Yes, urgent care does TB testing, and Maxem Health charges $50. The detail that catches people out is that a TB skin test is not one visit. It is two, and they have to be 48 to 72 hours apart.
Why two visits
A small amount of fluid called tuberculin is injected just under the skin on the inside of your forearm. Nothing useful happens immediately. The reaction that indicates exposure develops over the following days, so you must return within 48 to 72 hours for a trained health care worker to look at your arm and measure any reaction.
Miss that window and the test is invalid. Not delayed. Invalid. You start again and pay again.
Planning around the window
This is where deadlines go wrong. If your employer or school needs a documented result by Friday, a Thursday injection cannot produce one.
Work backwards from your deadline:
- Test administered Monday, read Wednesday or Thursday
- Test administered Tuesday, read Thursday or Friday
- Test administered Friday, read Sunday or Monday. Check that your clinic’s weekend hours cover the reading
Maxem Health clinics are open seven days a week including holidays, most Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm, which makes the return visit easier to fit than at clinics that close at weekends. Check your clinic’s hours before you plan.
Who usually needs one
TB testing is commonly required for healthcare workers, school and childcare staff, food service employees, some volunteer roles, students entering certain programmes, and as part of some immigration processes. Employers typically require it as part of onboarding alongside a pre-employment physical.
What the result means
The health care worker measures any raised, firm area at the injection site. Redness alone is not what is measured.
A positive skin test means your immune system has responded to TB proteins. It does not by itself mean you have active tuberculosis disease, and it does not mean you are contagious. It means further evaluation is needed, usually a chest X-ray and clinical assessment, to distinguish latent infection from active disease. Maxem Health has X-ray on site.
A negative result means no reaction developed. Some people need a second test a few weeks later depending on the requirement they are meeting.
What it costs
Maxem Health charges $50 for TB testing, published on the employer services page. Employment-related testing is generally not an insurance or Medicaid benefit. If your employer requires it, ask whether they cover or reimburse the cost.
Before you go
- Bring photo ID and any employer or school paperwork
- Tell the clinic if you have had a positive TB test before, or a BCG vaccination
- Tell them if you have had a live vaccine recently, which can affect timing
- Do not scratch, cover or apply anything to the injection site
- Book the return visit before you leave
Frequently asked questions
How long does a TB test take?
The injection takes a minute. The result requires a second visit 48 to 72 hours later, so plan for at least two days between starting and getting a documented result.
What happens if I miss the 48 to 72 hour window?
The test is invalid and must be repeated from the start. Book the return visit at the time of the injection.
Does a positive TB test mean I have tuberculosis?
No. It means your immune system has responded to TB proteins. Distinguishing latent infection from active disease needs further evaluation, usually including a chest X-ray.
Can I shower with a TB test on my arm?
Yes. Keep the site clean and dry afterwards, and do not scratch it, cover it with a plaster or apply creams, since any of these can affect the reading.
Walk in at a Maxem Health clinic
Maxem Health Urgent Care has 15 clinics across Mississippi, Louisiana and Oregon, open seven days a week including holidays. Most clinics run Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm, though hours vary by location. Walk in for TB testing seven days a week.
Save your spot at your nearest Maxem Health clinic, or find clinic addresses and hours.
This article is general health information, not medical advice. It does not replace an evaluation by a licensed provider. If you are worried about your symptoms, get seen.