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 Dallas wonder whether they can get tested on their own, and many parents wonder what that means for them. This page answers both sets of questions. It covers Texas law, privacy, cost, and where to go in Dallas.

The answers here explain how the system works. A clinician or a test is the only way to learn about an infection.

Consent: Can a Minor Get Tested on Their Own?

Can minors get STD testing without parents in Texas?

Yes. Under Texas Family Code Section 32.003(a)(3), a minor of any age may consent to diagnosis and treatment of a reportable infectious or communicable disease. The statute says parent or guardian consent is not necessary for care under that section.

Is there a minimum age?

The Texas statute sets no minimum age for this kind of consent. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) also says minors may consent to diagnosis and treatment of reportable diseases, including HIV. Individual clinics set their own scheduling and paperwork rules, so it helps to call first.

Does that cover HIV testing too?

Yes. DSHS, in its publication "HIV and Texas Law," states that minors may consent to diagnosis and treatment of reportable diseases, including HIV. Chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis are also on the Texas notifiable conditions list.

Does a teen need a parent's insurance card or permission to be seen?

Permission is not required by the statute. Insurance is a separate question, because using a parent's plan can create paperwork that the policyholder sees. Ask the clinic how billing works before the visit, or ask about free and sliding-scale options.

Can a clinic still ask for a parent to sign something?

Some can. Children's Health says a parent or guardian must give general consent for a minor to be treated in its Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine clinic, while also noting that minors can consent to STD testing and treatment under Texas law. Ask any clinic what it requires when you book.

Confidentiality: Who Can Find Out?

Is STD testing confidential?

Clinics treat health information as private, and a parent's consent is not required for the care. Confidential does not mean no one can ever be told, though. Texas law allows some disclosures, and those are covered in the next answers.

Can a doctor tell a parent about a teen's visit?

Possibly. Texas Family Code Section 32.003(d) says a physician may advise the parent or guardian about the treatment, with or without the minor's consent. The word is "may," so it is permitted but not required. Teens can ask the clinician about their practice before sharing anything.

Can a provider promise a teen that parents will never be told?

No provider should promise that, because the statute leaves the choice to the physician. A fair question to ask at the start is, "If I get tested here, would you contact my parents?" The answer can help a teen decide where to go.

Do test results go to the health department?

Some do. The Texas DSHS notifiable conditions list for 2026 includes chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV, and providers must report them to public health within set timeframes. Reporting is how public health tracks infections in a community. It is separate from telling a family member.

Will a parent see the results online or by mail?

It depends on the clinic's portal, billing and mailing practices, and the clinics' published pages do not spell these out. Ask the front desk how results are delivered and whether a parent's account or insurance statement could show the visit.

Where to Go in Dallas

Where can a teen get free or low-cost STD testing in Dallas?

Options include the Dallas County Health and Human Services Sexual Health Clinic, Prism Health North Texas, Foremost Family Health Centers and Parkland Health. Our guide to STD testing in Dallas and what it costs lists more. The CDC's GetTested locator at gettested.cdc.gov can also help you find a site.

What does the Dallas County Sexual Health Clinic offer?

The county page lists testing for HIV, hepatitis C, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and mpox, and treatment for several of them. It is at 2377 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 100, and the number is (214) 819-1819. Appointments are required, and same-day or next-day appointments are offered. The county page lists no fees, so ask when you call.

What are the clinic's hours?

Dallas County Health and Human Services lists Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The phone line opens at 7:45 a.m. On the second Thursday of each month the clinic closes at 3:30 p.m.

Is there a teen or young adult clinic?

Yes. The Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine Clinic at Children's Health is at 2350 N Stemmons Fwy, Suite F5200, and the number is (214) 456-9099. Its page lists chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, HPV and HIV among conditions treated. Its page does not list a price, so check with the clinic.

Are there clinics that take walk-ins or charge on a sliding scale?

The CDC GetTested listing says AHF Healthcare Center at 7777 Forest Ln, Ste B 122, (972) 383-1060, does not require an appointment and uses a sliding scale. It lists the same for Neighborhood Medical Center at 5917 Belt Line Rd, (972) 726-6464. Prism Health North Texas says it uses sliding fees based on household income and size, and does not deny care based on ability to pay.

Does Resource Center test teens?

Resource Center Health, at 2603 Inwood Rd., lists HIV and STI testing at 214.528.2336. Its page lists confidential rapid HIV and syphilis tests as free, and gonorrhea and chlamydia testing as free with a $40 office visit. Its page does not state an age policy, so ask when you call.

What about school-based clinics?

The health department and clinic pages we reviewed do not list a school-based STD testing program in Dallas. A school nurse or counselor may know of local options. You can also ask Dallas County Health and Human Services.

Testing, Treatment and Staying Safe

Can a teen test at home?

DSHS says its Test for Texas program mails a free at-home kit for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia to anyone in Texas aged 13 or older, with no insurance needed. You can order at testfortexas.org. Together TakeMeHome, a CDC-funded program, mails free HIV self-tests to people 17 and older.

Which tests do the CDC and USPSTF recommend for young people?

The CDC's 2021 STI Treatment Guidelines recommend yearly chlamydia and gonorrhea screening for sexually active women under 25. They also recommend HIV screening at least once for everyone ages 13 to 64. The USPSTF makes similar recommendations, and a clinician can tell any teen which tests fit their situation.

Can infections be treated?

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis and trichomoniasis are curable with treatment from a clinician. HIV and herpes are not curable, but both are treatable and manageable. Only a clinician can prescribe treatment.

What about partners?

The CDC says Texas allows clinicians to provide treatment for the partners of an established patient, a practice called expedited partner therapy. Ask the clinician whether it applies. It does not replace a partner's own visit.

What if a teen is pregnant?

Texas Health and Safety Code Section 81.090 calls for syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B tests at the first prenatal visit. It also calls for syphilis and HIV tests in the third trimester. The woman may object to the HIV tests, but not the syphilis tests.

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