New Expiration Dates for Many Brands of At Home COVID-19 Tests

Computer generated image of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) virus.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended the shelf-life of 14 brands of COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits, including iHealth, BinaxNow and Flowflex. The FDA has posted the expiration dates for all brands of tests on its website, where users can search by specific brand names and lot numbers. 

"Don’t throw away a test kit prematurely, go to the FDA’s website to see if that expiration date has been extended into 2023,” said Dr. Raynard Washington, Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) director. “If the date has been extended, the test is safe to use. If it’s not, dispose and order new tests. Being able to test, is an important part of keeping our community as safe as possible.”  

The FDA authorizes at-home rapid tests for 4 to 6 months at first and then extends the expiration dates after studies show that the tests still give accurate results when used after the initial expiration dates. Some tests are now authorized for use up to 21 months after production.  

Testing for COVID-19 helps you “Know Before You Go” back to school or visit family and friends: 

  • If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, take precautions by following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s exposure recommendations. 
  • If you have symptoms, take a COVID-19 test at home or get tested at a provider and follow the CDC’s isolation recommendations. 
  • If you feel ill and are at high risk of hospitalization, visit the federal Test to Treat locator to find locations that offer testing, diagnosis, and treatment in one place. 

For the best protection from COVID-19, stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccinations. Get vaccinated at the two MCPH locations (Southeast Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, and Northwest Health Department, 2845 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte) or at a local provider, pharmacy, or community clinic. 

For more information about the County's COVID-19 indicators, vaccines, testing, treatment, and resources, visit  covid-19.mecknc.gov.