National TUE Pool

Athletes defined by UKAD as being within the National TUE Pool of their sport are required to apply for and obtain a TUE before using a prohibited medication or method.

Athletes should use the search function below to find out if they are included within the National TUE Pool for their sport.

International level athletes, as defined by their International Federation, are required to apply directly to their International Federation for a TUE.

Exceptions to obtaining a TUE in advance of starting treatment

TUE requests for athletes in the National TUE Pool should be submitted to UKAD for review before starting treatment. Only in the following circumstances should treatment begin without approval:

  1. Emergency or urgent situations (e.g. allergic reaction, exacerbation of asthma, onset of bell’s palsy, surgery, admission to A&E). In such circumstances, a TUE application should be submitted to UKAD as soon as possible.
  2. In instances whereby an athlete has started treatment prior to reaching a competition level that warrants inclusion in the National TUE Pool. Such athletes should apply for a TUE as soon as they advance to a competition level that is included within the National TUE Pool for their sport.
  3. Athletes who require the use of a glucocorticoid by local injection. In this instance, athletes are only required to apply for a retroactive TUE if they are subject to doping control in-competition and they subsequently return an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the presence of that glucocorticoid. Please refer to our Glucocorticoid TUE Policy for more information.

Retroactive TUE Procedure 

Athletes who are not defined to be within the National TUE Pool for their sport nor are defined to be international level do not need to be in possession of a valid TUE prior to commencing treatment with a prohibited substance or method. However, such athletes should check with their prescribing doctor prior to starting treatment that:

  • the need to use the prohibited substance or method is necessary to treat the diagnosed medical condition
  • the diagnosis is supported by relevant clinical evidence such as investigations, clinical examinations, and/or test results
  • no permitted alternatives exist (the status of other possible treatment options can be assessed using Global DRO).

Athletes have five working days to make a retroactive TUE application following receipt of written notification from UKAD that they have returned an AAF.

Athletes can check below to find out if they are included within the National TUE Pool for their sport. 

Please note that para-sports are listed separately from their able-body counterparts when the sports are governed by different National Governing Bodies (e.g., basketball and wheelchair basketball). Para and able-bodied sports are grouped together as one sport when governed by the same National Governing Body (eg., athletics).

Athletes who are not defined to be within the National TUE Pool for their sport nor are international level should follow UKAD's retroactive TUE procedure outlined above.

In instances whereby an athlete's sport is not listed within the National TUE Pool search, they should contact their National Governing Body to find out about the TUE requirements for their sport.