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STD Testing in Penelope, TX: Free, Same-Day & Confidential

Gonorrhea in Hill County is reported about 59% lower than the US average. Whether you're testing before starting a new relationship or as part of ongoing care in Penelope, Texas, weigh that your choice of local clinics or private labs affects how you'll pay.

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  • Clinics, labs & at-home kits compared
  • Free & low-cost options included
  • Backed by CDC, CMS & Census data
  • Editorially reviewed

Available testing centers

STD testing near Penelope, TX

5 testing options are listed for Penelope, TX. The nearest, Waco Family Medicine - Hillsboro, is about 14.6 miles away. Compare community and public clinics, private labs, and at-home kits below.

How to read these listings

Listings tagged Community health center are federally funded health centers and rural clinics that treat everyone regardless of insurance or ability to pay: required to bill on a sliding fee scale and provide confidential care, and in many states minors may consent to their own STI testing. A Title X tag flags centers funded for confidential family-planning services; confirm current participation when you call.

Source: CMS FQHC & Rural Health Clinic enrollment files (data.cms.gov), refreshed quarterly. Title X status reflects the latest OPA grantee list.

Community health center 14.6 miles

Waco Family Medicine - Hillsboro

Where these reviews come from

Review sources

  • Google165
  • EasySTD5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 from 170 reviews

Waco Family Medicine - Hillsboro serves anyone in Hillsboro navigating care without insurance, between providers, or paying out of pocket. Federal qualification backs its sliding-scale fees, making syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia screening genuinely affordable regardless of income. No appointment needed to get started.

Sliding-scale
Address
1323 East Franklin St Suite 105, Hillsboro, TX 76645
Website
Premium Partner

Clinical Pathology Labs

Results in 1–2 days
No ratings yet
Address
601 W. State Highway 6, Waco, TX 76710 28.5 miles away
Opening hours
  • Monday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Rapid HIV
  • Conventional HIV
See tests & prices

Today's offer: $10 off any test panel, applied automatically at checkout.

Premium Partner

Labcorp

Results in 1–2 days
No ratings yet
Address
6901 Medical Parkway, Woodway, TX 76712 28.7 miles away
Opening hours
  • Monday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Rapid HIV
  • Conventional HIV
See tests & prices

Today's offer: $10 off any test panel, applied automatically at checkout.

Premium Partner

Clinical Pathology Labs

Results in 1–2 days
Where these reviews come from

Review sources

  • Google14
  • EasySTD1
Rated 4.4 out of 5 from 15 reviews
Address
301 Hospital Drive, Corsicana, TX 75110 29.5 miles away
Opening hours
  • Monday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Tuesday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Wednesday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
  • Friday 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Rapid HIV
  • Conventional HIV
See tests & prices

Today's offer: $10 off any test panel, applied automatically at checkout.

Premium Partner

Quest Diagnostics

Results in 1–2 days
Where these reviews come from

Review sources

  • Google15
  • EasySTD2
Rated 4.3 out of 5 from 17 reviews
Address
2410 Wycon Drive, Waco, TX 76712 29.5 miles away
Opening hours
  • Monday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes
  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Rapid HIV
  • Conventional HIV
See tests & prices

Today's offer: $10 off any test panel, applied automatically at checkout.

Free tool · not a clinic

When can I test? Exposure-window calculator

Testing too soon can miss an infection. Enter the date of possible exposure to see the earliest a test can reliably detect each STI.

Detection windows for every STI
Infection Earliest reliable test Conclusive after
Chlamydia 7 days after exposure 14 days after exposure
Gonorrhea 7 days after exposure 14 days after exposure
Trichomoniasis 7 days after exposure 28 days after exposure
HIV (NAT / RNA) 10 days after exposure 33 days after exposure
HIV (4th-gen Ag/Ab) 18 days after exposure 45 days after exposure
HIV (antibody) 21 days after exposure 84 days after exposure
Syphilis 21 days after exposure 42 days after exposure
Hepatitis B 21 days after exposure 42 days after exposure
Hepatitis C 56 days after exposure 77 days after exposure
Herpes (HSV) 28 days after exposure 112 days after exposure

Guidance only, confirm timing with a clinician. A negative result before the conclusive date may need a repeat test.

Find your match in 10 seconds

What matters most to you?

What will it cost? Estimate your STD test

Typical out-of-pocket ranges by option, actual cost depends on which tests you need.

  • Public / community clinic

    Free HIV testing is common

    $0–$25

  • Private lab (self-pay)

    Never billed to insurance

    $24–$200

  • At-home kit

    Mailed to your door, private

    From $49

  • Doctor / urgent care

    Often $0 preventive with insurance

    $0–$50 copay

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Rate what mattered to you, no account needed. Reviews are moderated before publishing.

Privacy & discretion
Wait time
Staff & comfort
Value for cost

Every other option

More ways to get tested in Penelope, TX

Beyond the dedicated testing centers above: at-home kits by mail, hospital labs certified for STI testing, local clinicians who can order a panel during a regular visit, pharmacies for self-test kits and prescriptions, and online PrEP & treatment.

Test from home

At-home STD testing in Penelope, TX

The nearest testing center is about 15 miles away; if you'd rather skip the trip, an at-home kit ships to Penelope, you collect the sample privately, and mail it back to a CLIA-certified lab. Results come online in days, with a clinician available if anything is positive. Same labs as a clinic, no waiting room, and you can read how accurate at-home STD tests are before you order.

Want a free option first? The CDC-supported TakeMeHome (opens in a new tab) program mails free at-home HIV self-test kits, and, in many areas, free STI kits, to your door, with no insurance or payment needed. The paid kits below add broader panels and faster turnaround.

Every kit uses CLIA-certified labs. At-home testing is for screening; a reactive result should be confirmed and treated by a clinician. Prices and panels shown are illustrative and change often, confirm current details on the provider's site.

Also in the area

Other CLIA-certified labs near Penelope, TX

Beyond the public testing sites above, these federally certified (CLIA) labs serve Hill County, each lab's town is shown on its card below. Many test through a doctor's order or by appointment rather than walk-in, so call ahead to confirm STD/STI testing and availability before visiting.

  • Hill Regional Hospital

    101 Circle Drive # 400, Hillsboro, TX 76645

    CMS-certified lab Accredited · Joint Commission

    • Full STD panel
    Call Directions

  • Hill Regional Hospital

    101 Circle Drive, Hillsboro, TX 76645

    CMS-certified lab Accredited · Joint Commission

    • Full STD panel
    Call Directions

Source: CMS CLIA registry (Provider of Services), Q1 2026. Federal public records: active CLIA-certified laboratories near Penelope. A CLIA certificate records only that a laboratory is federally certified — it does not confirm the site performs STD testing, nor its hours, price or access. Inclusion is not an endorsement; always call to verify.

Local clinicians

Clinicians near Penelope, TX who may help arrange STD testing

Beyond dedicated clinics, 252 primary-care, OB-GYN, infectious-disease and other clinicians have a CMS practice record within 30 miles of Penelope. They may be able to evaluate symptoms or order a confidential STD panel during a regular visit, and 59 offer telehealth.

  • George Smith, DO

    Family medicine · 500 Meadow Drive, West

    Call Directions

  • Jonathan Seale, MD

    Family medicine · 101 Circle Drive, Hillsboro

    Call Directions

  • Ebony Raymond, DO Telehealth

    Internal medicine · 112 South Covington Street, Hillsboro

    Directions

  • Mark Dickie, MD Telehealth

    Family medicine · 782 Dry Creek Road, Waco

    Call Directions

  • Joy Burrell, MD

    Family medicine · 556 North Loop, Bellmead

    Call Directions

  • Reagan Tipton, MD

    Family medicine · 851 North Loop, Waco

    Call Directions

These are registry-listed clinicians, not dedicated STD-testing clinics. CMS records do not independently verify current licensure, testing services, availability, price, or new-patient status. Confirm each detail before booking. Source: CMS Doctors & Clinicians.

Nearby pharmacies

Pharmacies near Penelope, TX

No pharmacy near Penelope, TX publishes an STD-related service or holds a current CLIA testing certificate, so these are simply the closest. Contact a location directly to confirm counter hours, services, prices, and availability before visiting.

  • GT Vaughans Pharmacy

    7.8 mi
    Rx pickupCondoms / EC
    Directions

  • West Old Corner Drug

    10 mi
    Rx pickupCondoms / EC
    Directions

  • Generation RX

    10 mi
    Rx pickupCondoms / EC
    Directions
  • Walmart Pharmacy 14 mi
    Rx pickupAt-home STI kitsHPV & Hep B vaccinesCondoms / EC
    Directions

  • American Star Pharmacy

    15 mi
    Rx pickupCondoms / EC
    Directions

  • Waco Family Medicine - Pharmacy

    15 mi
    Rx pickupCondoms / EC
    Directions

Showing the 6 closest pharmacies to Penelope, TX.

Directory records identify nearby pharmacies. Service, stock, price, and hours information is shown only when supported by current location-specific evidence.

Prevention & treatment

PrEP, prevention & online treatment

Testing is one step. For residents of Penelope, telehealth covers the rest: HIV-prevention medication (PrEP) and DoxyPEP to lower future risk, and discreet online treatment if a result comes back positive. All prescribed by licensed U.S. clinicians.

Pricing varies by insurance and changes often, confirm on the provider's site. These services are not a substitute for emergency care.

STD stats & rates

STDs & HIV in Hill County: the local picture

How reported STI rates in Hill County, the county that includes Penelope, compare with Texas and U.S. averages, based on the most recent 2023 surveillance data. An estimated ~17% of residents are aged 15–34 (ACS), the age group with the highest reported chlamydia and gonorrhea rates nationally.

#135 of 254 Texas counties for chlamydia, a higher rate than 47% of the state

Reported STD rates per 100,000, Hill County vs Texas vs U.S.

Hill County Texas U.S. ▲▼ = Hill County vs the state average
Infection Hill County Texas United States
Chlamydia
286.1 109 cases ▼ 42%
491.9 492.2
Gonorrhea
73.5 28 cases ▼ 58%
176.4 179.5
Syphilis (P&S)
18.4 7 cases ▲ 23%
15 15.8
Syphilis (early)
2.6 1 cases ▼ 90%
26.4 16
Syphilis (late/unknown)
18.4 7 cases ▼ 58%
44.3 29.5

Rates per 100,000 population, 2023. Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county, state & U.S., all-ages basis). Population figures: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. These figures are the latest available surveillance estimates. Bars are scaled to the highest rate shown.

Reading these numbers: reported case rates only count infections that were actually tested for and diagnosed, so they track local screening effort as much as true spread: a higher rate can reflect more testing, a lower one less. Either way, most STIs cause no symptoms, so treat the figures above as context rather than a verdict, and test on the CDC's schedule regardless of how your area looks.

Reported STD rates in Hill County over time (per 100,000)

Chlamydia ▲ 41% vs 2022
Chlamydia Gonorrhea Syphilis (P&S)
0 150 300 2020202120222023

Between 2020 and 2023 in Hill County, chlamydia has fallen from 295.5 to 286.1 per 100,000 (3%), gonorrhea has fallen from 117.1 to 73.5 per 100,000 (37%), and P&S syphilis has risen from 5.6 to 18.4 per 100,000 (229%).

The 2020 dip reflects reduced pandemic-era screening, not lower transmission. Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county, state & U.S., all-ages basis).

Community health context

What shapes testing access in and around Penelope, TX

Adults uninsured
18.6%
No routine checkup
24.1%
Binge drinking
15.2%
Frequent mental distress
18.2%
Depression
23.7%
Below poverty line
4.8%
Primary-care ratio
4,052 : 1
Hill County
  • Primary-care shortage score 16 / 26
  • Medically Underserved Area · IMU 57
  • Social Vulnerability Index · 86th percentile nationally

Sources: CDC PLACES (ZIP), County Health Rankings, CDC/ATSDR SVI, HRSA HPSA, HRSA MUA/P, Neighborhood Atlas ADI. Lower insurance coverage, fewer routine checkups, and a thin primary-care ratio all raise the value of low-cost public clinics and at-home testing in Hill County.

Local HIV snapshot

HIV in Hill County (2023)

People living with HIV
147 / 100k
PrEP users / 100k
56

Hill County HIV care continuum (2023)

Among Hill County residents living with HIV, 75% are in care · 65.9% are virally suppressed. Early, routine testing is what moves these numbers: it is the entry point to PrEP, treatment, and viral suppression.

Sources: AIDSVu (Emory/Gilead) · CDC AHEAD · CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county care continuum). The CDC recommends everyone aged 13–64 test for HIV at least once: every lab and clinic listed above offers HIV testing, and free rapid HIV testing is available at a local health department.

Pregnant or planning to be?

Congenital syphilis is the fastest-rising STI: what to test, and when

Congenital syphilis, passed from parent to baby in pregnancy, is the fastest-rising STI in the country. U.S. cases climbed from 2,163 in 2020 to 3,882 in 2023. It is almost entirely preventable: the CDC recommends a syphilis test at the first prenatal visit, and every clinic and lab listed for Hill County tests for syphilis.

Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus, 2023 (county-level congenital syphilis is not published).

Reviewed & Fact-Checked · Updated

Reviewed by EasySTD Editorial Team (opens in a new tab)

Compiled and checked by EasySTD's editorial team against CDC and public-health sources. This is educational information, not a substitute for advice from a licensed clinician. Our editorial guidelines → (opens in a new tab)

17 Sources

Local resources & officials

Data & references

Local context

About Penelope, TX

Folks in Penelope often find themselves at the Town of Penelope or nearby landmarks on weekends or while running errands, and those moments can spark a quiet question about health. Especially for the young adults who make up a meaningful part of the community. STI testing isn't something most people plan ahead for, but knowing where to turn matters when the thought does arrive. The clinics and testing sites available in and around Penelope listed on this page offer confidential screening without fanfare; what happens in those visits stays there. The German heritage woven through Hill County's history speaks to how long families have rooted themselves here, and that sense of place can make privacy feel like something worth protecting carefully.

Testing facilities understand that straightforwardness: you walk in, get what you need, and move forward without explanation owed to anyone else. Results are yours alone to decide what to do with. For young adults navigating early careers, relationships, or simply the uncertainty that comes with that stage of life, routine screening is a practical step, not a crisis measure. The testing options available to Penelope residents are designed to fit into ordinary life, without drama or delay.

Getting there

How residents reach STD testing in Penelope, TX

Walkability 6 / 20 · Below average

At 6/20 on the EPA walkability index, day-to-day errands in Penelope generally mean driving: plan on a car or rideshare to reach a clinic, and check each listing's hours and phone before you go.

Source: EPA National Walkability Index 2021.

Map of 5 STD & STI testing locations in Penelope, Texas, EasySTD

ZIP 76676 snapshot

Residents
353
Median age
35.8
Median income
$75,500

ZIP-level Census figures for the wider 76676 area around Penelope: a single ZIP can span several communities, so they describe the area, not Penelope alone.

Penelope sits in Hill County, ZIP 76676. Local context that shapes where residents test:

Local landmarks

  • Town of Penelope
  • Birome
  • German Settlers in Hill County

Reference

STD testing in Penelope, TX: screening, costs & privacy

Everything to know before you test in Hill County: the CDC's screening guidelines, each infection's detection window, per-test reference prices, and your privacy rights under Texas law. If you have symptoms right now, our confidential symptom checker maps them to the tests worth considering.

Who should test, and when

CDC screening schedule + each infection's detection window

Who should get tested, and how often

Based on current CDC screening recommendations.

GroupTestsHow often
Everyone aged 13–64 HIV At least once
Sexually active women under 25 Chlamydia, gonorrhea Every year
Women 25+ with new or multiple partners Chlamydia, gonorrhea Every year
Pregnant people HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B & C, chlamydia Early in pregnancy
Gay & bisexual men (MSM) Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV Every 3–6 months
Anyone who shares injection equipment HIV, hepatitis B & C At least yearly
All adults at least once Hepatitis C At least once

When to test: STD detection windows

Testing too early can return a false negative, confirm timing with a Penelope-area provider.

InfectionEarliest reliable testSample
Chlamydia 1–2 weeks Urine or swab
Gonorrhea 1–2 weeks Urine or swab
Trichomoniasis 1–4 weeks Urine or swab
HIV (NAT / RNA) 10–33 days Blood
HIV (4th-gen Ag/Ab) 18–45 days Blood
HIV (antibody) 3–12 weeks Blood / oral
Syphilis 3–6 weeks Blood
Hepatitis B 3–6 weeks Blood
Hepatitis C 8–11 weeks Blood
Herpes (HSV) 4–16 weeks (antibody); swab a sore Blood / swab
Browse all STD & STI guides

What each STD test costs

Medicare reference prices per lab test, a benchmark before you pay out of pocket

These are the federal Medicare reference prices for processing each lab test. Public clinics and the community health centers serving Penelope often test free or on a sliding scale; private labs and at-home kits bundle several tests into one fee. Use this as a per-test benchmark before you pay out of pocket, or see the full guide to STD test costs for insurance, free, and at-home options.

TestReference priceCPT / HCPCS
Chlamydia (NAAT) $47.80 87491
Gonorrhea (NAAT) $47.80 87591
Trichomoniasis (NAAT) $47.76 87661
HIV-1/2 antigen/antibody $26.87 87389
HIV-1/2 antibody $22.44 86703
Syphilis (RPR/VDRL) $5.61 86592
Syphilis (treponemal antibody) $17.49 86780
Herpes (HSV NAAT) $47.76 87529
Hepatitis B surface antigen $15.33 87340
Hepatitis C antibody $29.16 86803

Source: Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, CMS, 2025 rates (data.cms.gov). Reference rate for the lab assay only: a clinic visit, sample collection, or a bundled multi-test panel may cost more. Medicaid and most insurers cover STD screening at no out-of-pocket cost.

Confidentiality & consent in Texas

Minor consent and partner treatment (EPT) under state law, plus how to test privately

Two things that actually depend on Texas law: who can consent, and whether partners can be treated without their own visit. Everything else about testing privately is the same nationwide (see below).

Can a minor consent on their own?

In Texas, a minor of any age can consent to confidential STI testing and treatment on their own, no parental permission is required.

Can my partner be treated too? (EPT)

Texas permits Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT): if you test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, your provider can give you medication (or a prescription) to pass to your partner, no separate exam or appointment needed for them.

Keeping a test private works the same in every state. Whether an STD test shows on insurance (the EOB), how to test anonymously, and self-pay options that leave no insurance trail don’t change by location.

Learn more about confidential STD testing in Texas

Source: Guttmacher Institute, Minors' Access to STI Services; CDC, Legal Status of Expedited Partner Therapy. General information, not legal advice.

Good to Know

STD testing FAQs for Penelope, TX

Answers to the questions people ask most before getting tested.

Can I get same-day or walk-in testing near Penelope, TX?

Some clinics and labs take walk-ins for same-day testing; call ahead to confirm hours.

Does insurance cover STD testing near Penelope, TX?

Most plans cover STD screening; a clinic or lab can bill insurance, or you can pay a flat self-pay price.

Can I get tested in Penelope, TX without insurance?

Yes, community and public clinics test the uninsured, with sliding-scale fees.

Which tests are offered near Penelope, TX?

Local options test for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Rapid HIV, a full panel covers the common ones.

How common is chlamydia in Hill County?

About 286 cases per 100,000 residents (2023), below the Texas average.

Can someone under 18 get tested in Texas without a parent?

In Texas, people under 18 can consent to confidential STD testing and treatment on their own.

Can I test at home near Penelope, TX?

Yes, at-home kits ship to 76676; you collect a sample, mail it back, and get results in about 2–5 days.

Is my health information protected when I test?

Medical records are protected under federal HIPAA law, ask the clinic how it handles your information.

What does a positive STD result mean?

It means an infection was found; a provider confirms it and starts treatment, most STIs are curable or manageable.

Should I test again after being treated?

A retest around 3 months after treatment is recommended for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Have a different question? Browse the full STD & STI FAQ library, every question we answer, in one place.