As I write this, I know what I’m about to say isn’t likely to change anything, but I still feel compelled to put it out there.
Talent Testing Services (TTS) has become the gold standard for testing in the adult industry, whether for content creators or mainstream performers. It’s essentially universal—so much so that if you don’t test with TTS (or occasionally Clear), your results often aren’t taken seriously.
This near-monopoly is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it ensures consistency in testing standards; on the other, it limits options, creating significant barriers for those of us outside the industry who still wish to prioritize safety in the hobby.
Awhile back, I had a conversation with a friend about testing for a booking. I vented about how inconvenient it is to access TTS locations, especially in New York, where there are maybe three or four testing sites in the area. My friend, who’s based in Chicago, faces similar issues since TTS locations are equally sparse there. However, he told me about an alternative:
STDCheck, which offers far more accessible testing facilities—at least seven times as many compared to TTS in his area.
When comparing the two services, STDCheck shines in several ways. It has a broader network of locations, allows clients to select specific tests during the booking process, and even provides information on potential symptoms to look out for before or after testing. TTS, on the other hand, remains limited in accessibility and flexibility. However, none of these advantages matter because of TTS’s dominance in the industry and the hobby.
It’s unclear why TTS holds such a strong grip on the industry. It makes sense for talent to rely on it given the history of test result forgery—doctored results, altered dates, or even fabricated reports entirely. Providers, understandably, want assurance that the results are legitimate, and TTS’s reputation offers that. But the spillover into the hobby has created challenges for "civilians" who simply don’t have easy access to TTS testing sites.
For providers—whether PS or EC—TTS or Clear results are often non-negotiable. That’s their right, of course, but it creates roadblocks for those of us who can’t easily get to those facilities. This isn’t TTS’s fault; it’s a response to a broader problem of trust within the community. But it leaves hobbyists with limited options unless more providers begin accepting alternatives like STDCheck.
I know this post probably won’t change much. If a provider requires TTS or Clear, that’s the standard you’ll need to meet. However, I wanted to highlight that alternatives do exist—alternatives that are just as thorough, if not more so, and far more accessible for many of us.
At the very least, I hope this post sparks a conversation about expanding our perspective on testing options. Safety should always come first, but it would be great if the tools for ensuring that safety were more inclusive and accommodating for everyone.
