The HIV Prevention Program is dedicated to reducing the spread of HIV through early identification, education, and connection to essential health services. The program provides rapid HIV testing and facilitates timely linkage to medical care or pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), aligning with the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: to reduce new infections, improve health outcomes for individuals living with HIV, and address HIV-related health disparities.
Additional prevention services include partner elicitation, linkage and retention in care, re-engagement in treatment, health education and risk reduction counseling, as well as rapid testing for syphilis and hepatitis C. For more information, please contact the HIV Prevention Program at (800) 255-6560.
Rapid HIV Testing and Counseling Services
The HIV Prevention Program offers free and confidential rapid HIV testing and counseling services for individuals 12 years of age and older (parental consent required for those under 12). Services are available on a walk-in basis at various community locations through our Mobile Testing Unit (MTU). Monthly schedules for mobile site are available below.
The rapid HIV test provides results in approximately 20 minutes, and all results are delivered in person. During each visit, clients receive a comprehensive HIV risk assessment and counseling. For individuals who test positive, the program provides partner elicitation services and linkage to care and treatment to ensure timely access to medical support.
No appointment necessary, and all testing sites are open to the public. In addition to testing, the program offers free educational brochures, latex and internal (“female”) condoms, and lubricant, to support prevention efforts.
Self-test HIV kits are also available by mail upon request. Additional details are provided below.
For more information about our rapid HIV testing services, please call (800) 255-6560.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once, and more frequently for individuals at higher risk. CDC guidelines also support routine HIV screening for all adults, adolescents, and pregnant women in healthcare settings.
For clinical services, including STD testing, please contact (800) 722-4777 to schedule an appointment at a County Public Health Center.
Rapid HIV Testing Services
The County HIV Prevention Program offers free, confidential rapid HIV testing through multiple convenient options to help individuals know their status and access care if needed.
Mobile Testing Unit — Walk-In Rapid Testing
Free rapid HIV testing is available on a walk-in basis at two community sites through the Mobile Testing Unit. No appointment is necessary, and results are available within 20 to 40 minutes.
303 E. Mountain View St., Barstow, CA 92311 (in the parking lot) 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
477 Summit Blvd., Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 (in the parking lot) 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Free In-Home HIV Test Kits (By Mail)
San Bernardino County residents can request a free in-home HIV test kit by calling (800) 255-6560 to complete a brief assessment with a test counselor. Kits are discreetly mailed in a small box and include an oral swab, antibody-only rapid test that provides results in about 20 minutes. Program staff can also offer guidance on how to complete the test and provide HIV-related resources.
All requests and test results are confidential.
Order Online: TakeMeHome.org
San Bernardino County residents may also qualify for a free self-test kit through TakeMeHome.org. Eligibility requirements include:
- Being 18 years or older
- Having a San Bernardino County mailing address
- Having never tested for HIV, or not tested in the past 12 months
Kits are shipped in discreet packaging and use an oral swab rapid test.
HIV Testing at County Health Centers
Rapid HIV testing is also available by appointment at the County’s Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). To schedule an appointment, call (800) 722-4777. Please note: A service fee may apply and insurance information will be requested at the time of your visit.
For general questions, test kit requests, or more information about PrEP, HIV treatment, or prevention resources, please contact the HIV Prevention Program at (800) 255-6560. All services are confidential.
Prevention and Linkage to Care
Prevention Education
The County HIV Prevention Program offers comprehensive HIV prevention education services, including:
- Information and resources about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
- Education on HIV transmission and prevention
- Risk reduction counseling
- Treatment adherence support for individuals living with HIV
- Partner elicitation services, assisting individuals in disclosing their HIV status to their partners
- Referrals to additional community resources
For more details on PrEP, click PrEP 101.
Linkage to Care
Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that viral suppression (maintaining an undetectable viral load) prevents the sexual transmission of HIV. The HIV Prevention Program is committed to improving Linkage to Care (LTC) by conducting outreach efforts to retain and re-engage patients in ongoing HIV medical care.
The LTC services are available to HIV-positive individuals receiving care at the Public Health Department’s HIV Specialty Clinics in San Bernardino, Ontario, and Hesperia.
For more information on the importance of staying linked to care, click HIV Treatment.
Additional HIV Prevention Services
- Street-Level Outreach: Targeted outreach is provided for individuals at high risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
- FREE Monthly Educational Workshops: These workshops meet the requirements for court-ordered HIV/AIDS education. Participants will receive a certificate of completion. To register, please call (800) 255-6560.
For an HIV 101 Fact Sheet and additional resources, visit the Reports, Data & Resources page. To speak with a Health Educator about treatment options and further resources, contact us at (800) 255-6560.
NEXT Distro
NEXT Distro is an online and mail-based harm reduction service designed to:
- Reduce opioid overdose deaths
- Prevent the transmission of diseases related to injection drug use
- Improve the quality of life for individuals who use drugs
For more information, visit the NEXT Distro website or contact the HIV Prevention Program for resources.