California Department of Public Health COVID-19 rapid antigen and PCR testing program

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has partnered with Primary.Health to launch a comprehensive antigen and PCR testing program. This program was established to help ensure the necessary COVID-19 testing is available to all California residents. Through this work, an interested testing site must enroll in the CDPH program, sign an agreement, complete virtual CLIA-waiver certification training, receive free antigen test kits, and complete Primary.Health registration and platform training.

Keeping California schools safe!

8M+

Tests under CDPH

4K+

Testing sites under CDPH

500+

School districts under CDPH

Interested in enrolling?

Key Features

Designed with your needs in mind

Automated reporting

Eliminate paperwork and reduce errors by automating state reporting and participant notifications. We provide digital proof of test result/vaccination.

On-site workflow management

We help you test participants quickly and efficiently to minimize organizational disruptions.

Data analytics & dashboards

Monitor program metrics to identify outbreaks quickly and track cases over time at a district level.

Digital participant/parental consent

Easily capture digital signatures and consent of all participants.

Automated result notifications & communication

Communication via the Primary.Health platform is easy, fast, and able to send automated result notifications to participants.

Fully HIPAA-compliant system

Millions of users have registered. Available in 24+ languages. HIPAA-compliant.

Mobile app

The easiest way to record at-home tests! Download it on the Apple Store or on Google Play. For more information on the app, click here.

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Additional services

Free antigen and PCR kits

CLIA-waiver certificate

Account management

Registration, consent, resulting, and reporting software

Virtual trainings, office hours, and technical support

Access to a call center to support participants

Real-time data and dashboards customized for your organization

Option to distribute over-the-counter tests only. (Test administration training is required.)

The knowledge you are helping to keep your community safe by providing these testing services!

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Eligibility

Who is eligible to enroll in this program?

This program is divided into cohorts by organization type:

Cohort 1

K-12 schools and districts, public, private, charter

Cohort 2

Residential care facilities for the elderly (adult day care centers, retirement homes, skilled nursing, etc.)

Cohort 3

Including, but not limited to community sites, daycare/preschool centers, employers, colleges, faith-based organizations, local health departments, sports clubs, non-profits

Cohort 4

Organizations that have their own CLIA and do not need the CLIA certification from CDPH

This program is divided into cohorts by organization type:

Step 1

Apply for the Rapid Antigen Program here. Expect a response within 5-7 days from CDPH Testing Task Force Team.

Step 2

Sign MOU with CDPH & order test kits.

Step 3

Get access to the Primary.Health platform via the welcome email.

Step 4

Complete required CDPH & Primary.Health software training.

Step 5

Begin testing! Communicate to testing participants & get support from the Primary.Health team at any time.

Testimonials

What they say about us

Public Programs

Parents and students are eager for schools to reopen in San Diego. Primary.Heath's automated technology is giving us the tools we need to register, streamline, and organize testing so that we can get life back to normal for our kids, while ensuring teachers and parents feel healthy and safe.

Donnie Salamanca

Deputy Superintendent

Coronado Unified School District

Public Programs

We began using antigen testing following extended breaks. After winter break, we were able to significantly decrease exposure due to a staggered school day start and antigen testing. This program has kept our school in-person through the Omicron surge and we are very grateful for it.

Tanya Spishak

Director of Communications

Woodland School

Public Programs

It has allowed rapid antigen tests for our students, staff, and students’ household members during a time where no walk-in or rapid antigen testing was available. It has allowed our students to return as early as possible and parents to go back to work earlier.

Elizabeth Semmelmann

District School Nurse

Santa Rita Union School District

Public Programs

We knew right away that a return to school and classroom learning required us to think about the tools and protocols that would keep our students safe. While our students are back to focusing on learning, credit is due to the district’s ongoing commitment to testing and responding proactively to the data with the measures and care our educators and health experts have at their disposal. Testing contributed to where we are today: a reduction of in-school transmission to almost zero.

Don Geddis

Governing Member of the Board of Trustees

Hillsborough City School District

Public Programs

It has helped parents trust that we are paying attention, it has taken the pressure off families to find tests, and it has helped us keep kids at school.

Cory Powers

Grade School Administration Coordinator

San Francisco Waldorf School

Public Programs

We have been able to identify people who are asymptomatic before they enter the site (they almost always develop symptoms by the following day). We have also been able to get people back to work and school earlier by confirming they are no longer positive. Overall, our staff feels much safer and our families have been happy to have the at-home test kits.

Jennifer Logue

Administrator

San Benito County Office of Education

Public Programs

Many of our families have struggled to find at-home antigen tests and rely on our testing to clear students to return after illness or exposure.

Janna Nygren

Operations Manager

Camellia Waldorf School

Click below to apply for the CDPH Antigen Testing Program

School programs

Other organizations

Let's get started!

Reach out today to see how Primary’s platform can help you automate, streamline, and organize your testing and vaccination program.

Schedule a demo

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does onboarding take?

Typical onboarding takes 2-3 weeks; however, much of that time is for administrator training by CDPH.

What does Primary.Health support?

The Primary.Health software platform supports the general testing program. We help you set up accounts, register participants, report results, and other software tasks.

What questions should we direct to CDPH?

CDPH is responsible for final approval of organizations, test kit distribution, and the courier network. CDPH also oversees the PCR lab Color.

What test types does this program cover?

Professional antigen, OTC antigen, and PCR testing. PCR is no longer required to confirm a PCR.

Must my entire staff attend training?

Yes! All staff with access to the Primary.Health platform MUST attend a CDPH hands-on training and complete the quiz. The system is reconciled weekly and administrators who do not meet training requirements will be disabled.

Do I need to import my participant list?

No, this is optional. Most organizations email the registration link to their distribution list and have participants register that way. If you prefer to have your roster imported, submit the Primary.Health Support Request Form and select Data.

Is using Primary.Health required?

Yes! Organizations are required to use Primary.Health to participate in this program. That includes sending the registration link to participants, obtaining consent, and reporting results via the platform. Failure to report may result in disenrollment from the program.

My account says it is "In development." How do I activate it?

You must attest that all test administrators have met the training requirements, including CDPH hands-on training, Primary.Health software training, and confirm that the organization will report all results through Primary.Health.

Helpful Links

Free HIPAA training

Learn the basics of the HIPAA Privacy rule, which outlines who gets to use PHI and how they can use it.

Resources for CA parents

California Schools COVID-19 Resource Guide For Parents

Resources for CA schools

California Schools COVID-19 Resource Guide For Schools, School Administrators & Teachers

Binax card order form

CDPH School Rapid Antigen/PCR Order Form

School Binax lead form

California K-12 School Rapid Testing Program Binax Lead Identification Form

Want to just help share these voluntary reporting tools with your community? You can share the links below so that At Home COVID-19 test results are accurately reflected in all the data.

This helps public health officials make critical decisions.

Not a registered community member?

Record Test Result

Not a registered student or staff?

Record Test Result

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