, unless otherwise specifically authorized by Student Health or Occupational Health.

If you are experiencing any symptoms related to COVID-19, you must stay home, notify your supervisor as soon as possible, and contact your personal health care provider or student health to discuss testing and treatment. Symptoms may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches, loss of sense of smell or taste, or stomach upset.

Yes.  The Consent for Testing must be signed electronically when you test on campus and complete the Lab Requisition, in order to proceed with testing.  If you do not sign the Consent, you must obtain a PCR test off campus (eg. Urgent Care, CVS, Walgreens, etc.) and upload it to RTR according to the required schedule for compliance (eg. once weekly or twice per week).  You will be responsible for the cost of off-campus testing if insurance does not cover the cost.

Yes, you can upload valid PCR test result documents to Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety COVID-19 Testing website. At this time, only PCR or antigen test results from a laboratory will be accepted.  At home tests and antibody tests are NOT acceptable to satisfy Rutgers weekly or biweekly testing requirements for unvaccinated individuals.

Detailed instructions on how to schedule and perform testing are available on our COVID-19 Testing Instructions webpage.

Claims for testing will be submitted by the lab to your health insurance. No copay or coinsurance fee is to be charged for COVID-19 related testing or services. Testing done through Rutgers Student Health or Rutgers COVID testing program is at zero cost to students and there is no cost for unvaccinated employees, although, you must provide your insurance information and attest that you are unvaccinated and as such eligible to access free testing. The test is billed through the students’ insurance. For students or employees who may not have health insurance, costs will be covered by the university.

If a billing statement from Accurate Diagnostics Lab (ADL) is received for a COVID-19 test, please call ADL to answer information about your insurance (telephone: 732-839-0843). Please call even if you do not have health insurance. Uncovered or denied charges for COVID-19 testing will be paid by the university.

Rutgers community members who have recently taken a COVID-19 test at the university and have Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey may receive a communication stating that a payment is due to the provider Accurate Diagnostic Labs. This is an error, and no action is required on your part. Please read the memo regarding COVID test bills.

No.

Results will typically be available about 48–72 hours from the time the sample is submitted to the lab.

You will be notified via email when your test results are available. You can access your results by logging into the Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety COVID-19 Testing website using your NetID and password (two-step authentication is required — to enable two-step authentication, visit OIT for instructions). From the website you can print the test result and a clearance letter for your supervisor.

Those who have tested positive will receive phone notification from Occupational Health or Student Health.

A positive test indicates the presence of the novel coronavirus in the sample that was tested. Individuals who test positive for SARS-CoV-2 may never develop symptoms or you may develop symptoms in the future. It is possible to transmit the virus even in the absence of symptoms. If your test result is positive, someone from Occupational or Student Health will contact you to provide instructions and answer questions. In addition, you will be contacted by the local health department in an effort to identify any additional close contact you may have to help identify others who may be at risk for disease and again help to reduce transmission and contain the virus. Please notify your supervisor and contact UHR OneSource for appropriate leave information.

Rutgers will store the individual data in a secure electronic environment. While individual results will never be reported, aggregate results for all testing done through the Rutgers testing program will be tracked and reviewed by the Rutgers Testing Protocol Action Group to monitor community health.

All laboratories conducting testing are required by law to report results to the New Jersey Department of Health. The health care provider ordering the testing may also report positive testing to the local health department. Reporting positive cases to the local health department facilitates the processes for contact tracing—an important aspect of trying to reduce the transmission of disease. If you have tested positive, others you have come into contact with, including individuals in your workplace, may be contacted for contact tracing, but your name will not be released.

Your supervisor will be notified that you are not cleared to return to work to ensure that safety measures are being taken in your workplace. Your close contacts may be asked to quarantine in accordance with health agency guidelines.

If you test positive you should not retest for COVID-19 within 90 days of that positive test, unless otherwise specifically authorized by Student Health or Occupational Health.

A negative test means that the novel coronavirus is not detected in the sample that was tested. Individuals who test negative may still become infected in the future and need to follow all recommended workplace and community precautions. There is a chance of a false negative. A second test within 1-3 weeks will often help reduce this false negative rate.

Rutgers will store the individual data in a secure electronic environment. While individual results will never be reported, aggregate results for all testing done through the Rutgers testing program will be tracked and reviewed by the Rutgers Testing Protocol Action Group to monitor community health.

No.  It is not necessary to notify your Department, School, or others at Rutgers who may not have been exposed.  This creates undue concern on the part of your colleagues and students, many of whom are likely not at risk.  You should notify all those who you live with, as they are likely to be considered close contacts.

If you were tested on campus, Occupational Health or Student Health will contact you to inform you of the test result, and provide guidance on isolation, follow-up, and return to work or class.  They will also determine if there were any close contacts at Rutgers who need to be notified, in accordance with the guidelines for contact tracing from the CDC and NJ DOH.   A Rutgers Contact Tracer will then notify only those close contacts who may have been exposed, and instruct them on testing and quarantine, if necessary.  A Contact Tracer from the local health department where you live, will also be in touch with you to follow up on your household and any community contacts who need to be notified.

If you were tested at an off-campus test site, you should isolate at home or in your dormitory, and not report to work or school.  You should notify your campus Occupational Health or Student Health office, who will then follow the process above to determine if any colleagues or students are at risk.

Rutgers will store the individual data in a secure electronic environment. While individual results will never be reported, aggregate results for all testing done through the Rutgers testing program will be tracked and reviewed by the Rutgers Testing Protocol Action Group to monitor community health. Aggregate test results and total number of tests performed through the Rutgers strategic testing program are shared on the university’s testing program dashboard.

All laboratories conducting testing are required by law to report results to the New Jersey Department of Health. The health care provider ordering the testing may also report positive testing to the local health department. Reporting positive cases to the local health department facilitates the processes for contact tracing—an important aspect of trying to reduce the transmission of disease. If you have tested positive, others you have come into contact with, including individuals in your workplace, may be contacted for contact tracing, but your name will not be released.

If you have tested positive your supervisor will be notified that you are not cleared to return to work to ensure that safety measures are being taken in your workplace. Your close contacts may be asked to quarantine in accordance with health agency guidelines.

Employees who test positive and are unable to work remotely should contact UHR OneSource to determine the appropriate type of leave, if eligible, to be taken.

Employees who are quarantined because of close contact with a positive case, should contact UHR OneSource to determine the appropriate type of leave, if eligible, to be taken.

Testing through the Rutgers testing program is not available to family members. Family members should contact their health care providers so that they can be tested according to current guidelines. Testing can also be obtained at many pharmacies or NJDOH testing sites. Information on NJDOH testing sites can be found at: https://covid19.nj.gov/pages/testing.

If you are experiencing any symptoms, you must remain at home, notify your supervisor, and contact your personal health care provider for testing and treatment.

Asymptomatic individuals who have tested positive as part of the Rutgers testing program will be informed by Occupational Health or Student Health when they may return to work or study.

Asymptomatic individuals who have tested positive from a privately obtained test should obtain a clearance letter from their physician.

Symptomatic individuals should obtain a clearance letter from their physician in order to be cleared to return to work. In the case of physician unavailability or office closures, a signed self-attestation of improvement in symptoms (consistent with CDC guidance on ending isolation after COVID-19 infection), may be made available through UHR OneSource and can suffice as return-to-campus documentation.

Weekly testing is required of non-clinical Rutgers affiliates who have an approved exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Covered Individuals and students working in clinical settings who have an approved exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine mandate, are currently required to test twice a week. Identification information may need to be submitted by the affiliate’s department to TPAG to enable registration for testing.

Individuals who have uploaded their vaccination record(s) to the Rutgers Vaccination Portal (NetID required) are exempt from the weekly testing requirement unless otherwise directed by Occupational Health or Student Health.