Table of Contents

• Who Can Start PrEP: Eligibility Basics
• Required Lab Tests Before Starting PrEP
  • HIV Testing and the 7-Day Window
  • Kidney Function Assessment
  • Hepatitis B and STI Screening
• Same Day PrEP Start: What to Expect
• PrEP Lab Schedule: Follow-Up Testing Timeline
• Injectable PrEP Requirements and Monitoring
• Insurance, Cost, and Access in Miami-Dade and Broward
• Getting Started: Next Steps
• Frequently Asked Questions

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PrEP Eligibility and Lab Requirements in Miami

Resumen en español: Para empezar PrEP en Miami, necesitas una prueba de VIH negativa dentro de 7 días, análisis de función renal, prueba de hepatitis B y un panel de ITS. Muchas clínicas ofrecen resultados el mismo día y pueden iniciar PrEP inmediatamente después de la prueba negativa. (Source: CDC's recommendations for HIV testing)

Starting PrEP in Miami-Dade and Broward is straightforward once you know what labs are required. This guide breaks down PrEP eligibility and lab requirements in plain terms and shows you where to get started in your neighborhood.

Whether you choose the daily pill or long-acting injection, the same baseline labs apply: a negative HIV test, kidney function screening, hepatitis B status, and an STI panel. Most partner clinics in Downtown Miami (33130), Kendall (33193), North Miami (33161), and Miramar (33029) offer same-day testing and same-day PrEP initiation.

This is health information, not medical advice. Talk with a clinician about whether PrEP is right for you. In a medical emergency, call 911.

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Who Can Start PrEP: Eligibility Basics

You're eligible for PrEP if you're HIV-negative and at ongoing risk of HIV exposure, meaning you have partners whose HIV status you don't know, partners who are HIV-positive but not on treatment, or you share injection equipment. Clinicians simply ask whether HIV exposure is possible in your life.

Quick eligibility checklist:

• HIV-negative status confirmed by test
• Age 18 or older
• No signs of acute HIV infection (fever, rash, sore throat, joint pain within 2-4 weeks of possible exposure)
• Kidney function adequate for the medication
• Willing to take the pill daily or attend injections every 2 months (or every 6 months for the newest option)
• Able to return for follow-up visits and labs

Your sexual history, gender identity, or relationship status don't matter.

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Required Lab Tests Before Starting PrEP

You'll have four main lab categories before your first PrEP prescription. The good news: most partner clinics do all of them in one visit, and you can start PrEP the same day if results are negative.

HIV Testing and the 7-Day Window

The CDC requires a negative HIV test within 7 days before starting PrEP because PrEP prevents infection but doesn't treat it. Starting PrEP with undiagnosed HIV can lead to drug resistance.

Why the 7-day window matters:

• HIV has a window period (time between infection and when tests detect it)
• Most lab tests detect HIV within 18-45 days of exposure
• Starting PrEP during that window without knowing you're infected creates resistance risk

Kidney Function Assessment

PrEP medications work through your kidneys, so clinics test kidney function using creatinine (a waste product your kidneys clear) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

What clinics check:

• Serum creatinine level
• eGFR calculation (usually automatic from creatinine)
• Baseline renal function for future comparison

Hepatitis B and STI Screening

Before starting PrEP, clinics screen for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and STIs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomonas). Hepatitis B requires monitoring because PrEP medications can interact with hepatitis B treatment. Hepatitis C is treatable and not a barrier to starting. STIs are common and treatable; finding them at baseline lets your clinician treat them now and monitor for new infections at follow-up visits.

Lab Test	Why It Matters	Typical Turnaround
Rapid HIV test	Immediate negative result to start same day	Minutes
4th-generation antigen/antibody test	Confirms rapid result, catches early infection	2-5 days
Creatinine and eGFR	Ensures kidneys can handle PrEP	1-2 days
Hepatitis B surface antigen	Determines if hepatitis B treatment needed	1-2 days
Hepatitis C antibody	Screens for hepatitis C	1-2 days
STI panel (chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomonas)	Identifies treatable infections	1-5 days

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Same Day PrEP Start: What to Expect

Many clinics in Miami-Dade and Broward can start you on PrEP the same day you test negative for HIV. Here's what that visit looks like.

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PrEP Lab Schedule: Follow-Up Testing Timeline

Starting PrEP is not a one-time visit. You'll return regularly for labs and check-ins to make sure the medication is working.

For the daily pill:

• Every 3 months: HIV test and STI screening
• Every 6 months: Kidney function and liver function (after first year, some clinics extend to annually)
• Annually: Full physical and repeat baseline labs

For long-acting injections (cabotegravir, every 2 months):

• Every 2 months: Injection visit (brief, no labs required each time)
• Every 6 months: HIV test and STI screening
• Annually: Kidney and liver function, full labs

For the newest long-acting option (lenacapavir, every 6 months after a lead-in):

• Every 6 months: Injection visit
• Every 6 months: HIV test and STI screening
• Annually: Kidney and liver function

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Injectable PrEP Requirements and Monitoring

Injectable PrEP removes the daily pill routine. Two options exist: cabotegravir (every 2 months after starter doses) and lenacapavir (every 6 months after a lead-in).

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Insurance, Cost, and Access in Miami-Dade and Broward

PrEP and all its required labs and visits are covered at no cost with most insurance when billed as preventive care under the Affordable Care Act. If you have insurance, ask your clinician to bill it as preventive.

Cost resources:

• Insurance: covered as preventive with most plans
• Uninsured: check with the clinic about sliding-fee options and assistance programs
• Manufacturer programs: free or low-cost PrEP for those who qualify

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Getting Started: Next Steps

Starting PrEP in Miami is simple once you know what to expect. The first step is finding a clinic near you and booking a visit.

Here's the path forward:

1. Decide on pill or injection. Pills require daily adherence; injections require scheduled visits every 2 or 6 months.

2. Find a clinic in your area. Use the Find a clinic tool at RapidTesting Miami to locate the nearest one to your zip code, or call 855-560-2280.

3. Book an appointment. Most clinics accept walk-ins and same-day appointments.

4. Bring ID and insurance. You don't need a referral.

5. Get your labs and PrEP. On the same day, you'll test negative for HIV, get baseline labs, and walk out with a PrEP prescription (or schedule your first injection).

6. Book your follow-up. Before you leave, schedule your 3-month visit.

Partner clinics serving your area:

• Downtown Miami, Brickell, Overtown (33130, 33131, 33129, 33132, 33136): Elite Wellness Club, rapid HIV, full STD panel, oral and injectable PrEP, primary care. Check the clinic page for hours.

• Allapattah, Little Havana, Wynwood (33142, 33125, 33127, 33147, 33150): MedPlus Medical Center, rapid HIV, full STD panel, wellness visits. Check the clinic page for hours.

• North Miami, North Miami Beach, Biscayne Park (33161, 33162, 33181, 33168): MJD Wellness, rapid HIV, full STD panel, wellness visits. Check the clinic page for hours.

• North Miami, Aventura (33179, 33180, 33162, 33161): Anuvia Medical Center, rapid HIV, full STD panel, PrEP consultation. Check the clinic page for hours.

• Kendall, West Kendall, Tamiami (33193, 33186, 33196, 33184, 33183): Miracles of the Heart, rapid HIV, PrEP, STD testing and treatment. Check the clinic page for hours.

• Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Davie (33029, 33027, 33025, 33023, 33028, 33024): First Class OBGYN, OB/GYN practice prescribing PrEP (daily pill and every-2-month injection), rapid HIV testing, full STD testing, HPV screening, telehealth-first PrEP visit then lab stop. Call 954-507-4494 or check the clinic page.

• Multiple locations across Miami-Dade and Broward: Survivors Pathways, rapid HIV, PrEP, STD testing, supportive services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What labs are required before starting PrEP?

Before starting PrEP, you need an HIV test (rapid or lab-based), kidney function tests (creatinine clearance and eGFR), hepatitis B screening, and a full STI panel including syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomonas. Some clinics also check hepatitis C status. At our partner clinics in Miami-Dade and Broward, these can often be done the same day, with rapid HIV results in minutes.

Can I start PrEP the same day as my testing?

Yes, same day PrEP start is possible at many clinics. You need a negative rapid HIV test result (confirmed by a lab 4th-generation antigen/antibody test when you begin PrEP), baseline kidney function labs, and hepatitis B screening. At our partner clinics, you can often complete testing in the morning and receive your prescription the same day if results are available.

How often do I need PrEP lab tests after I start?

The PrEP lab schedule depends on which medication you choose. For the daily pill, you need an HIV test and STI screening every 3 months. For the long-acting injection (cabotegravir every 2 months or lenacapavir every 6 months), follow-up labs align with your injection schedule. Missing an injection by more than about a month may require restarting, so booking your next visit before you leave the clinic is the best way to stay protected.

What makes someone eligible for PrEP?

You're eligible for PrEP if you're HIV-negative, at least 18 years old, and have a higher chance of HIV exposure through sexual contact or injection drug use. A clinician will assess your risk during a consultation. You do not need to have had a recent STI or specific sexual behavior to qualify, eligibility is based on your individual risk and medical history.

Does insurance cover PrEP and the required labs?

Yes, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), PrEP and its required labs and clinic visits are covered at no cost as preventive care by most insurance plans. Uninsured patients can access free or low-cost testing and PrEP through public health programs, sliding-fee scales, and manufacturer assistance programs. Check with your clinic about what programs they offer.

What are injectable PrEP requirements before I can start?

Injectable PrEP requires the same baseline labs as the daily pill: a negative HIV test within 7 days, kidney function assessment, hepatitis B screening, and STI testing. The two injectable options are cabotegravir (every 2 months after two starter doses one month apart) and lenacapavir (every 6 months after a lead-in dose). You must be able to return for injections on schedule to stay protected.

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Ready to start? Use RapidTesting Miami's Find a clinic tool to locate a partner clinic near your zip code, or call 855-560-2280 to book same-day testing and PrEP initiation. Walk-ins are welcome at all partner locations.