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.

Many teens in Miami want to know who has to be told before they get tested. Many parents want to know what they can and cannot see. This page answers both sets of questions using Florida law, the Florida Department of Health and the CDC.

Florida Law and Consent

Can minors get STD testing without parents in Florida?

Yes. Under Fla. Stat. section 384.30, any minor may consent to examination and treatment for sexually transmissible diseases. That means a parent's signature is not required for these services.

Is there a minimum age for consenting to STD testing in Florida?

No. The Florida Legislature's statute sets no minimum age for a minor to consent to examination and treatment for sexually transmissible diseases. The Guttmacher Institute's state summary also lists Florida as allowing minors to consent to STI testing and treatment with no age qualifier.

Does the consent law cover treatment as well as testing?

Yes. Section 384.30 names both examination and treatment. If a clinician prescribes treatment after a visit, a minor can consent to that care too.

Who does this law apply to?

Section 384.30(1) covers the Department of Health, licensed physicians and certain other licensed professionals, and public or private health facilities qualified to provide this care. If a provider is unsure how the law applies, ask the clinic to explain its policy before the visit.

Does the law cover HIV testing for minors?

Section 384.30 refers to sexually transmissible diseases. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County lists HIV testing at its STI clinics, and clinics can explain how consent works for each test. If you are unsure, call the clinic and ask.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Is STD testing confidential for teens?

Florida law says a minor's STD consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and exempt from public records disclosure. Under section 384.30, they may not be disclosed directly or indirectly, such as by billing a parent or guardian. The statute makes an exception for what section 384.29 allows, so ask the clinic how it handles your records.

Can a clinic tell my parents about my visit?

Under section 384.30, a minor's STD care may not be disclosed directly or indirectly, except as provided in section 384.29. A clinic cannot simply call a parent to share your results. If this worries you, you can ask the front desk to explain its privacy practices before you are seen.

What about billing and insurance?

The statute specifically names billing a parent or guardian as a form of disclosure that is not allowed. Insurance paperwork can still be confusing when a teen is on a parent's plan. Ask the clinic how billing works, and ask about free or low-cost options if privacy is the concern.

Does the health department get told about my results?

Possibly. The Florida Department of Health lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV infection as reportable conditions under Rule 64D-3.029, and section 381.0031 requires practitioners, hospitals and labs to report diseases of public health significance. Reporting goes to the health department for public health tracking. It is not a notice to a parent or a school.

Will my school find out?

Nothing in the Florida statute we reviewed says a clinic must notify a school. If you use a school-based service, ask that service how it keeps records. A health department clinic or community health center is a separate option.

Where Teens Can Get Tested in Miami

Where can a teen get tested in Miami?

Several places list STD or HIV testing. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County runs STI clinics at the Health District Center (1350 NW 14th St., Suite 350) and the West Perrine Health Center (18255 Homestead Ave.). Both take appointments at 305-575-3800. Our guide to STD testing in Miami, where to get tested and what it costs lists more options.

Are there free or low-cost choices?

The health department's STI clinic page says, "We offer low or no-cost testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV," and does not publish a fee schedule. Care Resource at 3510 Biscayne Blvd. is listed by the CDC's GetTested service with free HIV and STI tests, and also offers a sliding fee scale. Borinquen Medical Centers at 3601 Federal Hwy is also listed with free HIV and STI tests. Call first to confirm current costs.

Do I need an appointment?

It depends on the clinic. CDC GetTested lists Care Resource, Borinquen Medical Centers and Jessie Trice Community Health System as not requiring an appointment, while the University of Miami Rapid Access Wellness Clinic at 1120 NW 14th St. does require one. The health department's page says to call 305-575-3800 to schedule and does not state a walk-in policy.

When are the health department clinics open?

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

Is there a clinic just for teens or inside schools?

We did not find a published list of teen-only or school-based sexual health clinics in Miami. Ask your school nurse or counselor what is offered, or call the health department's disease control line at 305-470-5660. Pridelines in Miami Beach also lists free, confidential HIV testing and welcomes LGBTQ+ youth and adults.

Can a teen use a free home HIV test?

Care Resource lists a no-cost HIV home test for ages 14 and older who live in Miami-Dade or Broward, are not HIV-positive and have not tested in the last three months. The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County also offers a free home HIV test kit to county residents. Its page does not list an age, so check before ordering.

What to Expect at a Visit

What happens at a teen's STD testing appointment?

A clinician asks about your health and any recent sexual contact, then recommends tests based on that conversation. Tests can involve a urine sample, a swab or a blood draw. You can ask questions at any point.

How soon after sex should someone test?

The CDC explains that each infection has a window period, which is the time after exposure when a test may not yet detect it. The window differs by infection and by test type. A clinician can tell you which tests fit your situation and whether a repeat test makes sense.

What happens if a result comes back positive?

A positive result is information that helps a clinician plan care with you. The CDC says chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV and herpes are not curable, but a clinician can prescribe treatment to manage them.

What about telling a partner?

Partners may need testing or treatment too. Under Fla. Stat. section 384.27, a clinician may provide expedited partner therapy in some cases, such as when a partner is unlikely to seek care in time. Ask your clinician whether it applies and how partner notification works.

Information for Parents

What can parents do to support a teen?

Make it clear that your teen can talk to you without being judged. Share the clinic information on this page and let your teen decide how much to tell you. Knowing that Florida law allows teens to seek this care confidentially often makes it easier for them to go.

How common are STIs in Miami-Dade County?

FLHealthCHARTS, from the Florida Department of Health, reports a 2025 chlamydia rate of 471.5 per 100,000 people in Miami-Dade County, compared with 410.8 statewide. The same source reports a gonorrhea rate of 250.5 per 100,000 in the county, compared with 156.5 statewide. These numbers describe all ages, and they are one reason health departments encourage open conversations about testing.

STD Testing for Teens and Minors in Florida: Consent and Confidentiality