 
Did you know that there are several over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests that have extended expiration dates?
If you have at-home OTC COVID-19 tests with extended expiration dates, they can be used beyond the expiration date that is printed on the box.
‘Tis the season to check, confirm, and test
Holiday celebrations are fast approaching. With an increase in social gatherings comes the likelihood of an increase in positive COVID-19 cases. Testing helps prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19 This holiday season, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) encourages you to check, confirm, and test:
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Check the FDA’s website: Search the current list of authorized at-home COVID-19 tests that have extended expiration dates.
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Confirm expiration dates: Make sure your at-home tests have not expired. If your at-home tests do not have an extended expiration date and they have expired, do not use them.
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Test for COVID-19: Use an at-home test if you feel sick, have symptoms of COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19 and you do not have symptoms.
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Our website includes a list of authorized, at-home OTC COVID-19 tests that have extended expiration dates, along with images of each test and additional details. You can search the list by test name or manufacturer. To protect public health and support health equity, this list is also available in Spanish.
What does an extended expiration date mean?
The shelf-life is how long the test should work as expected and is measured from the date the test was manufactured. The expiration date is set at the end of the shelf-life and is the date through which the test is expected to perform as accurately as when manufactured.
An extended expiration date means the manufacturer provided data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized.
Learn more
For more information about how the expiration date is determined and why it may be extended, see the At-Home COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). The FAQ is also available in Spanish.
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