TO: New and Returning Student-Athlete and Parent/Guardian
FROM: Andy Carter, Director of Sports Medicine
RE: NCAA Guidelines for ADHD/ADD Medical Exceptions
NCAA bans certain classes of drugs because they can harm student-athletes and create an unfair advantage in
competition. Some legitimate medications contain NCAA banned substances, and student-athletes may need to
use these medicines to support their academics and their general health. In order to allow for these acceptable
uses, the NCAA has a Medical Exceptions Procedure to review and approve legitimate use of medications that
contain NCAA banned substances.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is one of the most common neurobehavioral disorders of childhood
and can persist through adolescence and into adulthood. The most common ADHD banned medications include,
but are not limited to methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamine (Adderall). The Center for Drug Free Sport’s
Resource Center (http://www.drugfreesport.com/rec) allows users to search under the NCAA (password:
NCAA1) for a specific medication to find out if it is banned or not. The NCAA now requires stricter
application of their Medical Exemption policy, specifically for the use of banned stimulant medications to treat
ADHD.
Student-athletes prescribed any of the banned ADHD stimulant medications must report the use of such
medication to Jacksonville University upon matriculation or the start of ADHD treatment. The student-athlete
must NOT wait until the time of NCAA drug testing to report use of the stimulant medication.
Description of the evaluation process which identifies the assessment tools and procedures
Request for Medical Exceptions
Requests for medical exception will be reviewed by physicians who are members of the Committee on
Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports (CSMAS). After a positive drug test occurs, the
Athletic Director and/or designee at Jacksonville University will be responsible for ensuring all submitted
documentation is sent to CSMAS for review and approval. Student-athlete’s medical records or physicians letter
should not be sent to the NCAA unless requested or otherwise initiated specifically by the NCAA. No studentathlete will be granted medical exception for the use of ADHD medications if the required documentation is not
provided to Jacksonville University in a complete and timely manner.
The following minimum physician documentation must be provided to Jacksonville University Sports
Medicine staff:
Physician Documentation
The following must be included in supporting documentation by the physician prescribing ADHD stimulant
medication:
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Student-athlete’s name
Student-athlete’s date of birth
Date of clinical evaluation
Clinical evaluation components including:
o Summary of comprehensive clinical evaluation (referencing DSM-IV criteria) – attach
supporting documentation
o ADHD Rating Scale(s) (e.g., Connors, ASRS, CAARS) scores and report summary – attach
supporting documentation
o Blood pressure and pulse readings and comments
o Note that alternative non-banned medications have been considered, and comments
o Diagnosis
o Medication(s) and dosage
o Follow-up orders
Documentation from prescribing physician must also include:
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Physician name (printed)
Office address and contact information
Specialty
Physician signature and date
If available, the additional ADHD evaluation components should be included:
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Report ADHD symptoms by other significant individual(s).
Psychological testing results
Physical exam date and results
Laboratory/testing results
Summary of previous ADHD diagnosis
Other comments
ADHD Evaluation
Student-athletes diagnosed with ADHD in childhood should provide records of the ADHD assessment and
history of treatment. Student-athletes treated since childhood with ADHD stimulant medication but who
do not have records of childhood ADHD assessment or who are initiating treatment as an adult, must
undergo a comprehensive evaluation by a psychologist to establish diagnosis of ADHD.
*If the athlete does not undergo a standard assessment to diagnose ADHD, they have not met the
requirements for an NCAA medical exception.
To help you with the process, we have included forms for you to utilize during the documentation
process:
 Checklist for Student-Athlete
 Physician Form
 Sample Evaluation Format
 NCAA Frequently Asked Questions
 NCAA Banned Drug List
*Additional documents and detailed guidelines can be accessed at www.ncaa.org/health-safety
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call myself or any member of the
Jacksonville University Sports Medicine Staff, (904) 256-7714. We will be glad to assist you during this
process.
Jacksonville University Sports Medicine
Student-Athlete ADHD Medical Documentation Checklist 2015-2016
*The following is a checklist only. This is for the student-athlete and their parents to help ensure that
the appropriate documentation is turned in. The physician must fill out the attached form as well as
provide detailed documentation of tests, prescriptions, exams, etc.
Student-athlete MUST have, at minmum:
_____ Description of the ADHD evaluation process, must include the following:
_____ Student-athlete’s name
_____ Student-athlete’s date of birth
_____ Date of clinical evaluation
_____ Blood pressure and pulse readings and comments
_____ Summary of comprehensive clinical evaluation (referencing DSM-IV
criteria) – attach
supporting documentation
_____ ADHD Rating Scale(s) (e.g., Connors, ASRS, CAARS) scores and report summary – attach
supporting documentation
_____ Statement regarding follow-up and monitoring visits (must be current each year)
_____ History of ADHD treatment (previous/ongoing)
_____ Statement of the Diagnosis, including when it was confirmed
_____ Copy of most recent prescription (as documented by the prescribing physician)
_____ Note that alternative non-banned medications have been considered, and comments
_____ Documentation from prescribing physician must also include:
_____ Physician name (printed)
_____ Office address and contact information
_____ Specialty
_____ Physician signature and date
Additional documentation, If available:
_____ Report ADHD symptoms by other significant individual(s)
_____ Psychological testing results
_____ Physical exam date and results
_____ Laboratory/testing results
_____ Summary of previous ADHD diagnosis
_____ Other comments
Jacksonville University Sports Medicine
ADHD Medical Exceptions Form 2015-2016
Student-athlete Name: _______________________________ Date of Birth: ____________________
JU Student ID #_____________________________________
Sport(s)_______________________________________
STUDENT ATHLETE
Stimulant medications (i.e. Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse) which are primarily prescribed for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention
Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD) are substances banned by the NCAA. In order to maintain your athletic eligibility, we must have
documentation regarding these medications from the prescribing physician for your JU medical record in sports medicine. Please give this
form to your physician to complete if you are currently taking a stimulant medication.
I, _____________________________________, give___________________________________ permission to release all information
regarding my treatment for ADHD or ADD to JU Sports Medicine Dept. and the NCAA. This authorization will be valid for one calendar
year beginning on the date I sign this authorization. I may revoke this authorization at any time by submitting a letter in writing to the Head
Athletic Trainer, with the understanding that all information released prior to my revocation is excluded.
Athlete Signature: _______________________________________ Date: ____________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ________________________________ Date: ____________________
PHYSICIAN
Our patient is a student-athlete participating in intercollegiate athletics. The NCAA bans the use of some stimulant medications and requires that he
following documentation is submitted to support a request for medical exception in case of a positive drug test for such use. For additional information,
please visit the NCAA Health and Safety website: www.ncaa.org/wps/ncaa?ContentID=481
Physician Name: __________________________________ Specialty: __________________(MD or DO) Phone # (____)__________
Address: _________________________________________ City: _______________________ State: _____ Zip: _______________
_____________________________________ is/has been under my care for treatment of ADHD/ADD since ____________________
Patients Name
Date of Initial Treatment
Current Medication(s) and Dosage: _______________________________________________________________________________
Required ADHD Components (Please submit copies of test result, prescription, and relevant SOAP notes for athletes JU medical file/ NCAA)
Comprehensive clinical evaluation (using DSM-I V criteria): Date: _____/______/________
Adult ADHD Ratinng Scale (i.e Adult ADHD self reports scale (ASRS), CONNERS Adult ADHD reporting scale(CAARS)
Monitored Blood Pressure: ______/_______ Pulse: _________ Comments: _______________________________________________
Alternative non-stimulant medication (like Straterra) has been considered or tried.
Patient is currently taking this non-stimulant medication: ___________________________ Dosage: _________________
Patient has tried the following non-stimulant medication: _________________________ which was not effective or
tolerated.
I have discussed the risks, benefits, alternatives with the patient and feel that for this individual, a stimulant medication
is the best option.
Diagnosis: ________________________________________________________ Diagnosis Date: _______/_______/_______________
The student-athlete will follow-up with me in (circle one): 3 months 6 months 12 months Other___________________________
Additional ADHD Evaluation Components (to be provided if available)
Reporting of ADHD symptoms by other significant individual(s): ________________________________________________________
Other Psychological Testing: _____________________________ Laboratory /Testing: _______________________________________
Physical Exam Date: ______/______/_________ Results: ______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Physicians Signature
Date