Therapeutic Use Exemptions

"Report rather than be caught!"

What is a TUE?

As a competitor, you may have an illness or condition that requires a particular medication. If this medication contains a substance on the WADA Prohibited List, you may be granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) giving you permission to take it.

TUEs can be granted by the FAI or by National Anti-Doping Organisations. FAI automatically recognises TUEs issued by National Anti-Doping Organisations.

Who needs a TUE?

Any athlete participating in an FAI-sanctioned event (any event registered in the FAI Calendar) and who may therefore be subject to doping control must request a TUE before taking a prohibited medication. All information related to this request is treated as strictly confidential.

According to FAI Anti-Doping Rules, the athletes required to apply to FAI for a TUE are International Athletes.

These are:

a. Athletes who participate in select FAI Category 1 and Category 2 (see FAI Sporting Code General Section paragraphs 3.5.1. and 3.5.2. for definitions) International Events
b. Athletes who have an FAI international license

Athlete Support Personnel (ASP) cannot apply for a TUE for themselves. However, ASPs should have acceptable justification for using a prohibited substance. ASPs may also be in possession of prohibited substances if consistent with a TUE granted to an Athlete (e.g. carrying insulin for an athlete who has a TUE for it).

Why would you need a TUE?

TUEs ensure that you are able to obtain treatment for a legitimate medical condition, even if that treatment requires a prohibited substance or method. The TUE process avoids the risk of sanctions due to a positive test.

How to get a TUE?

Fill in the application form with the help of your doctor. The name of the prohibited substance(s) should be mentioned (not the brand name of the medication) and only prohibited substances should be registered on the TUE Form . Warning: it is your doctor's responsibility to check which medications contain a prohibited substance!
Have the form checked and signed by your doctor.
If you are an International level pilot, send this form to FAI Headquarters for the attention of the Anti-Doping Manager.
If you are a National level pilot, send it to your National Air Sport Control.

If the TUE is approved, the athlete will receive a TUE certificate of approval.

Athletes must obtain TUEs for prohibited substances before they compete. Athletes in the Registered Testing Pool should apply for TUEs when they first provide whereabouts information to FAI and, except in emergencies, no less than 21 days before participation at an International event. Athletes not in the Registered Training Pool must apply for TUEs through their National Airsport Control (NAC) no less than 21 days before they participate at an International event.

Please note that TUE requests to FAI are free of charge. Your doctor may charge a fee to sign your form, though.

FAI TUE Panel

The FAI has appointed a panel of physicians to consider TUEs ("the TUE Panel"). Athletes must submit their TUE requests (signed and including all the necessary information) to FAI directly for the TUE Panel to evaluate (for athletes in the Registered Testing Pool, this is the case even if he or she already has a TUE issued by their NAC). The FAI TUE Panel will evaluate requests for TUEs in accordance with WADA's International Standards. All enquiries are treated in confidence.