A patient seated in the chair before a blood draw
In person

Hepatitis B Immunity (Surface Antibody)

Checks for hepatitis B surface antibodies, from one blood draw.

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  • 2,000+ lab locations. Find one near you
  • Nothing due at the lab. FSA / HSA accepted
  • Ordered by a licensed clinician

At a glance

Collection
Blood draw
A standard blood draw at the lab.
Preparation
None
Nothing to do ahead of time. Water is fine.
Results
2 to 4 days
Typical turnaround after your visit.
Where
2,000+ lab locations
Nationwide, with nothing due at the lab.

About this test

This test checks for antibodies to the hepatitis B surface antigen, which come from vaccination or a past infection. It is a qualitative test: it reports whether antibodies are present, not how much. Some schools and employers require a quantitative result, so check your program’s requirements first.

For adults 18 and older. Test availability varies by lab location.

Who should take this test?

For adults who want to check for hepatitis B antibodies after vaccination or a past infection. If you need this for school or work, check that your program accepts a qualitative result.

Ask about this test

Not sure this is the right test?

AI-generated. For information only, not medical advice. Call 911 for an emergency.

What does this test measure?

Your result shows whether hepatitis B surface antibodies were found, which points to past vaccination or infection. It does not report the antibody level some programs ask for.

Hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs), qualitative
Anti-HBs is the antibody your body makes after hepatitis B vaccination or after recovering from infection. This version reports whether the antibody is present (reactive or nonreactive) rather than how much there is. Some schools and employers require a quantitative result instead.
Why it’s measured: Shows whether hepatitis B antibodies are present, not the amount.

How it works

  1. Step 1

    Order online

    Check out here. A licensed clinician in your state reviews your order and sends it to the lab.

  2. Step 2

    Visit a lab

    Bring a photo ID to any of 2,000+ lab locations. No fasting needed, and nothing is due at the lab.

  3. Step 3

    Get your results

    Results post to your account, usually in 2 to 4 days, each number next to the lab’s reference range.

Find a lab near you

Choose from 2,000+ lab locations nationwide. Your order works at any of them.

What your results tell you

The result is reported as reactive (antibodies found) or nonreactive (none found). This qualitative test does not give an antibody level.

  • Your number next to the lab’s reference range
  • Explained in plain language
  • A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test.
  • A lab report you can download and share

A nonreactive result is worth discussing with a healthcare provider, who can advise on vaccination and whether a quantitative test is needed.

Which hepatitis B test?

Similar names, different questions. Each marker tells a provider something else.

Surface antibody

Antibodies to the virus’s surface protein.

Looks for
Antibodies to the surface antigen (anti-HBs)
A positive relates to
Immunity from vaccination or past infection
Vaccination
Can come from vaccination

Clinical-grade testing, from the comfort of home.

From the lab to your report, every step of our process meets the gold standard in medical testing.

  • CLIA-certified labs

    Every lab we partner with is certified under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments, meeting both state and federal standards with regular independent inspections.

  • We protect your health data

    We protect your health data with encryption and do not sell it. Some results must be reported to public health authorities by law. See our Privacy Notice.

  • Rigorous quality assurance

    All partner labs run regular internal quality checks, participate in proficiency testing, and comply with federal and state lab regulations.

  • Clinician-reviewed reports

    Results are reviewed by an independent, licensed clinician.

Questions

Common questions.

Anything else, our care team answers by phone, text, or email.

It depends on the program. This is a qualitative test, so it reports whether surface antibodies are present without a level. The lab notes that a quantitative test is needed to document immune status at the threshold used in CDC guidance, and some schools and employers require that number.

Check your program’s requirements before choosing this test.

A reactive result means antibodies to the hepatitis B surface antigen were found. The lab says this points to a prior response to the vaccine or to the virus itself. This test does not tell which one, and it does not report a level. A healthcare provider can help you read it with other results if needed.

A nonreactive result means surface antibodies were not found at the lab’s cutoff. It does not tell you why. A healthcare provider can explain what it means for you, advise on vaccination, and say whether a quantitative test or another hepatitis B test would help.

The names are close, but they answer different questions. Surface antibody is made by your immune system after vaccination or a past infection. Surface antigen is a protein from the virus itself, checked for a current infection. If you are unsure which one you need, a healthcare provider can help you choose.

Lab tests are informational and don’t diagnose conditions on their own. Available to adults 18 and older; test availability varies by lab location. A licensed clinician reviews your order and, if appropriate, orders the test. All testing is performed at CLIA-certified laboratories. Not for emergencies: if you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911.