Preparing For Your COVID-19 Test

Click the link below to view each step or scroll down to view them all.

  • Step 1 - Select a Testing Location

  • Step 2 - Register for Inspire Testing Lab

  • Step 3 - Arriving to the testing site

  • Step 4 - Wait for results via text/email

Step #1: Select a Testing Location

Appointments are not required. We have 3 locations that are drive-thru testing. All locations are providing PCR tests.

Drive-Thru Locations

      • Santa Cruz County Office of Education Annex parking lot, 399 Encinal St, Santa Cruz CA

      • Cabrillo College in Aptos, Parking Lot K, 6500 Soquel Ave., Aptos, CA

      • PVUSD District Office parking lot, 294 Green Valley Rd., Watsonville CA

      • Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 E Lake Ave, Watsonville, CA 95076

Testing Available in Santa Cruz, Aptos, and Watsonville, Monday-Saturday!

      • Cabrillo College (Park & Walk Up) - Cabrillo, Parking Lot K, Aptos

        • Mon-Fri: 9 am – 5 pm

        • Saturdays: 9 am – 3 pm

      • Santa Cruz County of Education Drive-Thru - 399 Encinal St, Santa Cruz

        • Mon-Fri: 2 pm – 5 pm

        • Closed Saturday

      • Pajaro Valley Unified School District Drive-Thru - 294 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville

        • Mondays & Wednesdays: 1 pm – 5 pm

        • Closed Saturday

      • Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Drive-Thru, 2601 E Lake Ave, Watsonville,

        • Monday-Fri - 10 am to 5 pm

        • Sat - 9 am to 3 pm

Santa Cruz County Office of Education Annex

399 Encinal Street, Santa Cruz

The testing site is at parking lot, entrance is right off of Dubois Street.

Cabrillo College Aptos Campus - Parking lot K

6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos

The testing site is at parking lot K, entrance is right off of Soquel Drive.

Pajaro Valley Unified School District Office

294 Green Valley Road, Watsonville

The testing site is in the back parking lot of the building, near Pacific Coast Charter School entrance.

Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds

2601 East Lake Ave, Watsonville


Step #2: Register for Inspire Testing Lab

You will only need to register once. Each individual wanting to test will need to register.

Students and staff will need to select their school district and school site on the left side of the panel. All parents and families will use the family member registration.

After registering, you will be sent a QR code via email and text message. Please save this QR Code. Every time you would like to test, you will need to show this QR code. Please have it accessible when you arrive at the testing site.

Step #3: Arriving at the Testing Site

All COVID-19 tests are nasal swab PCR tests administered by a trained professional. You can request to self-swab.

All testing locations are drive thru, with the exception of Cabrillo.

Please have your individual QR code from step #2 ready when you arrive. The QR code was emailed and texted to you. You will need this QR code every time you test. You are able to test at any location with the QR code.

Step #4: Wait for Test Results

You will receive an email and text message informing you that your COVID-19 test result is available to view. Test results will be available within usually within 24 hours. Due to an increase in testing, results are coming in 48-96 hours.

Please see our Frequently Asked Questions on the testing process.