Varicella (Chickenpox) Titer Cost Comparison (2026)
The varicella titer test measures IgG antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), confirming immunity to chickenpox. It is required by nearly every nursing, medical, and allied health program in the United States before clinical rotations. Fewer online portals offer standalone varicella titers compared to Hep B or MMR, so understanding the available options is particularly useful. Prices here are verified from each provider's public website as of June 2026. LabReqs (via SchoolTiters.com) currently offers the lowest price in this comparison at $46.99.
Key takeaways
- LabReqs has the lowest listed price at $46.99.
- Jason Health lists $58 — the $18 fee is already included in that price.
- Accesa Labs charges $59.
- Fewer providers offer a standalone varicella titer than Hep B or MMR — confirm availability before purchasing.
- The varicella IgG test has a known limitation: it may not reliably detect vaccine-induced immunity.
Our recommendation
- At standard prices, LabReqs ($46.99) is the lowest listed price for a standalone varicella titer and the most widely available option for this test.
- The student discount (code SCHOOL2026) lowers the price further, and LabReqs is the only listed service that accepts orders for patients under 18.
- If you also need Hep B and MMR, LabReqs' $136 immunity panel is almost always cheaper than ordering three individual tests elsewhere.
Why: LabReqs $46.99 standard vs. Jason Health $58 all-in and Accesa $59. Student discount code SCHOOL2026 reduces LabReqs further — now an even wider margin vs. competitors.
What the varicella titer measures
A varicella titer is a blood test that measures IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) — the virus that causes chickenpox. Results are typically reported as an index value. Most laboratories use a threshold of index ≥ 1.10 as positive (immune), though the exact threshold varies by laboratory and kit.
| Index value | Result | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| ≤ 0.90 | Negative | No VZV IgG antibody detected — not immune |
| 0.91 – 1.09 | Equivocal | Borderline — generally treated as non-immune; revaccination recommended |
| ≥ 1.10 | Positive | VZV IgG antibody detected — immune |
Healthcare workers are required to document varicella immunity because chickenpox (and its reactivation as shingles) can be spread to immunocompromised patients who cannot receive live vaccines. For a full explanation of the test and results, see the Titer Testing Guide.
Price comparison table
All prices are from each provider's public website as of May 2026, sorted cheapest-first. The varicella IgG titer is an equivalent test across all portals.
| Provider | Listed price | Fees note | Est. total | Lab network | What's included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LabReqs Lowest price | $46.99 | None stated | ~$47 | LabCorp and other national networks | Quantitative measurement of Varicella-Zoster Virus (chickenpox) antibodies |
| Jason Health | $58.00 | $18 lab order fee included in listed price | ~$58 | Quest Diagnostics | Measures immunity to chickenpox (varicella) via VZV IgG antibody |
| Accesa Labs | $59.00 | None stated | ~$59 | Quest and LabCorp | IgG blood test checking for immunity to the varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox) |
| Walk-In Lab | $155.00 (panel) | None stated | ~$155 | LabCorp and Quest | Varicella included as part of Immunity Blood Test Panel (Hep B + MMR + Varicella). Standalone varicella price not listed separately. |
Prices gathered from each provider's public website, June 2026; confirm current totals before ordering.
Note on Walk-In Lab: Walk-In Lab does not appear to offer a standalone varicella titer — the $155 price is for the full immunity panel including Hep B, MMR, and Varicella. If you need all three titers, the panel may be good value; if you only need varicella, LabReqs ($46.99) or Jason Health ($58) are the more practical options.
Note on HealthLabs and DirectLabs: No standalone varicella titer was found in the available data for HealthLabs or DirectLabs at the time of this comparison.
Known limitation of the varicella titer
Commercial varicella IgG ELISA tests are reliable for detecting immunity from wild-type infection (actually having had chickenpox). However, these tests are not sensitive enough to reliably detect seroconversion after vaccination alone. The CDC notes that routine post-vaccination serologic testing is not recommended because of this limitation.
In practical terms: a person who received two doses of varicella vaccine as a child may test negative or equivocal on the titer — not because they are unprotected, but because the test is not sensitive enough to detect vaccine-induced antibodies at the level produced. The CDC's guidance for this situation is that documentation of a 2-dose varicella vaccine series supersedes a negative serology result and is considered sufficient proof of immunity.
If your nursing program or employer requires a titer and you receive a negative result despite documented vaccination, discuss this with your school health office — they may accept the vaccine documentation in lieu of the titer result.
Understanding the varicella titer and its price
The varicella IgG test measures antibodies to the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results are reported as an index value; most laboratories use index ≥ 1.10 as the threshold for a positive (immune) result, though the exact cutoff varies by lab and kit. A reactive result generally indicates immunity; an equivocal result is typically treated as non-immune. For detailed result interpretation guidance, see the Titer Testing Guide.
This test is commonly billed under CPT code 86787 (Varicella-Zoster virus antibody); billing codes may vary by laboratory and insurer.
Prices differ across portals mainly because fewer portals offer a standalone varicella test (creating less competition), plus the same lab-order fee dynamics as other titers: Jason Health's $18 fee is already in its $58 listed price, while other portals have no stated additional fee. Both Quest and LabCorp process this test, and methodology is equivalent across networks.
Related comparisons
- compare the MMR titer cost
- compare the Hepatitis B titer cost
- compare the Immunity Panel cost (Hep B + MMR + Varicella)
- Cheapest titer tests online (2026 roundup)
- How to get titers for nursing school
- Titers for immigration and USCIS (Form I-693)
Frequently asked questions
Which provider is cheapest for a varicella titer?
LabReqs is the lowest listed price at $46.99. Jason Health is second at $58 all-in (the $18 fee is included). Accesa Labs charges $59. Walk-In Lab does not appear to offer a standalone varicella titer at the time this comparison was compiled.
What if my varicella titer comes back negative?
If you have no documented vaccination history, a non-immune result means you should receive a 2-dose Varivax series (4–8 weeks apart) and re-test 6–8 weeks after the second dose. If you already have documented 2-dose vaccine records, a negative titer may not require revaccination — per CDC guidance, the documented 2-dose series supersedes the negative serology. Check with your school or employer before deciding to revaccinate.
Is the varicella titer the same thing as a chickenpox test?
Yes. Varicella is the medical name for chickenpox. The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the pathogen that causes both chickenpox (primary infection) and shingles (reactivation later in life). The titer measures IgG antibodies to VZV to determine whether you are immune.
Which lab is cheapest for a varicella titer?
LabReqs (via SchoolTiters.com) is the lowest listed price at $46.99 with no stated additional fees. Jason Health is second at $58 all-in (the $18 fee is included). Accesa Labs charges $59. Fewer portals offer a standalone varicella titer than MMR or Hep B — confirm availability before ordering.
Is a varicella titer cheaper than getting vaccinated?
A two-dose Varivax series typically costs $80–$200 out of pocket. At $46.99, the titer is significantly cheaper than re-starting the vaccine series. However, if you have documented 2-dose varicella vaccination records, your school may accept those in lieu of a titer result — per CDC guidance, a documented 2-dose series supersedes a negative serology.
Does insurance cover a varicella titer test?
Coverage varies by plan. The varicella IgG test is commonly billed under CPT code 86787; some occupational and student health plans cover it. Check with your insurer. All portals in this comparison offer direct-to-consumer ordering without a physician's order for when insurance is not available.
How long do varicella titer results take?
Most portals deliver results within 1–3 business days after the blood draw at a Quest or LabCorp patient service center. Allow an extra day for specimen transport and lab processing.
Sources
- CDC — Laboratory Testing for Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) — https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/php/laboratories/index.html
- CDC — Vaccination Technical Instructions for Civil Surgeons (Form I-693) — https://www.cdc.gov/immigrant-refugee-health/hcp/civil-surgeons/vaccination.html
- Immunization Action Coalition — Ask the Experts: MMR — https://www.immunize.org/ask-experts/topic/mmr/
- Provider pricing sourced from each provider's public website, May 2026.