This is true. COVID-19 tests remain effective and accurate for longer than initially expected, so expiration dates for many brands have been extended by the FDA. Visit the FDA’s website for updated expiration dates. You will need your test kit to look up the brand, lot number, and original expiration date to see if it has an updated expiration date.

An extended expiration date means that the test manufacturer has provided data to the FDA showing that these tests are accurate for longer than was known at the time the test was initially approved.

The tests with extended expiration dates are still accurate to the same extent other COVID-19 tests are. Users should be sure to closely follow all instructions provided with the kit.

Like any COVID-19 take-home test, a positive result is highly accurate and indicates a COVID-19 infection, but one negative test result is not enough to rule out an infection. If you have a negative test result, the FDA recommends repeating the test at least 48 hours after the first test.

If you have a known COVID-19 exposure and a negative result on the second antigen test, it is recommended to test again another 48 hours after the second test for a total of three tests. Or consider receiving a molecular-based (sometimes called PCR or laboratory test), which is better able to detect a COVID-19 infection.

To check if a test has an extended expiration date, visit this FDA website. Some tests now have extended dates of six months to over one year past the original expiration date. 

It is unclear if there will be more extended expiration dates on COVID-19 tests, but from what we know COVID-19 tests should not be used if they are past their expiration date and there has been no expiration date extension. The parts in these tests may start to break down and could lead to inaccurate results.