A shift to a molecular approach to cervical cancer screening is the most likely solution to the goals of improved screening in both the developed and developing world. The impetus for new screening technologies in the developed world is predominately driven by the need to increase positive predictive value and reduce over-management of low-grade and often transient abnormalities (i.e., increase specificity). Rapid tests, where results can be given to a patient within the same visit, are anticipated to have the greatest impact in low resource settings in low and middle income countries (and in disadvantaged sub-populations in high-income countries) where substantial loss to follow up cripples the effectiveness of cervical cancer screening programs. Clinical validation will be required before these tests are implemented in routine screening programs.