• Confidential Testing:     Refers to a test in which you provide your name to the counselor, who is legally required to hold your testing information in strict confidence. Except in narrowly defined circumstances, releasing the information is permitted only with your expressed, written permission to do so. (see NYS Confidentiality Law)
  
  
• Anonymous Testing:    Some sites still offer this option, in which you do not provide your name. Instead a number or fictitious name (protocols vary among clinics) is used to identify your test results. The Anonymous testing option will not suffice if you are having a test conducted for reasons such as travel visas or insurance purposes. Persons who test positive anonymously are almost always required to have a second, confidential test before beginning medical care.
  

Information provided on confidentiality protections applies only within New York State, as of July, 1998.