--- title: Does the sample collected with the Teal Wand expire? description: The sample should be mailed within 24 hours of collection to ensure it reaches the lab in time for processing. --- [Skip to content](https://support.getteal.com/does-the-sample-collected-with-the-teal-wand-expire#main-content) [![Teal-Health-Help CenterLogo\_Primary-RGB](https://support.getteal.com/hubfs/Teal-Health-Help%20CenterLogo_Primary-RGB.svg)](https://support.getteal.com/?hsLang=en) - [Top 6 FAQs](https://support.getteal.com/what-are-the-top-questions-people-have-about-screening-and-mailing-the-sample) - At-Home Screening Show submenu for At-Home Screening - [Teal Wand](https://www.getteal.com/teal-wand) - [Primary HPV Testing](https://www.getteal.com/primary-hpv-test) - [When to Screen](https://www.getteal.com/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines) - [At-home vs In-clinic](https://www.getteal.com/how-self-collect-compares) - [Clinical Trial](https://www.getteal.com/research/u-s-clinical-study-demonstrates-94-of-women-prefer-at-home-cervical-cancer-screening) - About Us Show submenu for About Us - [About Teal Health](https://www.getteal.com/about-us) - [Meet Our Providers](https://www.getteal.com/medical-providers) - [Equal Care](https://www.getteal.com/equal-care-for-all) - [Research](https://www.getteal.com/teal-research) - [News](https://www.getteal.com/news) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Top 6 FAQs](https://support.getteal.com/what-are-the-top-questions-people-have-about-screening-and-mailing-the-sample) - At-Home Screening Show submenu for At-Home Screening - [Teal Wand](https://www.getteal.com/teal-wand) - [Primary HPV Testing](https://www.getteal.com/primary-hpv-test) - [When to Screen](https://www.getteal.com/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines) - [At-home vs In-clinic](https://www.getteal.com/how-self-collect-compares) - [Clinical Trial](https://www.getteal.com/research/u-s-clinical-study-demonstrates-94-of-women-prefer-at-home-cervical-cancer-screening) - About Us Show submenu for About Us - [About Teal Health](https://www.getteal.com/about-us) - [Meet Our Providers](https://www.getteal.com/medical-providers) - [Equal Care](https://www.getteal.com/equal-care-for-all) - [Research](https://www.getteal.com/teal-research) - [News](https://www.getteal.com/news) - [getteal.com](https://www.getteal.com/) [getteal.com](https://www.getteal.com/?hsLang=en) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Teal Health Help Center](https://support.getteal.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Ordering and Shipping](https://support.getteal.com/ordering-and-shipping?hsLang=en) # Does the sample collected with the Teal Wand expire? The stability of your sample while it is on the way to the lab has been tested for a specified period of time, which is why you should **mail your sample via the US Postal Service (USPS) within 24 hours of collecting it.** The lab must receive your sample within a specified timeframe in order to process it. This window of time starts from when you collect your sample and includes all time in the mail before getting to the lab. That is why we recommend you mail your sample within 24 hours, so that even if there are shipping delays, your sample will be able to be processed at the lab. We suggest not screening on days the USPS is closed, such as Sundays and holidays. You can mail your sample in your home mailbox (if it fits), drop it off at the Post Office, or [schedule a USPS pickup. ](https://tools.usps.com/schedule-pickup-steps.htm)You will also find a QR code on the return shipping mailer, which you can scan to schedule a USPS pickup or find the nearest USPS office.   - [General Support](https://support.getteal.com/general-support?hsLang=en) - [Ordering and Shipping](https://support.getteal.com/ordering-and-shipping?hsLang=en) - [Self-Collecting with the Teal Wand](https://support.getteal.com/self-collecting-with-the-teal-wand?hsLang=en) - [Can I Use the Teal Wand If...](https://support.getteal.com/can-i-use-the-teal-wand-if?hsLang=en) - [Screening Results](https://support.getteal.com/screening-results?hsLang=en) - [Cervical Cancer Screening](https://support.getteal.com/cervical-cancer-screening?hsLang=en) - [Top 6 FAQs](https://support.getteal.com/what-are-the-top-questions-people-have-about-screening-and-mailing-the-sample) - At-Home Screening - [Teal Wand](https://www.getteal.com/teal-wand) - [Primary HPV Testing](https://www.getteal.com/primary-hpv-test) - [When to Screen](https://www.getteal.com/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines) - [At-home vs In-clinic](https://www.getteal.com/how-self-collect-compares) - [Clinical Trial](https://www.getteal.com/research/u-s-clinical-study-demonstrates-94-of-women-prefer-at-home-cervical-cancer-screening) - About Us - [About Teal Health](https://www.getteal.com/about-us) - [Meet Our Providers](https://www.getteal.com/medical-providers) - [Equal Care](https://www.getteal.com/equal-care-for-all) - [Research](https://www.getteal.com/teal-research) - [News](https://www.getteal.com/news) [![Teal-Health-Logo\_Reversed-Mint (2)](https://support.getteal.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Teal-Health-Logo_Reversed-Mint%20(2).png?width=150&height=29&name=Teal-Health-Logo_Reversed-Mint%20(2).png "Teal-Health-Logo_Reversed-Mint (2)")](https://www.getteal.com/?hsLang=en) [mailto:help@tealhealth.co](mailto:help@tealhealth.co) © 2025 Teal Health, Inc. 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