Tuberculosis (TB) Skin Test
Related topics: Tuberculosis
A TB skin test (TST) is a common test for latent TB infection. Its important to know your vaccine history prior to booking your TST, your appointment must be at least 4 weeks after a live vaccine.
A TST has two-parts:
- At your first visit, a healthcare provider will inject a small amount of tuberculin just under the skin of your forearm - This is called a TST plant
- 48-72 hours after you’ll go back for a second appointment, and a health care provider will look at your arm and measure any redness/swelling, this is known as a TST read.
A positive TST result means you may have TB bacteria in your body, and additional tests are required to diagnose TB.
If you have a positive TST, a public health nurse will support you with follow up testing and next steps. Please reach out to your local Community Health Centre (listed below) for information.
Access this service
VCH has a centralized referral process for individuals who are contacts to active TB cases. A public health nurse will refer a contact to a service near them. The locations listed below are VCH sites that offer TB skin testing to the general public.
Other locations
- Please visit the Government of Canada website for travel clinics in your area.
- Some family doctors offer TB skin testing at their clinics for a fee.
For people who self-identify as Indigenous
Please note that in BC, people who self-identify as Indigenous are eligible for annual TB screening at no cost regardless of place of residence. This service is available at all public health locations.
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Vancouver
VCH Communicable Disease Control
Unit 800 601 W Broadway
Monday to Friday 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Phone: 604-675-3900- People who self-identify as Indigenous are eligible for annual routine screening at no cost regardless of place of residence.
- Only for contacts of confirmed TB cases.
- General questions on TB recommendations and services.
VCH Travel Clinic/Vaccination Clinic
Lower Level L-5 601 W Broadway Vancouver, B.C.
Monday to Friday 8:30 am-5:00 pm
Phone: 604-736-9244- Available to general public. TB skin tests for a cost of $80 (e.g. school, work, or volunteering purposes)
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Richmond
Richmond Public Health Unit
8100 Granville, Richmond, B.C.
(inside Richmond Place - 8100 Granville Avenue)
Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Phone: 604-233-3126- Publicly funded TB testing for Pre-biological therapy or immunocompromised clients (requires direct referral from physician)
- People who self-identify as Indigenous are eligible for annual routine screening at no cost regardless of place of residence
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North Shore
Central Community Health Centre
132 Esplanade (5th floor), North Vancouver, B.C.
(inside the Central Community Health Centre)
Phone: (604) 983-6700- Publicly funded TB testing for pre-biological therapy or immunocompromised clients (requires direct referral from physician)
- People who self-identify as Indigenous are eligible for annual routine screening at no cost regardless of place of residence
TB skin testing clinics are held Tuesday afternoon with second appointment held on Friday morning.
Phone (604) 983-6700 to book an appointment -
Sea to Sky
Squamish Community Health Centre
1140 Hunter Place, Squamish, B.C.
(inside Squamish Community Health Centre)
Phone: (604) 892-2293- TB skin tests for a cost of $40 (e.g. school, work, or volunteering purposes)
- Publicly funded TB testing for Pre-biological therapy or immunocompromised clients (requires direct referral from physician)
- People who self-identify as Indigenous are eligible for annual routine screening at no cost regardless of place of residence
Appointments are Tuesday afternoon with appointment for read booked two days later (Thursdays)
Book an appointment through the JaneAppWhistler Health Care Centre
4380 Lorimer Road, Whistler, B.C.
(inside Whistler Health Care Centre)
Phone: 604-932-4911- TB skin tests for a cost of $40 (e.g. school, work, or volunteering purposes)
- Publicly funded TB testing for Pre-biological therapy or immunocompromised clients (requires direct referral from physician
- People who self-identify as Indigenous are eligible for annual routine screening at no cost regardless of place of residence
Appointments are Tuesday afternoon with appointment for read booked two days later.
Book an appointment through the JaneAppPemberton Health Centre
1403 Portage Road, Pemberton, B.C.
(inside Pemberton Health Centre)
Phone: (604) 894-6939- TB skin tests for a cost of $40 (e.g. school, work, or volunteering purposes)
- Publicly funded TB testing for Pre-biological therapy or immunocompromised clients (requires direct referral from physician)
- People who self-identify as Indigenous are eligible for annual routine screening at no cost regardless of place of residence
Appointments are Wednesday afternoon with appointment for read booked two days later.
Book an appointment through the JaneApp -
Central Coast (Bella Coola, Bella Bella)
Bella Coola Public Health Unit
1025 Elcho Street, Bella Coola, B.C.
(inside Bella Coola General Hospital)
Phone: 250-799-5722- TB skin tests for a cost of $40 (e.g. school, work, or volunteering purposes)
- Publicly funded TB testing for Pre-biological therapy or immunocompromised clients (requires direct referral from physician)
- People who self-identify as Indigenous are eligible for annual routine screening at no cost regardless of place of residence
Call 250-799-5722 to book an appointment.
Nuxalk Health and Wellness Centre
Learn more about this location
Phone: 250-799-5809- TB skin tests for a cost of $40 (e.g. school, work, or volunteering purposes)
- Publicly funded TB testing for Pre-biological therapy or immunocompromised clients (requires direct referral from physician)
- People who self-identify as Indigenous are eligible for annual routine screening at no cost regardless of place of residence