Buzz
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, at-home rapid antigen tests have become an essential tool in helping to prevent the virus from spreading. Just under a year ago, these tests were hard to come by and pricey, but now they are a common item in most households.
Previously, we’ve shared information on how to get these tests for free from the U.S. government, as well as how to store them correctly to avoid compromising their effectiveness. Now, we’re diving into the topic of expiration dates—more specifically, how the expiration dates printed on at-home COVID test boxes may no longer be accurate. Here's what you should know.
When do at-home COVID tests actually expire?
As you might have observed, every FDA-approved at-home COVID test has an expiration date printed on the box (or on a sticker attached to it). The exact placement varies depending on the brand.
Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized 22 rapid antigen COVID-19 tests for home use (the complete list is available on their website, arranged alphabetically). Along with details about the manufacturer, test type, and approved users, the FDA also provides the test's shelf life—which can range from four to 18 months, depending on the test.
How to Verify the Expiration Date on Your At-Home COVID Test
Initially, most expiration dates were based on an expected shelf life of four to six months. However, as these tests have been available longer, ongoing FDA research is showing that many tests remain accurate and effective even after their original expiration dates.
As of now, the FDA has extended the expiration dates for 12 of the 22 approved self-tests. To check the most current expiration dates for your at-home tests, refer to this table on the FDA website. The rightmost column offers details about the test’s shelf life—including whether it has been extended, and by how much.
If your test falls under those with an extended shelf-life, click the link below to find the updated expiration date using your test’s lot number. (Here’s an example of how it looks.)
If the FDA table does not show an extension for your test’s expiration date, continue to use them as instructed.
