Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) FAQs

What is a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)?
A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is special permission to use a prohibited substance for medical reasons based on substantial medical documentation.

Do I need a Therapeutic Use Exemption?
Start here. In general a TUE is required for all prohibited substances and methods (see WADA's Prohibited List), however the requirements vary depending on your competition status. For athletes part of the USADA or IF National or International Registered Testing Pool, a TUE is required for all prohibited substances or methods. For recreational or masters level athletes also referred to as 'non-national level athletes,' USADA has special arrangements in place that require a TUE in advance for some medications but not others. For a thorough review of this policy, please see USADA's TUE Policy PDF. If you are competing at an International Event (an event sanctioned by the International Federation of your sport) you must obtain a TUE in advance of using any prohibited substance, regardless of your competition level. Failure to do so may results in an anti-doping rule violation.

Who do I submit my application to?
All US athletes are encouraged to submit their application directly to USADA, even though in some instances the International Federation is the granting body for the TUE. USADA has special arrangements with the International Federations such that we receive all TUE applications. USADA will interact with the National and International Sporting Bodies on behalf of the athlete.

How do I get a Therapeutic Use Exemption?
To obtain a TUE you should visit the How To Apply for a TUE page on the USADA Website. There you will find two documents to download: 1) an application form and 2) medical information required to justify the use of the prohibited substance. Read both documents so that you understand the requirements, and bring them with you to your doctor's appointment. Your doctor should review the medical requirements for the TUE so that he or she can supply all of the relevant information. After completely filling in the application, submit it to USADA by fax, mail, or email according to the instructions on the application form. We will notify you when we receive your application. If you don't hear from us within three days let us know- We may not have received your application.

What can I do to increase my chances of obtaining a Therapeutic Use Exemption?
The most important aspect of a TUE application is the medical file. The Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee will need to review any and all relevant medical details related to the application, including patient history, test results, how the disease/disorder/injury has been managed over time, and any and all attempts to use non-prohibited medications and methods. Read the application form and the medical information requirements closely, and urge your doctor to do the same. The medical file should be as complete as possible.

What role does my doctor play in obtaining a Therapeutic Use Exemption?
Your doctor plays a crucial role in supplying the medical information necessary for the approval of a TUE. The Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee relies on the information supplied by your doctor to determine if your file meets the medical criteria set by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Who has the authority to grant Therapeutic Use Exemptions?
USADA and the International Federations have authority to grant TUEs. The granting body for your TUE will be determined by membership in a testing pool, whether you compete locally, nationally, or internationally, and the prohibited substance being applied for. USADA has mutual recognition agreements with several International Federations. When you submit your application to USADA we will notify you as to who is the granting authority for your TUE. Regardless of the granting authority, all applications from US athletes should be submitted to USADA.

What do you mean by "competition status"?
Competition status refers to whether you compete in local, State, National, or International Events, and whether you are a member of a testing pool (USADA National Testing Pool, or International Federation International Testing Pool). Knowing the competition status is used to determine who the granting authority is for your TUE. USADA grants TUEs to all athletes competing at or below the National Level. For athletes in an ITP, or for athletes competing in International Events, the granting authority is the International Federation. Regardless of the granting authority, all US athletes should submit their TUE application to USADA.

What is a testing pool?
A testing pool is a pool of athletes identified as National or International caliber athletes by USADA or an International Federation. USADA refers to athletes in a testing pool as NTP - National Level athletes. Athletes who are not in a testing pool are generally referred to as 'non-national level' athletes. You will be made aware if you are in a testing pool. Otherwise you are a non-national level athlete.

I don't know if I'm in a testing pool. How do I find out?
Athletes are informed if they are part of a testing pool. USADA and/or the International Federation for your sport will be able to tell you if you belong to a Testing Pool.

What do you mean by a non-national level athlete?
A non-national level athlete is an athlete who does not belong to the USADA national testing pool (NTP). Sometimes this is also referred to as "non-national level" athletes in USADA documentation.
I'm a recreational or masters level athlete, but I like to compete in events and races.

Why was my TUE application returned to me? Does that mean it was denied?
In some instances a TUE application is returned to the athlete without being reviewed by the TUEC. Applications are often returned because they are not complete, or because a TUE is not required. A returned application should not be interpreted as a denial of your TUE. If your application is formally denied by the TUEC you will receive specific notification of this. If your application has been returned to you because it is incomplete, you are encouraged to resubmit it with new information.

I'm a recreational or masters level athlete, but I like to compete in events and races. Do I need a TUE?
Start here. You may need a TUE depending on the level at which you compete. If you compete at events sanctioned by an International Sporting Federation, then you need to obtain TUEs for prohibited substances along the same lines as an athlete in a Testing Pool of the International Federation. If you compete at a National level or below, then the requirements for TUEs vary based upon the medication. To determine if you need a TUE, visit the TUE page on USADA's website, and consult USADA's policy on TUEs PDF. Please note, sometimes "international events" are held in the United States, and not all events occurring in another country are considered "International Events" for the purposes of TUEs.

My TUE was approved by USADA- why do I need to submit another TUE application to my International Federation?
Generally, athletes who compete at the National Level or below need only obtain a TUE from USADA. When such an athlete wishes to compete at an event sanctioned by the International Federation (whether in the US or abroad), a new TUE application may need to be submitted to the International Federation. USADA has mutual recognition agreements in place with many International Federations, and thus some IF's recognize the TUE issued by USADA. However, in order to protect the athlete in the event of testing, it is important to ensure that the International Federation will recognize the TUE that USADA has issued. You should check with your International Federation to determine their TUE requirements, and you should notify USADA immediately if you intend to compete at an International Event. We can help you if a new TUE process needs to be initiated.

Why does it matter so much if I plan to compete at International Events?
Not all International Federations will recognize a TUE issued by USADA for an International Event. For this reason, it is very important that you notify USADA if you intend to compete Internationally. Please note, sometimes "international Events" are held in the United States, and not all events occurring in another country are considered "International Events" for the purposes of TUEs.

I'm not sure if the event I plan on competing in is local, National, or International- how do I find out?
Your National and International Governing Bodies for your sport can help you determine if an event is considered to be National or International Level. Please note, sometimes "international Events" are held in the United States, and not all events occurring in another country are considered "International Events" for the purposes of TUEs.

My doctor prescribed a medication for me for emergency use- what should I do?
If you are prescribed a prohibited substance for an emergency, you should file an emergency TUE. The process is essentially the same- you should download the relevant forms from the TUE page and submit them as a matter of urgency. Make sure to write EMERGENCY TUE at the top of the form so that we know to expedite processing. It is understood that in some instances not all medical information can be obtained quickly. You should make your best effort to submit a medical file that is as complete as possible, and submit the TUE application as soon as practicable.

I’ve had asthma all my life, what asthma medications require a TUE?
You can check the prohibited or not-prohibited status of medication by visiting www.globaldro.com.

My TUE application was denied, but I really need my medication. What are my options?
In the first instance you should contact USADA to determine exactly why the TUE was denied if it is not made clear in the denial letter. Sometimes there may be a critical piece of information that was overlooked or not provided, or new relevant information or test results may be available that would allow the TUE to be approved. You should investigate whether there is scope for resubmission of your application. Failing this, you may appeal the decision to the World Anti-Doping Agency. Information regarding the appeal process is available on the WADA website.