This page is general health information, not medical advice. It cannot tell you whether you have an infection. A clinician can, and the testing options on this site are a good place to start.

Testing for sexually transmitted infections is a routine part of prenatal care. It protects the pregnant person and the baby, and most of these infections can be found with simple blood, urine or swab tests. This page answers common questions about STD testing during pregnancy in Florida, with a focus on Miami.

The basics of prenatal STD testing

Why is STD testing part of prenatal care?

Some infections can pass to a baby during pregnancy or birth, and some cause no symptoms the person notices. The CDC STI Treatment Guidelines (2021) recommend screening at the first prenatal visit so any infection can be treated early. Testing is a standard step, not a judgment about anyone.

Which infections does the CDC recommend screening for?

The CDC guidelines call for screening all pregnant people for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B. They also recommend hepatitis C screening during each pregnancy. Chlamydia and gonorrhea screening depends on age and risk, and a clinician can explain which applies to you.

When in pregnancy should testing happen?

The CDC recommends the first round at the initial prenatal visit. Some people are tested again later in pregnancy, depending on risk and local infection rates. Your prenatal clinician decides the timing based on your history.

Is this testing only for people who have had many partners?

No. The CDC recommends syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B screening for pregnant people in general, not only for some groups. Infections can be present without symptoms, so screening is offered to everyone, whatever their gender, orientation or relationship status.

Syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis

What is syphilis in pregnancy?

Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be present for years without obvious signs. During pregnancy it can pass to the baby through the placenta. A blood test can show whether syphilis is likely, and a clinician explains what the results mean.

What is congenital syphilis?

Congenital syphilis is syphilis passed from a pregnant person to the baby. The CDC says it can lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, early infant death and lasting health problems for the child. The CDC also says it is preventable when syphilis is found and treated in time during pregnancy.

How is syphilis treated during pregnancy?

Syphilis is curable. Per the CDC guidelines, the recommended treatment in pregnancy is penicillin, prescribed by a clinician who will choose the plan for each person. Follow-up blood tests are part of care.

How common is congenital syphilis in Florida?

The CDC's 2023 STI Surveillance state tables report 104.7 congenital syphilis cases per 100,000 live births in Florida, or 235 cases, ranking 17th among states. Those are the latest CDC state figures. The page does not break the number down for Miami-Dade County.

How common is syphilis in Miami-Dade County?

FLHealthCHARTS, from the Florida Department of Health, reports 16.8 cases of primary and secondary syphilis per 100,000 people in Miami-Dade County in 2025, which is 472 cases. The statewide rate that year was 12.4 per 100,000. For more local numbers, see what the latest Miami STD data shows.

What Florida requires

Does Florida require STD testing in pregnancy?

Yes. Florida Administrative Code Rule 64D-3.042 says practitioners providing prenatal care must test for chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis at the initial examination and again at 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy. The rule is based on Florida Statute 384.31.

Can a pregnant person say no to the tests?

Yes. Under Florida Statute 384.31 and Rule 64D-3.042, a person may refuse testing by signing a written objection. A clinician can explain what each test looks for so the choice is an informed one.

What happens at delivery?

Rule 64D-3.042 requires testing for hepatitis B surface antigen, HIV and syphilis before discharge for women who arrive at delivery or within 30 days postpartum with no prenatal care, no record of testing, or no record of testing after the 27th week. Anyone with a reactive syphilis test during pregnancy must also be tested as soon as possible at or after delivery. The rule does not require every delivering woman to be tested again.

Are positive results reported to the health department?

Yes. The Florida Department of Health lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis (including syphilis in pregnant women and newborns) and HIV as reportable conditions under Rule 64D-3.029. Practitioners, hospitals and labs report them to the department as required by Florida Statute 381.0031.

Can a teen get tested without a parent's permission?

Under Florida Statute 384.30, any minor may consent to examination and treatment for sexually transmissible diseases, with no minimum age. The statute says a minor's consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and may not be disclosed directly or indirectly, such as by billing a parent or guardian.

Other infections and partners

What about HIV during pregnancy?

HIV is not curable, but it is treatable and manageable. The CDC recommends HIV screening for all pregnant people at the first prenatal visit, so a clinician can discuss care that supports the parent's health and lowers the chance of passing HIV to the baby.

Can chlamydia or gonorrhea affect a pregnancy?

These bacterial infections are curable with treatment from a clinician. The CDC guidelines recommend screening depending on age and risk, and treating them in pregnancy to protect both the parent and the baby. Testing uses a urine sample or a swab.

What if my partner needs to be tested too?

Partners usually need evaluation so an infection is not passed back and forth. Florida Statute 384.27 allows expedited partner therapy in some cases: a clinician may prescribe for a partner when a diagnosis has been made, the patient reports sexual activity with that partner, and the partner is unable or unlikely to get care in time. Your clinician can explain whether it applies.

Can I get tested between prenatal visits if I am worried?

Yes. A clinician can tell you which test fits your situation and when it is most useful, because timing after exposure can affect what a test shows. Do not wait for the next scheduled visit if you have a concern or a new partner.

Where to test in Miami

Where can I get free or low-cost STD testing in Miami?

The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County says it offers low or no-cost testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV at its Health District Center, 1350 NW 14th St., Suite 350, and at West Perrine Health Center, 18255 Homestead Ave. Call 305-575-3800 to schedule. See the local testing list for more options.

What are the Health District Center hours?

The department lists Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closing at noon on the 1st and 3rd Fridays. West Perrine Health Center lists Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., closing at noon on 3rd Fridays. Hours can change, so confirm by phone.

Are there other Miami clinics for testing?

Care Resource at 3510 Biscayne Blvd. (305-576-1234) and Borinquen Medical Centers at 3601 Federal Hwy (305-576-6611) are listed by CDC GetTested as offering STI and HIV testing without an appointment. The University of Miami Rapid Access Wellness Clinic at 1120 NW 14th St. (305-243-2584) lists an appointment as required. Ask each clinic whether it can test during pregnancy, and what coverage or fees apply.

What does testing cost?

The health department's page says low or no-cost testing is offered but does not publish a fee schedule. Care Resource says it uses a sliding fee scale for people who are uninsured or underinsured. For a full picture, read where to get tested in Miami and what it costs.

How can I find more clinics?

The CDC's GetTested locator lists testing sites by ZIP code. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County also lists a disease control line at 305-470-5660 for questions about sexually transmitted infections.

STD Testing During Pregnancy in Florida