SHIELD Illinois Testing for Illinois State University
SHIELD testing is done by appointment only. Follow "How to Test" instructions on this page to make an appointment.
Illinois State University has partnered with SHIELD Illinois to provide saliva-based COVID-19 PCR tests for Illinois State University students, faculty and staff and their dependents, ISU retirees, and campus volunteers. The tests are free of charge. Samples are processed at ISU’s SHIELD laboratory, with results typically provided within 24 hours.
Questions and Support
Assistance with each step is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling the SHIELD Illinois patient support line at 217-265-6059.
Support Articles and Links
Testing Locations and Hours
Only individuals being tested should enter a testing center.
Bowling and Billiards Center (BBC) Activity Room
Monday-Wednesday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday: 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday: 5 a.m.-6 p.m.
Please note: Testing for ISU employee dependents, retirees and volunteers is available ONLY at the BBC Activity Room. Dependents must identify themselves. Dependents who are minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Former Fire Station at 604 N. Adelaide St., Normal
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Redbird Room in Redbird Arena
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Watterson Dining Center - Rosa Parks Conference Room
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Before Arriving to Test
Students and employees must bring their Redbird ID card to get tested.
The University uses a COVID-19 PCR test as the primary on-campus asymptomatic testing method. For those experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms or who believe that they were exposed to a person with COVID-19:
- Students should contact Student Health Services at (309) 438-7676 for direction regarding quarantine and/or to schedule an initial screening and make an appointment to be tested.
- Employees should contact their healthcare provider for testing or to make an appointment.
How to Test
- Schedule Your Appointment
- Get Tested
- Receive your Results
For ISU faculty, staff, and students
Log in to the Patient Health Portal
After scheduling your appointment, a single-use QR code for the appointment will be displayed. You will be required to display this code at the testing site. Be sure to take a screenshot, print the page, or log into the portal when arriving at the testing site. The QR code will also be sent by email to your ISU email account.
For dependents of employees, retirees and volunteers
Registration is only offered onsite at the BBC Activity room for a SHIELD COVID-19 test.
Bring an Redbird ID Card and the QR Code to the appointment. Individuals are not able to eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth one hour prior to taking the saliva-based test. This includes the use of tobacco or smokeless tobacco, drinking water, mouth wash, etc. Doing any of these things within 60 minutes of providing a sample could produce an inconclusive result and require the individual to re-test.
During the visit you will provide a saliva sample following the instructions of the testing staff. Watch a video for hints on providing saliva samples.
Test results will be posted in the patient health portal after the lab results are complete within 24 hours of providing the sample. Notifications of the availability of results will be sent to your ISU email account.
Students should contact Student Health Services at (309) 438-7676 and employees should contact their healthcare provider with any questions about your results.
Students: Documentation for Excused Absence
If students need to quarantine or self-isolate, the McLean County Health Department will provide documentation, including a Quarantine/Isolation Letter to students.
- This Quarantine/Isolation Letter should be shared with the Dean of Students Office at Deanofstudents@ilstu.edu in order to have instructors notified of the duration of the excused absence.
- Students are copied on this notification to instructors, which is sent by email.
- Upon release from quarantine/self-isolation, students will receive a Release Letter via email from the McLean County Health Department or in their Student Health Services portal, and should email the letter to the Dean of Students Office. This prompts a return to class notice to instructors.
See the full policy on Excused Student Absences due to Communicable Disease at the University Policy & Procedures website.