Urgent Care Centers in Chattanooga

June 15, 2026

Urgent care centers occupy the space between a primary care office and a hospital emergency room. They treat non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries on a walk-in basis, typically with extended evening and weekend hours, which makes them a practical option when a doctor’s office is closed but the problem does not rise to the level of an emergency. In Chattanooga, a city of roughly 186,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau) anchoring southeast Tennessee along the Georgia line, urgent care centers cluster along busy corridors such as Gunbarrel Road near Hamilton Place and extend into the city’s North Shore and surrounding communities.

Most urgent care centers are staffed by physicians (M.D. or D.O.) working with nurse practitioners and physician assistants. In Tennessee, physicians are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners or the Board of Osteopathic Examination, both under the Tennessee Department of Health, and patients can verify a provider’s license through the department’s online verification system. In Chattanooga, some centers are affiliated with hospital systems such as Erlanger Health System or CHI Memorial, while others operate as national franchises like AFC (American Family Care) or as part of regional groups such as Urgent Team. A center’s affiliation can shape how records are shared and where patients are referred for additional care.

A typical visit covers colds, flu, sore throats, ear and sinus infections, urinary tract infections, minor cuts and burns, sprains and strains, and minor fractures. Many Chattanooga centers also offer on-site X-ray, rapid and send-out laboratory testing, COVID-19 and flu testing, vaccinations, and physical exams for school, sports, and employment. Occupational health services, including DOT physicals, drug and alcohol screening, respirator clearances, and workers’ compensation injury care, are widely available. Online check-in tools let patients reserve a place in line before arriving, though walk-ins remain welcome at most locations, and several centers treat children as well as adults.

An urgent care center is not a substitute for emergency care. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, or any other true emergency, patients should call 911 or go directly to a hospital emergency room. Tennessee’s consumer protection framework, administered by the Division of Consumer Affairs under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104), accepts complaints about deceptive business practices, and questions about a provider’s licensing can be directed to the Tennessee Department of Health. The information below is general and educational, not medical advice; patients should consult a qualified provider about their individual circumstances.

Top Urgent Care Centers Providers in Chattanooga

1. AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga

Address: 1521 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 103, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: (423) 531-0911
Website: https://www.afcurgentcare.com/chattanooga-tn/
Services: illness care (cold, flu, cough, sore throat, bronchitis, sinus infection, allergies, UTI, STD/STI testing); injury care (sprains, strains, cuts, burns); testing (rapid COVID-19, flu, strep, mono, on-site and send-out labs); physicals (school, sports, immigration, DOT, pre-employment); X-rays; travel medicine; pediatric urgent care (ages 6 months and up); occupational health (workers’ compensation, drug and alcohol testing, employee services)
Description: AFC Urgent Care Chattanooga is a walk-in clinic on Gunbarrel Road near Hamilton Place, open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with no appointment needed. The center treats common illnesses and minor injuries and provides rapid testing for COVID-19, flu, strep, and mono along with on-site and send-out lab services and X-ray imaging. It offers a range of physicals from school and sports to immigration and DOT, travel medicine, and pediatric urgent care for patients six months and older, plus an occupational health program covering workers’ compensation, drug and alcohol testing, and employee services. The clinic is part of American Family Care, a national franchise network, and patients can pre-register online before their visit.

2. Erlanger Express Care – East Brainerd

Address: 1635 Gunbarrel Road, Suite 110, Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: (423) 541-5102
Website: https://erlangerexpresscare.com/locations/east-brainerd/
Services: illness care (cold, flu, cough, sore throat, ear infections, respiratory and sinus infections, headaches); injury care (minor lacerations, back pain); lab testing and X-ray; women’s health services; seasonal allergy relief; UTI treatment; STD screening; drug screening (including DOT federal screens); flu shots; occupational health; sports and physical exams; respirator medical clearances; pulmonary function tests; TB testing
Description: Erlanger Express Care – East Brainerd is a walk-in clinic on Gunbarrel Road next to Erlanger East Hospital, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with online check-in available. The center treats common illnesses and minor injuries and provides lab testing and X-ray imaging, along with women’s health services, seasonal allergy relief, UTI treatment, and STD screening. Its occupational health offerings are extensive, including drug screening with DOT federal screens, sports and physical exams, respirator medical clearances, pulmonary function tests, and TB testing. The center is part of Erlanger Health System and is one of five Express Care locations across the region, with online check-in handled through ClockwiseMD.

3. Physicians Care – NorthShore

Address: 419 North Market Street, Suite 100, Chattanooga, TN 37405
Phone: (423) 414-3012
Website: https://www.urgentteam.com/locations/physicians-care-northshore-chattanooga-tn/
Services: urgent care (sports injuries, sore throats, stitches), school, sports, and camp physicals, occupational health, primary and family care, wellness care, on-site prescriptions
Description: Physicians Care – NorthShore is a walk-in clinic on North Market Street in Chattanooga’s North Shore area, open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with walk-ins accepted. The center treats minor injuries and common illnesses, places stitches for minor lacerations, and provides school, sports, and camp physicals, occupational health services, primary and family care, and wellness care, along with on-site prescription fulfillment. It is part of the Urgent Team family of centers, which operates locations across Tennessee and neighboring states. Patients can reserve a place in line using the Hold My Spot scheduling tool, and telemedicine visits are available; the center accepts most insurance plans, including TRICARE, VA, Medicare, and Medicaid, with a self-pay program for uninsured patients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urgent Care Centers in Chattanooga

Q: What is the difference between an urgent care center and an emergency room in Chattanooga?

An urgent care center treats non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, such as infections, minor fractures, sprains, and flu, usually on a walk-in basis with extended hours. An emergency room is equipped for serious or life-threatening conditions. For chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, severe bleeding, or another true emergency, call 911 or go directly to a hospital emergency room rather than an urgent care center.

Q: Do I need an appointment to visit an urgent care center in Chattanooga?

Most Chattanooga urgent care centers welcome walk-in patients with no appointment required. Many also offer online check-in that lets you reserve a place in line before you arrive, which can shorten your wait. Hours vary by location and system, so confirming a center’s hours before visiting is a good practice.

Q: How can I verify that a Chattanooga urgent care provider is licensed?

Physicians in Tennessee are licensed by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners or the Board of Osteopathic Examination, both part of the Tennessee Department of Health. The department maintains an online license-verification system where consumers can check a provider’s license status. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants are licensed through their respective boards under the same department.

Q: Are Chattanooga urgent care centers affiliated with hospital systems?

Some are and some are not. Several Chattanooga centers are affiliated with hospital systems such as Erlanger Health System or CHI Memorial, which can affect how medical records are shared and where patients are referred for follow-up. Others operate as national franchises such as AFC or as part of regional groups such as Urgent Team. A center’s affiliation is generally listed on its website.

Q: What services do urgent care centers in Chattanooga commonly provide?

Common services include treatment for colds, flu, infections, and minor injuries, on-site X-ray and laboratory testing, COVID-19 and flu testing, vaccinations, and physicals for school, sports, and employment. Many centers also offer occupational health services such as DOT physicals, drug and alcohol screening, respirator clearances, and workers’ compensation injury care. The specific menu varies by location.

Q: How do I file a complaint about an urgent care center in Chattanooga?

Complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Concerns about a provider’s clinical licensing or professional conduct can be directed to the Tennessee Department of Health, which oversees the medical and osteopathic boards. Keeping copies of bills, records, and any correspondence strengthens a complaint.