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For information about COVID-19 policies and restrictions on campus, please visit the UCLA COVID-19 resources website.

UCLA Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center

UCLA Interactive Map of Vending Machine Locations

Vending Machine & Collection Bin Locations

  • Pauley Pavilion NW Area
  • Ackerman Union SW Entrance
  • Haines Hall West Entrance
  • La Kretz Hall SE Area
  • Neuroscience Research West Entrance

Kit Distribution Center & Collection Bin Locations

  • Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center Entrance
  • Bradley Hall
  • Rieber Hall - Front Desk
  • DeNeve Hall - Front Desk
  • Wilshire Center

Self-Testing for COVID-19

Self-Testing Using New Vending Machines on Campus

Any student, staff, faculty or approved non-affiliates with an active BruinCard can receive up to two self-test kits each week using the vending machines available on campus. BruinCards automatically receive a weekly credit to be used to purchase COVID-19 tests from these dedicated machines. Credits will not be valid at any other vending machines or for any other use. 

Indoor/ Outdoor Locations

Please note: While the majority of the COVID self-test vending machine locations are available 24/7 in outdoor areas, the Murphy Hall and CHS Courtyard machines are located indoors and only accessible during business hours. Please plan accordingly.

Important Items to Remember

  • Self-test vending machines accept only BruinCard.

  • Free testing is available only for faculty, staff, students, and approved non-affiliates at this time.

  • A smart device (phone, iPad) with the ability to receive SMS text messages is required to use the self-test vending option.

  • Important Note: We ask that you please step away from the vending machines to complete your COVID self test in a remote area to employ proper social distancing. You can return your completed sample to any collection bin on campus, so consider grabbing your test and returning it later in the day. This will help manage crowd control near the vending machine locations.

  • Vending machines for COVID self-testing are NOT intended for individuals who are symptomatic.

If you are symptomatic:

Any staff member experiencing COVID symptoms should contact the COVID Call Center before arriving to campus to initiate any COVID testing. Students can log into the Patient Portal to request a COVID test.

For Assistance or Questions

Those with questions are encouraged to send an email to exposuremanagementteam@ashe.ucla.edu.

Self-Test Process and What to Expect

  • Once a test sample has been completed, it may be deposited in any of the marked collection bins, which are located adjacent to the vending machines.

  • Test samples should be deposited within one hour of taking the test in order to maintain proper temperature.

  • Individuals depositing test samples before 11 a.m. can expect results within 24-36 hours, while those depositing samples after 11 a.m. can expect results within 48 hours.

  • Any samples submitted 7 days or more after the test kit has been registered will be canceled by the laboratory.

Additional Processing Time

Please be aware that a small percentage of samples may require re-testing during processing, resulting in a delay of (1) additional business day before results are returned. Participants can be assured we continue to work with our lab partners to deliver test results as quickly as possible to our Bruin community.

Important Note(s) on Specimen Dropoff

  • Specimens dropped off after 11am may not get collected and processed until the next business day.
  • Samples dropped off on Friday after 11am may not be resulted until Monday evening. 
     

Testing for Travel Clearance

The no-cost testing paid for by UCLA was not implemented to provide documentation for domestic/international travel. If you need a COVID test to certify for travel, we recommend finding a community lab that will complete testing within the timeframe needed, and provide a certificate for travel.

If you need a test urgently or for travel by a specific date, we recommend scheduling an additional, backup test -- as sometimes tests come back inconclusive.

Vending Machine Tutorial

How to Swipe your BruinCard

Two photos of how to use vending machines tutorial: Self test vending machines accept only BruinCard and Swipe BruinCare with magnetic strip facing digital screen

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Step-by-Step Vending Instructions

  • Self-test vending machines accept only BruinCard. To ensure your BruinCard is active, visit the BruinCard office or log into your account online.
  • Swipe your BruinCard with the magnetic stripe facing inward, toward the digital screen.
  • After swiping successfully, the screen will display: $1.00 credit. Select a letter/number combination to vend your test kit (Example: B6).
  • Take your test kit and clear the vending machine area to ensure other individuals are able to use the machine while you are completing your test kit.
  • Read and follow the instructions provided in your kit and make sure you register your test kit using the QR code provided.
  • Once completed, drop your test kit into the collection bin near the vending machine.

Having Issues?

Having issues with a certain vending machine? See the interactive map above for other machine locations, visit a distribution center, or the in-person testing center located at 300 Bradley Hall.

Having issues with your BruinCard? Contact the BruinCard office directly.

Have a question for the Exposure Management Team? Contact them directly via email.

In-Person Testing Available at 300 Bradley Hall

  • Health Center icon 300 Bradley Hall

    * 300 Bradley Hall is the final remaining in-person testing location on campus.
    * The hours for this location are 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday each week.
    * Please contact the Exposure Management Team for questions regarding COVID-19 testing at exposuremanagementteam@ashe.ucla.edu.

How to Self Test Using a Saliva-Based Test

Steps 1-5: Preparing for your sample

Read all printed instructions included in your COVID test kit thoroughly and completely before proceeding. 

Steps 1-5 of a Saliva-Based Test for COVID-19

Steps 6-10: Collecting and returning your sample

Steps 6-10 of a Saliva-Based Test for COVID-19

STEP 10 - Return your sample to a designated collection bin

Collection bins are located near every vending machine. See the interactive map above for more information.