The short nasal swab test is not necessarily the rapid test. I needed COVID tests for some surgeries. I did 2 at home tests, which as a previous poster mentioned is the short swab no longer than a finger. I also went to 2 local urgent cares on Long Island. One did the short swab, one did the long one. All 4 tests were PCR tests.

I believe the difference between the PCR and the rapid test is not the sample collection method but it is how it is processed. The PCR test they take the sample, multiply the genes to see if any have the virus signature. For the rapid test they don't amplify the sample, they just look at what is there to see if you have any infection currently present.