BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test use was examined in US men aged > or = 40 years to clarify the relationship with age and race. METHODS: The National Health Interview Survey (2000) collected information about PSA test use in a representative sample of the US population. This study examined whether men reported having had three or more PSA tests within the past five years by age and race subgroups. RESULTS: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test use rates were lowest in men aged 40-49 and highest in men aged 65-79. Receipt of three or more PSA tests within the past five years varied by age and race. Use was higher for African-American men, compared with White men aged 40-49; similar for African-American and White men aged 50-64; higher for White than African-American men aged 65-79; and similar for African-American and White men aged > or = 80. CONCLUSION: The PSA test use patterns showed variation by age and race subgroups, and these patterns are better understood when examining both variables at the same time.