There are many options for HIV testing. Whichever option you choose, you have the choice of Confidential Testing or Anonymous testing.

Confidential vs. Anonymous -   What’s the difference? 

A confidential test means your information and results are protected by law from unauthorized disclosure. This would be a test that you have at your health care provider’s office.  Your name is attached to the test, and there is a medical record that records your test result.  As with any other medical record the information is carefully protected. 

An anonymous test means just that.  You do not have to give your name and your test results are connected to you by a unique identifier code.  


HIV is a reportable illness.  Health care providers are required by law to report all positive HIV test results to the Vermont Department of Health by name.  A confidential test would be reported by name. Positive anonymous test results cannot be reported.  The health department strictly protects the information and uses it only for health planning purposes.  

Talk to your health care provider about which test is right for you. 

• You can go to your health care provider and request an HIV test. He/she will order a confidential blood test. It can be billed to your health insurance just like any other laboratory test.
• Under the anonymous test system simple oral tests are done by trained counselors at many different sites. (No blood draw – no needles!) There are 2 types of oral HIV tests:
• Oraquick (Rapid Test) is a screening test for HIV which takes about 20 minutes. It can tell you if you are negative or if you need more testing for HIV.
• Orasure (Traditional Test) is an oral swab that confirms an HIV diagnosis. Results take about 2 weeks but no further testing is needed.
• Some pharmacies sell home HIV testing kits which could be another option for testing.

No matter which test you have, trained counselors can help you understand your test results and decide on next steps. Here is a link to help you find a test site near you.