Guidance

Minimum standards for private sector providers of COVID-19 testing

Sets out the minimum standards that providers must meet to be listed as a private sector coronavirus (COVID-19) testing provider.

Documents

Details

All coronavirus (COVID-19) testing services must meet certain minimum standards set by the government. Private sector testing providers must also complete a declaration stating that their tests meet these standards.

The government has published guidance on the minimum standards that private providers of COVID-19 testing services must meet when offering:

  • general population testing for people without COVID-19 symptoms (includes PCR and lateral flow tests)

See the relevant attachment above to read the minimum standards that apply.

How to become a private provider

There is separate guidance for prospective providers on how to become a private provider of COVID-19 testing and get added to the GOV.UK list for the testing service you offer.

Finding and choosing a private COVID-19 test provider

The guidance on this page is for private providers of COVID-19 testing. If you’re a member of the public looking for a provider, see the lists of providers and read our guidance on finding and choosing a private COVID-19 test provider.

Published 16 November 2021
Last updated 18 March 2022 + show all updates
  1. Updated to reflect end of international travel testing.

  2. Updated information around self-isolation and contact tracing.

  3. Removed references to day 8. Removed day 2 lateral flow tests and test to release for international travel pages.

  4. Revised further to reflect travel testing changes coming into force from 7 January.

  5. Revised minimum standards for providers on day 2 lateral flow tests for international arrivals, to reflect travel testing changes coming into force from 7 January.

  6. Revised minimum standards for private providers of COVID-19 to reflect travel testing changes coming into force from 30 November.

  7. First published.