In Aug. 1987, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published guidelines on preventing HIV transmission in healthcare settings, on HIV counseling, and on antibody testing. In 1991, more than 2 million serologic tests to detect antibodies for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were performed at publicly funded HIV counseling and testing sites.

The CDC identified the following as major functions of HIV-CTS: a) provide a convenient opportunity for persons to learn their current HIV serostatus; b) allow such persons to receive prevention counseling to help initiate behavior change to avoid infection, or, if already infected, to prevent transmission to others; c) help persons obtain referrals to receive additional prevention, medical-care, and other needed services; d) provide prevention services and referrals for sex and needle-sharing partners of HIV-infected persons .