Human Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)

Athletes, like people in general, may have illnesses or conditions that require them to use medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athlete requires to treat an illness or condition is covered by the Prohibited List, a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) will give that athlete the authorization to use, the needed but otherwise prohibited, medicine or method.

Criteria for granting a TUE
An athlete may be granted a TUE if he/she can show that each of the following conditions are met:

  • The athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method.
  • The therapeutic use of the substance would not produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete’s normal state of health.
  • There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the use of the prohibited substance or method.
  • The necessity to use that substance or method is not a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.

TUE procedures

  1. Check the required medication or method you intend to use against the Prohibited List. It is each athlete´s responsibility to ensure that no prohibited substance enters his/her body and that no prohibited method is used.
  2. As an athlete, you have the responsibility to inform your doctor that you are an athlete subject to doping rules, and your doctor should check the relevant Prohibited List whenever they prescribe a medication or method to you.
    If the medication/method is prohibited, check with your doctor if there are any alternative treatments that are not prohibited. If not, you may need to apply for a TUE.
  3. If you are NOT an International-Level Athlete, you should normally apply to your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO). You will find more information on the relevant organization’s website. IFSS will automatically recognize all TUEs approved by a NADO in accordance with the ISTUE.
  4. If you ARE an International-Level-Athlete you must apply directly to the IFSS, using its specific TUE application form.
  5. To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the “WADA’s Checklist for TUE applications” and the “Medical Information to Support the Decisions of TUECs” posted on WADA’s website for guidance and support.
  6. Whether or not if you apply to your NADO or IFSS, you should always apply as soon as possible. For substances prohibited In-Competition only, you should apply at least 30 days before your next competition if possible. Retroactive TUE applications are only acceptable under certain circumstances.
  7. Incomplete applications will be returned for completion and re-resubmission.
  8. Your application will be assessed by the NADO or the IFSS TUE Committee (TUEC), which will decide whether to grant the application or not as soon as possible, and usually (i.e., unless exceptional circumstances apply) within 21 days of receipt of a complete application. Where a TUE application is made a reasonable time prior to an event, the TUEC will use its best endeavors to issue its decision before the start of the event.
  9. Remember to always keep a copy of your full TUE application form and all medical information submitted in support of your application and proof that it has been sent.

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