This legislation passed in the wake of the Larry Nassar scandal and allegations of questionable testing practices at major international events. USADA, therefore, developed a new certification program (the “Program”) to strengthen athlete safety and provide greater consistency. The Nassar scandal, one of the most significant cases of sexual abuse in U.S. sports history, revealed systemic failures in athlete protection. Additionally, testing conducted in the past at certain international events in the United States used or attempted to use questionable testing practices that lacked consistency and threatened to undermine the World Anti-Doping Code (the “Code”) and related International Standards. Organizations submitting an application for certification do not need to provide athlete names or specific testing windows.
The Program is designed such that only legally authorized personnel who have received safeguarding training and, when applicable, IDCO training conduct testing within the United States. This will ensure sample collection personnel provide a consistent and professional experience for athletes and do not take advantage of the power dynamics and vulnerabilities inherent in doping control settings. The Program does not require organizations to provide athlete names or specific testing windows or dates of testing, and organizations using USADA for sample collection do not need to complete an application for certification.
The Program provides a consistent, transparent, and athlete-centered system for testing under the World Anti-Doping Code within the U.S. that upholds the integrity of sport and dignity of athletes. This is particularly important leading into major international competitions set to take place in the U.S. like the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
USADA is proud to launch the Program following feedback from several organizations.
This Program is in development, and comments or inquiries can be sent to certification@USADA.org.
[1] 21 U.S.C. § 2001(b)(1)(B).
Applicability
All testing conducted by international organizations under the Code for international athletes and athletic competitions occurring within the United States shall be subject to this Program. For the avoidance of doubt, organizations described above acting as the Sample Collection Authority fall under this Program and include, but are not limited to, the following:
- National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs)
- International Federations (IFs)
- Third-Party Collection Agencies
- Major Event Organizations (MEOs)
- Local Organizing Committees (LOCs)
Organizations utilizing USADA as the Sample Collection Authority (“SCA”) do not need to obtain certification. SCA that fall within the scope of this Program, who do not use USADA as the SCA, shall obtain (1) an initial certification from USADA prior to collecting samples in the United States; and (2) annual re-certification.
Testing Authorities that use third party collectors should contractually require the SCA to hold insurance and the SCA shall obtain and hold insurance meeting the following minimum requirements.
- Commercial General Liability Insurance from a company with an “A” rating or better, including Umbrella/Excess Liability coverage, with limits not less than $1,000,000 USD per occurrence and $2,000,000 USD in aggregate. Umbrella/Excess coverage must apply in excess of and follow the form and function of the primary General Liability and Employer’s Liability policies.
SCA that fall within the scope of this Program shall in good faith make their best effort to apply for certification not less than thirty days prior to the date of any sample collection. Efforts to expedite this process will be made as needed.
Certifications cover the general description of plans submitted with the organization’s application. Names of athletes being tested and specific testing windows are never required for certification. Certifications expire at the end of each calendar year. Re-certification must be completed annually.
application checklist
All organizations subject to this Program shall provide the following documentation and information with their application for an initial certification, and upon request, at the time of re-certification.
Completed application. (Note: Where USADA is not the SCA, the organization acting as SCA must submit an application. Organizations that utilize USADA as its Sample Collection Authority are not required to submit an application for certification under this program.)
- Attestation that the organization is a Code Signatory (or is acting as an agent of a Code Signatory and, therefore, bound to abide by the Code and related International Standards) and that there is a basis for jurisdiction over athletes the organization intends to test.
- The organization’s protocols for sample collection.
- A copy of the anti-doping rules by which the organization is bound.
- A general summary of the plans to conduct testing in the United States, including, for in-comp testing, the event name(s) and, location(s) of events at which testing is anticipated to occur, and general date ranges, even if it is simply throughout the entire year, for out-of-competition testing. Organizations are not required to provide athlete names or specific testing windows or testing dates.
- Attestation that the organization holds insurance as described above.
- Attestation that the organization is legally authorized and, for blood collections, legally qualified to conduct testing in the U.S. and is and will remain through the end of the certification period compliant with all applicable U.S. laws, including immigration and tax laws.
- Attestation that all Sample Collection Personnel are sufficiently trained to implement the International Standard for Testing and Investigations and all eligible[1] Doping Control Officers (“DCOs”) who will conduct testing on behalf of the organization in the United States will hold active certification through the International Testing Agency (“ITA”) International DCO (“IDCO”) Training and Certification Program or equivalent at the time of testing.
- Attestation that each Sample Collection Personnel has undergone and completed SafeSport or equivalent training.
[1] DCOs must have a minimum of two years of professional experience working as a DCO to be considered eligible for the IDCO Training and Certification Program. For more information on eligibility criteria, please see the IDCO Training and Certification Program website.
Application Process
Download & Complete Your Application
Complete the application linked above, noting the type of certification being requested and gather the required materials. Click here to view the Terms and Conditions for the application.
Submit Application
Submit a completed application with all required materials via email to certification@USADA.org.
Application Review
Once submitted, USADA will review, conduct additional research or follow up if needed, and provide its response, in the form of an approval, denial, or a request for additional information within thirty (30) days from the date of submission.
Consequences
Failure to obtain advanced certification may prevent the organization from conducting testing, results management, or sample collection within the United States and may have other legal consequences, including fines or being reported to the United States Congress.
Failure to abide by certification authorized by USADA may result in revocation of the certification, fines, denial of future certification, and public announcement of the non-compliance.
Certified Program Participants
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Events:
- Fall 2025 | Cincinnati, Ohio
- Fall 2025 | Cincinnati, Oho
- Fall 2025 | Cincinnati, Oho