NCAA Drug Testing Program
The NCAA drug-testing program, along with clear policies and effective education, protects student-athletes who play by the rules by playing clean. The purpose of the drug-testing program is to deter student-athletes from using performance-enhancing drugs, and it impacts the eligibility of student-athletes who try to cheat by using banned substances. The NCAA tests for steroids, peptide hormones and masking agents year-round and also tests for stimulants and recreational drugs during championships. Member schools also may test for these substances as part of their athletics department drug-deterrence programs. Click on the links below for more information.
NCAA Banned Substances
NCAA Drug Testing Manual
NCAA Drug Policies Brochure
Dietary Supplements
The NCAA does not endorse any dietary supplements; therefore, products markets as "NCAA compliant" have not been reviewed by the NCAA. There is no assurance of a product's purity, safety, or effectiveness. Manufacturers of dietary supplements are not required to obtain pre-market approval from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, there is no assurance of a product's purity, safety, or effectiveness. A dietary supplement may contain a banned substance, even if not listed, due to contamination or poor manufacturing practices. A positive drug test for some banned substances can results in suspension from competition for a minimum of 365 days and the loss of a year of remaining eligibility. Ultimately, student-athletes are responsible for everything they ingest. More information can be found on the NCAA Understanding Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet.
Drug Free Sport AXIS
The NCAA has partnered with Drug Free Sport AXIS, a free online resource for all NCAA student-athletes that provides up-to-date research on supplements and over-the-counter and prescription drugs and medications. AXIS provides online tools such as:
- Medication Status Lookup. Receive an immediate status of a medication as either "banned" or "not banned" according to the NCAA banned substance list.
- Dietary Supplement Inquiry. Receive an expert review of your supplement(s) to help you make an informed decision.
Oxy student-athletes can create an account for free using their email address and access code: ncaa3. Follow this step-by-step guide on how to create an AXIS account.
Medical Exceptions for NCAA Banned Substances
The NCAA list of banned drug classes is composed of substances that are generally purported to be performance enhancing and/or potentially harmful to the health and safety of the student-athlete. The NCAA recognizes that some banned substances are used for legitimate medical purposes. Accordingly, the NCAA allows exception to be made for those student-athletes with a demonstrated medical need to use certain banned substances. Medical exceptions may be granted for substances in the following banned drug classes: anabolic agents*, stimulants, beta blockers, diuretics and masking agents, hormone and metabolic modulators*, beta-2 agonists, peptide hormones*, growth factors or related substances and mimetics*, and narcotics.
*Note: The NCAA must approve the medically excepted use of an anabolic agent, hormone and metabolic modulator, peptide hormone, growth factors, related substances and mimetics before the student-athlete is allowed to participate in competition while using the banned substance. Contact Joe Gonzalez, Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine at jgonzalez28@oxy.edu for more information and instructions on submitting a request for pre-approval to the NCAA.
Student-athletes who are taking prescribed medications identified as stimulants (e.g. ADHD medication), beta-blockers, beta-2 agonists (asthma inhalers such as albuterol), diuretics, and narcotics (e.g. some pain medications) must provide specific documentation for each medication from the treating physician. This documentation includes a completed NCAA Medical Exceptions Reporting Form and supporting medical documentation. This documentation will be maintained in the Oxy sports medicine department and will be submitted to the NCAAÂ in the event of a positive-drug test resulting from the use of these medications. Time is of the essence here, since the student-athlete will be withheld from competition until the documentation is submitted and the NCAA grants an exception. Thus, it is important that student-athletes acquire the correct documentation from their treating physician and submit it to the Oxy sports medicine department as part of their medical clearance process.
NCAA Medical Exception Reporting Form
NCAA Medical Exceptions Procedures
NCAA Banned Substances and Medical Exceptions Procedures FAQs
