Knowing your competitive level in an anti-doping context can be confusing at times. However, it is important to know this information since your responsibilities regarding Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) can be affected. Your competitive level, which is subject to change, may help you determine whether you should file a TUE or a TUE Pre-Check Form. Below you’ll find four things you need to know about competition levels to help you navigate the TUE process.
1. What are the different competition levels of athletes?
International-Level Athlete: Athletes who compete in sport at the international level, as
defined by each International Federation.
National-Level Athlete: Any athlete who:
- Is in the USADA Registered Testing Pool (RTP), Clean Athlete Program (CAP), or Education Pool (EP)
- Has been included in any International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organization’s testing pool within the last 10 years
- Does not otherwise meet criteria to be considered an International-Level athlete
- Is selected or is otherwise on a team representing any country in an International Event in an open/elite (non-age group) category
- Within the last five years prior to committing any anti-doping rule violation:
- Was an International-Level athlete
- Was a National-Level athlete
- Representated any country in an International Event in an open/elite (non-age group) category
Recreational Athlete:
Any athlete subject to the USADA Protocol for Olympic and Paralympic Movement Testing who:
- is not an International-Level athlete or an athlete entered to compete in the open/elite (non-age group) category of an International Event
- is not a National-Level athlete
- and over whom USADA has authority to conduct results management in relation to an adverse analytical finding, an atypical finding, or other potential anti-doping rule violation
2. When does my competitive level change and how do I know it changed?
Your competitive level will change if any of the following situations occur:
- If you have been added to your International Federation’s testing pool or USADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP), Clean Athlete Program (CAP), or Education Pool (EP)
- If you are competing in an International Level event (e.g., World Championships) and you are officially representing any country in an open/elite (non-age group) category
- If you have been automatically selected for either Team USA at an Olympic/Paralympic Trials event or automatically selected for a U.S. National Team (by the NGB) at a team trials or National Championship event
- If you are registered to compete in an event or otherwise meet any requirement that would classify you as an international athlete per the relevant International Federation’s policies
Remember, if you are no longer in a Registered Testing Pool (RTP), the Clean Athlete Program (CAP), or the Education Pool (EP), you may still be considered a National-Level athlete and remain subject to anti-doping rules and requirements (e.g., TUEs) if you decide to compete in sports or events sanctioned by any WADA Code Signatory in the future.
If you are unsure of your level at any time, please contact the USADA TUE Team at TUE@USADA.org or (719) 785-2045.
3. What levels of athletes should file for a TUE or a TUE Pre-Check?
If the recommended medication is prohibited in-competition or at all times, athletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP), Clean Athlete Program (CAP), or Education Pool (EP) should submit a TUE application before taking the medication.
We request that athletes submit a TUE at least 30 days in advance of their planned use of any prohibited medication or method if possible. Please note that USADA approval should never become a barrier in an athlete receiving critical, urgent, or necessary medical care. Medically necessary treatments should not be withheld/delayed in order to obtain a TUE first.
Remember, if you are no longer in a Registered Testing Pool (RTP), the Clean Athlete Program (CAP), or the Education Pool (EP) you are still considered a National-Level athlete and remain subject to anti-doping rules and requirements (e.g., TUEs) if you decide to compete in sports sanctioned by any WADA Code Signatory in the future.
All other athletes, including Recreational and Sport Participant athletes, should submit a TUE Pre-Check Form to USADA to determine if a TUE is required.
4. How do I know if the medication I am taking is permitted?
USADA has created several resources to help athletes determine if substances are prohibited. One of the fastest ways to search the status of a medication and/or ingredient is by using Global Drug Reference Online or Global DRO.com, which provides easily accessible and accurate information on the status of brand-name pharmaceutical products sold in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Some over-the-counter medicinal products are also included in the database.
Global DRO® does not contain information on, or relating to, dietary supplements because they are associated with unreliable manufacturing and evaluation practices. If an athlete can’t find the brand name of their medication on Global DRO, they can also search the active ingredients listed on the medication label, which is often necessary in the case of cold, flu, and other such over-the-counter medications.
More questions?
For questions about specific products, substances, and methods, contact USADA’s Drug Reference Line at DrugReference@USADA.org or call (719) 785-2000, option 2. For questions about competition levels and TUEs, contact the USADA TUE Team at TUE@USADA.org or (719) 785-2045.
*If an International Federation refers or defers a TUE application to USADA for an International Event, the athlete’s status will be determined under the USADA TUE Policy without regard to the International Event.
