Last updated: June 02, 2026
Medically reviewed by: NKF Patient Education Team
Learn how to find, compare, and contact kidney transplant centers and prepare for a transplant evaluation.
About finding a transplant center
A kidney transplant center is a hospital that evaluates people for a kidney transplant, places approved people on the transplant waitlist, performs surgery, and provides follow-up care after transplant.
Finding a transplant center is the first step to take if you’re interested in getting a kidney transplant. Your kidney doctor may refer you to a center, or you may contact a center directly to ask how to start the evaluation process.
How it works
Use the SRTR Transplant Center Search Tool
To find and compare transplant centers, use the SRTR Transplant Center Search Tool.
- Select Adult Recipient or Pediatric Recipient
- Choose Kidney as the organ
- Enter your ZIP code or city
Compare waiting times at different centers
There are many factors that can affect how long you’re on the waitlist for a kidney, including but not limited to how long you’ve been on dialysis, where you live, and your blood type. You can also explore the average wait times at certain centers for people like you, using SRTR’s Kidney Transplant Waiting Times Tool.
Why should I compare centers?
Finding and comparing transplant centers can help you make an informed decision, help you prepare for evaluation, and understand your options. It does not mean that you will be listed or receive a kidney sooner.
Some people choose to be evaluated and listed at more than one transplant center to improve their chances of getting a kidney sooner. This is called multi-listing. Each transplant hospital decides whether they will evaluate and approve a person for a transplant. Multi-listing may shorten waiting time for some people, but it’s not always a guarantee.
What should I compare?
When looking at transplant centers, compare more than distance from home. A nearby center may be easiest for appointments and follow-up, but another center may offer services or a shorter wait time, which might be important to you. You should think about:
- Location, travel time, parking, lodging, and whether you can stay nearby after transplant if needed.
- The average wait time for someone like you at that center
- The number of kidney transplants the center does each year
- If a center performs living donor transplants and has a paired donation program for incompatible pairs
Most centers allow people to reach out directly, called a self-referral, while only a few require a referral from a doctor.
Complete the evaluation process
The transplant center will review your medical history and may schedule you to come in for an evaluation to help them decide if a transplant is right for you. If you’re on dialysis or getting evaluated for a transplant, it doesn’t automatically mean you will be added to the waitlist. Once the transplant team makes their decision, they will let you know if you’ve been approved and are actively on the waitlist at their center. If you’ve been evaluated and you’re unsure if you’re approved, you should contact your nurse coordinator.
Additional considerations
Insurance and financial planning
Before scheduling an evaluation, ask whether the center accepts your health insurance and if evaluation, testing, surgery, medicines, travel, lodging or living donor costs may require prior approval. You can ask to speak with a transplant financial coordinator if one is available.
Travel and care partner support
You may need several appointments before being approved for the waitlist and will have frequent follow-up visits after transplant. Most centers will ask you to stay near the hospital for some time after surgery. Your transplant social worker will talk to you about who your care partner will be during and after surgery. You can ask questions about their responsibilities during your evaluation.
Living donor options
If you have someone who might be interested in being your living donor, ask whether the center evaluates living donors, participates in a paired kidney donation program, and provides education and support for donors.
Children and teens
For a child or teen who needs transplant, look for a pediatric kidney transplant program or ask how the center works with pediatric nephrology, schools, families, and transition planning into adult care.
Questions for your transplant team
- Does this center accept my health insurance?
- How long does the evaluation process usually take?
- What is the center’s waiting time for someone like me?
- Does the center support living donor transplants or have paired donation programs?
- If I need to stay nearby for evaluation and surgery, what travel and lodging discounts do you provide?
- How will I know if I am listed as active or inactive?
More resources
SRTR Transplant Center Search Tool: Find and compare transplant programs by organ, adult or pediatric recipient status, and location.
SRTR Kidney Transplant Waiting Times Tool: Explore estimated kidney transplant waiting times by center.
Kidney Transplant: Learn the basics of kidney transplant as a treatment option.
The Kidney Transplant Waitlist: Learn how the kidney transplant waitlist works and what active or inactive status may mean.
Evaluation for Kidney Transplant: Learn what may happen during a kidney transplant evaluation.
Multiple Listing for Kidney Transplant: Learn what it means to be listed at more than one transplant center.
OPTN Patient Resources: Learn more about the U.S. organ transplant system and patient resources.
