6.1 An Athlete who needs a TUE should apply as soon as possible. For substances prohibited In-Competition only, the Athlete should apply for a TUE at least thirty (30) days before their next Competition, unless it is an emergency or exceptional situation.

6.2 The Athlete should apply to their National Anti-Doping Organization, International Federation and/or a Major Event Organization (as applicable), online or using the TUE application form provided. Anti-Doping Organizations shall make the application form or process they want Athletes to use available on their websites. If an application form is used, it must be based on the “TUE Application Form” template available on WADA’s website. The template may be modified by Anti-Doping Organizations to include additional requests for information, but no sections or items may be removed.

[Comment to Article 6.2: In certain situations, an Athlete may not know which National Anti-Doping Organization they should apply to for a TUE. In such circumstances, the Athlete should consult the National Anti-Doping Organization of the country of the sport organization for which they compete (or with which they are a member or license holder), to determine if they fall within that National Anti-Doping Organization’s TUE jurisdiction, according to their rules.

If that National Anti-Doping Organization refuses to evaluate the TUE application because the Athlete does not fall within its TUE jurisdiction, the Athlete should consult the anti-doping rules of the National Anti-Doping Organization of the country in which they reside (if different).

If the Athlete still does not fall within that National Anti-Doping Organization’s TUE jurisdiction, the Athlete should then consult the anti-doping rules of the National Anti-Doping Organization of their country of citizenship (if different from where they compete or reside).

Athletes may contact any of the above-referenced National Anti-Doping Organizations for assistance with determining whether the National Anti-Doping Organization has TUE jurisdiction. In the event that none of the above-mentioned National Anti-Doping Organizations have TUE jurisdiction, where there is an Adverse Analytical Finding, the Athlete should ordinarily be permitted to apply for a retroactive TUE from the Anti-Doping Organization that has Results Management authority. See also the summary flowcharts on “Where to Apply?” in the medical section of WADA’s website.]

6.3 An Athlete may not apply to more than one (1) Anti-Doping Organization for a TUE for the Use of the same Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method for the same medical condition. Nor may an Athlete have more than one (1) TUE at a time for the Use of the same Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method for the same medical condition (and any such new TUE will supersede the previous TUE, which should be cancelled by the relevant Anti-Doping Organization).

6.4 The Athlete should submit the TUE application to the relevant Anti-Doping Organization via ADAMS or as otherwise specified by the Anti-Doping Organization. The application must be accompanied by a comprehensive medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing physician(s) (where possible) and the results of all relevant examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies. The application must include the physician’s signature, in the designated area.

[Comment to Article 6.4: The information submitted in relation to the diagnosis and treatment should be guided by the relevant WADA documents posted on WADA’s website.]

6.5 The Athlete should keep a complete copy of the TUE application and of all materials and information submitted to their Anti-Doping Organization.

6.6 A TUE application will only be considered by the TUEC following the receipt of a properly completed application, accompanied by all relevant documents. Incomplete applications will be returned to the Athlete for completion and re-submission.

6.7 The TUEC may request from the Athlete or their physician any additional information, examinations or imaging studies, or other information that it deems necessary in order to consider the Athlete’s application; and/or it may seek the assistance of such other medical or scientific experts as it deems appropriate.

6.8 Any costs incurred by the Athlete in making the TUE application and in supplementing it as required by the TUEC are the responsibility of the Athlete.

6.9 The TUEC shall decide whether or not to grant the application as soon as possible, and usually (i.e., unless exceptional circumstances apply) within no more than twenty-one (21) days of receipt of a complete application. Where a TUE application is made in a reasonable time prior to an Event, the TUEC must use its best endeavors to issue its decision before the start of the Event.

6.10 The TUEC’s decision must be communicated in writing to the Athlete and must be made available to WADA and to other Anti-Doping Organizations via ADAMS, in accordance with Article 5.5.

6.11 Each TUE will have a specified duration, as decided by the TUEC, at the end of which the TUE will expire automatically. If the Athlete needs to continue to Use the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method after the expiry date, they must submit an application for a new TUE well in advance of that expiry date, so that there is sufficient time for a decision to be made on the application before the expiry date.

[Comment to Article 6.11: Where applicable, the duration of validity should be guided by the WADA documents titled “TUE Physician Guidelines”.]

6.12 A TUE will be withdrawn prior to expiry if the Athlete does not promptly comply with any requirements or conditions imposed by the Anti-Doping Organization granting the TUE. Alternatively a TUE may be reversed upon review by WADA or on appeal.

6.13 Where an Adverse Analytical Finding is issued shortly after a TUE for the Prohibited Substance in question has expired or has been withdrawn or reversed, the Anti-Doping Organization conducting the initial review of the Adverse Analytical Finding, in accordance with Article 5.1.1.1 of the International Standard for Results Management shall consider whether the finding is consistent with Use of the Prohibited Substance prior to the expiry, withdrawal or reversal of the TUE. If so, such Use (and any resulting presence of the Prohibited Substance in the Athlete’s Sample) is not an anti-doping rule violation.

6.14 In the event that, after their TUE is granted, the Athlete requires a materially different dosage, frequency, route or duration of Administration of the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method to that specified in the TUE, they must contact the relevant Anti-Doping Organization, who will then determine whether the Athlete needs to apply for a new TUE. If the presence, Use, Possession or Administration of the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method is not consistent with the terms of the TUE granted, the fact that the Athlete has the TUE will not prevent the finding of an anti-doping rule violation.

[Comment to Article 6.14: It is recognized that for certain medical conditions, dosages may fluctuate, particularly during the early stages of the establishment of a treatment regime or for a condition such as insulin-dependent diabetes. Such potential fluctuations should be accounted for in the TUE. However, in the event of a change that is not accounted for in the TUE, the Athlete must contact the relevant Anti-Doping Organization to determine whether a new TUE is required.]