You don't need to be having an outbreak to be tested.

The blood tests like the HerpeSelect IgG test from Focus Labs look for the antibodies that your immune system produces in response to a herpes infection. In order for the test to be accurate you should wait 12 to 16 weeks after the possible exposure so that your body will have time to develop the antibodies if there is an infection. An earlier test, if it produces a positive result can be trusted. Some folks test positive within 2 or 3 weeks, but some take longer. Summary: Positive can be trusted at any time and a negative after long enough for antibodies to be produced.

Never ever rely on a visual diagnosis. Studies have shown visual diagnosis to be wrong more than half the time and you cannot get a type from a visual diagnosis. It's worthwhile to know your type so you can evaluate risk to future potential partners.

A culture test done from a swab of a suspected herpes lesion obviously does require an active outbreak to get a sample from. Additionally the time window to get a good sample is fairly narrow so false negative results are fairly common. If you get such a test, try to get to the clinic or doctor as soon as the suspected outbreak is active and be sure to ask for a type-specific culture as a large percentage of genital herpes is type 1 received from oral sex.

Don't wait for test results to get a prescription for antivirals. It is beneficial to start them as soon as possible and if it turns out not to be herpes, they are very safe so it's not a problem. Generic acyclovir is very inexpensive now.

Let me know if I can help further.