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Are you competing in an event for the first time where there may be USADA drug testing? Do you have basic questions about the drug testing process and don’t know where to start?
This section answers some of the most commonly asked questions for athletes new to drug testing.
Athlete Tools
Don’t miss essential tools that help you compete clean and protect your legacy.
USADA provides a variety of resources for athletes and their support team to ensure a level playing field and compliance with global anti-doping rules.
Check Medication
Use Global DRO to check the prohibited status of over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Report Doping
Contact USADA’s Play Clean Tip Center by text, email, phone, or mail to report doping or other anti-doping rule violations in sport.
Therapeutic Use Exemptions
Determine if a medical exemption, or TUE, is needed for the use of a prohibited substance or method.
SAMPLE COLLECTION
Learn more about the blood and urine collection processes, from athlete notification to the shipment of a sample.
WHEREABOUTS
Discover how USADA tests athletes without any advance notice through our Whereabouts testing pools.
DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
Explore the issues associated with dietary supplement products and learn how to reduce the risk.
Nutrition
Learn how a food-first approach to fueling is optimal for athletes of all levels.
Results Management
Understand the results management process and what happens after an athlete provides a sample.
Retirement Responsibilities
Check out athletes’ responsibilities to USADA and their International Federation when retiring from sport.
The Clean Sport Handbook
Who is this for?
Athletes and Support Personnel
What’s inside?
USADA’s Clean Sport Handbook is designed to provide athletes and athlete support personnel with a summary of the information needed to successfully participate in the anti-doping program governing their sport. Access to accurate information ensures that athletes and support persons are not only fully prepared for training and competition, but also for the important role they play in the broader global anti-doping movement.
Athlete's Advantage
Anti-doping starts with prevention, meaning that education on how to compete clean and with integrity should be provided at all levels of competition. USADA works diligently to maintain a comprehensive and continuous education program that serves athletes from the youth to elite levels.
Annually, around 2,800 testing pool athletes complete the Athlete’s Advantage tutorial as USADA continues in its mission to ensure all athletes are educated on timely and relevant anti-doping topics.
At the elite level, athletes can be assigned to one of USADA’s three pools – the Registered Testing Pool (RTP), the Clean Athlete Program (CAP), or the Education Pool (EP). For athletes in these pools to successfully comply with international standards, they must complete anti-doping education each year. USADA helps athletes meet this requirement through its Athlete’s Advantage eLearning tutorial. To ensure athletes are fully aware of their pool-specific anti-doping responsibilities, USADA develops several versions of the Athlete’s Advantage tutorials. Athletes new to their pool are provided with a comprehensive explanation of prohibited substances and methods, the sample collection and result management processes, rights and responsibilities, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), Whereabouts requirements, ways to report suspected doping, and risks associated with dietary supplements. If an athlete has already completed the new athlete tutorial, they will complete the returning athlete tutorial, which is an abbreviated course that covers anti-doping updates, resources, and reminders. Regardless of the tutorial, athletes are required to pass an assessment on the content when added to a pool and each subsequent year.
Video Library
Tools for Success
Resources for Clean Competition
USADA Sample Collection Process | Athlete Drug Testing Explained
Anti-Doping 101 | Athlete Responsibilities in Clean Sport
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Common Anti-Doping Questions
Click on the question to drop down the answer.
Can/will I be tested?
USADA is able to test and adjudicate anti-doping rule violations for any athlete who:
- Is a member or a license holder of a United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC)-recognized sport National Governing Body (NGB)
- Is participating at an event or competition sanctioned by the USOPC or a USOPC-recognized sport NGB or participating at an event or competition in the United States sanctioned by an International Olympic Committee-recognized International Federation (IF) for sport
USADA may also test and adjudicate athletes who meet the following criteria:
- Is a foreign athlete who is present in the United States
- Has given his/her consent to testing by USADA or who has submitted a Whereabouts filing to USADA or an IF within the previous 12 months and has not given his/her NGB written notice of retirement
- Has been named by the USOPC or an NGB to an international team or who is included in a USADA testing pool or is competing in a qualifying event to represent the USOPC or NGB in international competition
- Is a United States athlete or foreign athlete present in the United States who is serving a period of ineligibility on account of an anti-doping rule violation and has not given prior written notice of retirement to his/her NGB and USADA or the applicable foreign anti-doping agency or foreign sport association
- Is being tested by USADA under authorization from the USOPC, an NGB, IF, any National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee, (IPC), or the organizing committee of any event or competition.
Any athlete competing in a race that falls under an NGB’s jurisdiction or that has a short-term or long-term NGB license can be tested by USADA. USADA believes that all athletes, regardless of competition level, have the right to compete on a clean and level playing field.
Do I need to submit Whereabouts?
Whereabouts information (dates, times, locations, etc.) is information submitted to USADA by an athlete, which allows the athlete to be located for out-of-competition testing. Only athletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) or Clean Athlete Program (CAP), who have been personally and directly informed of their inclusion in the RTP or CAP, are required to submit Whereabouts. All other athletes are not. Whereabouts requirements are determined by RTP or CAP inclusion, not event participation. For more information on Whereabouts, please click here.
What substances are banned?
As a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, USADA tests for substances and methods found on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. It’s important that athletes are aware of the substances and methods on the Prohibited List, as an athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance found in their body, regardless of intent.
It’s also important to understand that certain substances are prohibited at all times, while others are prohibited only during competition. In some cases, a substance is only prohibited in a certain sport. Use the resources on this tab in conjunction with the next step about medication to determine whether a substance is prohibited.
How do I check the status of a medication?
Athletes need to be aware of the prohibited status of any medication they are taking, whether it be an over-the-counter or prescription medication. The easiest way to understand your medication is to use USADA’s Global DRO tool, where generic and name brand products, or specific medications or ingredients, can be searched. Results will yield information including the in- and out-of-competition status, any threshold information, as well as sport-specific information for those substances prohibited only in certain sports.
Athletes or their support team can also speak to an expert by phone during business hours by calling Athlete Connect at (719) 785-2000.
If and when a medication is prohibited, athletes may choose to stop taking or replace the medication with a non-prohibited substance, or explore the Therapeutic Use Exemption process.
Your health is the first priority. Any decision to stop or start a medication should be made in consultation with your medical provider.
What if I need a prohibited medication while competing in sport?
In some situations, an athlete may have an illnesses or condition that requires the use of substances or methods listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Prohibited List. A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) provides permission for an athlete to have a prohibited substance in their body at the time of a drug test.
The process for obtaining a TUE is thorough and balances the need to allow athletes access to critical medication while upholding clean athletes’ rights to compete on a level playing field. In some cases, the TUE requirements are different for International Athletes, National Athletes, Recreational Athletes, or Sport Participants.
Athletes interested in obtaining a TUE should visit the Therapeutic Use Exemption page, where they can determine if they need a TUE by completing the TUE Pre-Check Form, begin the application process, and find answers to the most frequently asked TUE questions.
What should I know about the sample collection process?
Athletes selected for testing are subject to both blood, dried blood spot, and/or urine testing. The processes are designed to be both effective in preserving the integrity of the sample, yet safe and comfortable for the athlete. Understanding the processes, as well as an athlete’s rights and responsibilities, can help to make testing less intimidating. There are additional considerations for minor athletes and impaired athletes.
Learn more about the sample collection processes with the links below:
USADA is committed to making sport safe, fair, and authentic at all levels of competition, through independent and comprehensive anti-doping programs. One key component of a successful anti-doping program is strategic drug testing, in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code. USADA’s gold standard testing program utilizes in-competition testing and out-of-competition testing, which can occur at any time and any location. Athletes selected for testing may be required to provide urine, blood, or both. This applies to U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes, International and Masters Level athletes, and Junior athletes.
When a doping control officer, or DCO, notifies athletes that they have been selected for testing, the DCO must show the athlete their credential. If the DCO is not the same gender as the athlete, they’ll be accompanied by a chaperone of the athlete’s gender who can supervise the provision of the sample. The athlete is then required to produce identification and stay within direct view of the DCO or chaperone until the test is concluded. Athletes are required to report immediately to an out-of-competition location or to the in-competition doping control station, unless the DCO approves a valid reason for reason for delay, such as cooling down, attending a medal ceremony, fulfilling a media commitment, or receiving medical attention. Athletes do have the right to have a representative present.
For urine samples, minor athletes are also required to have a third-party present in the toilet area where they can monitor the DCO or chaperone during the provision of the sample. Athletes with disabilities have the right to request necessary modifications to the testing process. All athletes are asked to provide a sample of at least 90 milliliters of urine under the direct observation of a DCO or witnessing chaperone. If 90 milliliters are not immediately available, athletes will store the partial sample in a secure vault and use another collection cup to secure the remaining sample when ready. After staying in view of the chaperone and then providing a full sample, athletes will be offered a choice of sealed sample collection equipment that contain two security bottles marked “A” and “B”. They should inspect the equipment prior to use, and the DCO should instruct the athlete to ensure that the alphanumeric code on the bottles match and correspond to the barcode on the outside of the box. This is critical, since the athletes name will not appear on the documentation sent to the lab, to ensure anonymity. Athletes will then divide their sample between the “A” and “B” sample bottles, secure the bottles, and seal them for shipping. Athletes are to maintain direct observation and control of their sample until it’s sealed.
A sample collection session may include a blood collection. Some USADA DCOs will be licensed or certified phlebotomists. But if they are not, a certified and/or licensed phlebotomist, called a Blood Collection Officer, or BCO, will perform the blood draw. Athletes are asked to stay seated for a period of time before blood is drawn. Less than two tablespoons of blood is needed for testing, which should not affect athletic performance. Complications from a blood draw are rare, but can include, fainting, dizziness, bruising at the puncture site, or hematoma, nerve injury, and arterial puncture or laceration. Site reactions such as bruising or swelling can be minimized by applying pressure to the collection site for at least five minutes, avoiding strenuous exercise for at least 30 minutes, and keeping the bandage on for at least two hours. If you have ever experienced complications from a past blood draw, please bring them to the attention of the USADA DCO before the blood draw begins.
After securing the sample, the DCO will review the Doping Control Official Record, or DCOR, with an athlete, at which time, they will declare their use of any medications, supplements, or treatments before signing the DCOR. Athletes are encouraged to discuss any concerns with the DCO and to provide feedback to USADA. Please visit USADA.org for more information about the sample collection process.
When do I get my results?
Athletes tested under USADA’s testing authority will typically receive a notification of their results within 6-8 weeks from the date of their test. Tests administered by USADA on behalf of other sport organizations or federations will be subject to that organization’s results management process and athletes will not receive results for those tests from USADA.
For more information on USADA’s results management process, please click here.
Are dietary supplements prohibited?
The unfortunate reality is that the use of dietary supplements can be risky and caution must be exercised when considering their use. Use Supplement Connect to:
- REALIZE there are safety issues with dietary supplements.
- RECOGNIZE risk when you see it.
- REDUCE your risk of testing positive and experiencing health problems by taking concrete steps.
Still have questions about anti-doping?
Contact Athlete Connect
AthleteConnect@USADA.org, call (719) 785-2000, or use our contact form.
NOTE: This form does not update Whereabouts information.