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Graduates will be able to use the DCO certification to apply for positions to work as a Doping Control Officer for national and international anti-doping organisations or with sporting events delivering an anti-doping program.
The course can be delivered locally and is accessible to all anti-doping organisations such as:
Please contact [email protected] if your organisation is interested in hosting an event.
This includes completion of the online learning component and attendance of the face-to-face event, and passing the practical and theoretical examination.
To be eligible to enrol, you are expected to meet the following criteria:
Applicants must describe in detail how they meet the criteria for enrolment on the application form. Following submission of all supporting documentation, applicants may also be asked to attend an online interview as part of the application process.
The program content focuses on foundation-level professional knowledge needed to conduct doping controls in sport.
Students will develop knowledge and skills in:
Part 1. Online learning
The online learning component contains approximately 8 hours of self-paced learning. It must be completed before the face-to-face event. It presents the core, mandatory processes required as part of the testing operations according to the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. This is followed by an online exam. Topics include:
Part 2. Face-to-face training
The intensive three-day face-to-face is delivered as an interactive and practical training event in Lausanne, Switzerland (or other location) with two of the ITA’s expert trainers. Example agenda:
Day 1: Introduction to doping control, anti-doping operations and procedures. Plus in-depth urine testing process, equipment and post-test administration.
Day 2: In-depth testing process an equipment, out-of-competition testing and reporting. Plus modifications to procedures, managing failure and refusals.
Day 3: Skills evaluation and final practical assessment of the testing process.
Includes online learning course, face-to-face training for three days including lunch and refreshments, training materials.
Students will be responsible for travel and accommodation to attend the three-day event.
The ITA delivers the full DCO Foundation Training Program in collaboration with organisations such as NADOs and RADOs and event organisers. The training can be delivered in the country of the host organisation for different size groups. The ITA will work with your organisation to design a bespoke training program to best meet your training needs.
The ITA provides the entire course including access to online learning, and the right number of expert trainers to deliver the three-day face-to-face training event in your country.
Please contact [email protected] to discuss and obtain a quote for an event delivered by the ITA for your testing workforce.
The ITA DCO Foundation Program is just the start of the journey of a DCO. Following successful completion of the course, graduates will be encouraged to gain practical experience involving actual supervised testing missions.
Graduates will be personally responsible for applying to work as a DCO and seeking this work experience through their local sport and anti-doping organisations, private sample collection agencies, or directly with the organising committess of sporting events. When applying for work as a DCO, graduates will be subject to the recruitment procedures specific to the organisations they apply to work for.
When working for an anti-doping organisation or private sample collection agency, DCOs may be required to undertake further training or obtain a specific accreditation as per that organisation’s rules and protocols before undertaking testing missions for it. DCOs may be subject to an annual accreditation process and performance evaluation specific to their organisation. Further information on the accreditation process for DCOs when they work in an anti-doping organisation can be found in the WADA Guidelines for Sample Collection Personnel.
Not necessarily. You will still have to apply directly to an anti-doping organisation to work as a DCO for that organisation.
The ITA will help connect you with potential recruiting organisations on completion of the course. It will be your responsibility to apply for DCO positions directly to that organisation.
We would recommend speaking to potential anti-doping organisations who you may be interested in working for to see if they are currently recruiting for DCO positions.
The appointment of DCO positions is usually done by: National Anti-Doping Agencies, Major Event Organisers, Private Sample Collection Agencies, International Testing Agency, and other sporting federations or organisations.
A list of National Anti-Doping Agencies and Major Event Organisers can be found on the WADA website.
The application to apply to become an ITA DCO can be found here.
Different organisations have different fee structures for the DCOs that undertake the testing for them. The rates of pay will depend on the organisation you work for and the country you work in.
DCOs are often contracted on a part-time or freelance basis, but some organisations employ DCOs on a full-time basis. Some organisations pay an hourly or daily rate for the work undertaken. DCOs would usually be reimbursed for travel and hotel expenses incurred when conducting testing missions.
When working as a DCO at a sporting event, the organising committee of that event often sets the terms of employment with the DCO. For example, at previous Olympic Games, DCOs have been paid a daily per-diem and have had accommodation provided.
Will I be a WADA accredited DCO after completing the course?
DCO accreditation is linked to the organisation that you work for. When you work for an organisation, you would need to comply with their accreditation requirements. DCOs may be subject to an annual accreditation process and performance evaluation specific to their organisation. Further information on the accreditation process for DCOs when they work in an anti-doping organisation can be found in the WADA Guidelines for Sample Collection Personnel.
I am not a healthcare professional or have a background in anti-doping. Can I still do the course?
Yes, you can. But having some experience working in the sport setting will really help in your future application to work for anti-doping organisations as a DCO.
Volunteering as a Chaperone at a sporting event is a great way to get good experience working in an anti-doping team at an event.
Can I attend the DCO Foundation Training Program virtually?
No. The ITA DCO Foundation Training Program is only delivered face-to-face at an onsite venue. This is because the training is very practical, and you will need to learn how to use sample collection equipment.
What is the difference between the IDCO Training Program and the DCO Foundation Training Program?
The ITA Foundation Training Program is the beginner entry-level course for people who have not worked as a DCO before, or who seek a formal structured foundation-level training. It teaches the technical skills of being a DCO from first principles.
The ITA IDCO Training Program is an advanced-level course for experienced DCOs who have been working as a DCO at an anti-doping organisation for a minimum of 2 years and who are currently actively working as a DCO. Applicants for this course must have completed a foundation-level training either through the ITA DCO Foundation Training Program or a similar training with their anti-doping organisation. The IDCO Training Program is delivered by the ITA in collaboration with anti-doping organisations. More information about this advanced-level course can be found here.
How can I attend the advanced-level IDCO Training Program?
The ITA IDCO Training Program is only currently delivered in collaboration with anti-doping organisations. If your organisation is interested in hosting an advance-level training for their experienced DCOs, please ask your organisation to contact the ITA to discuss. Further information can be found here.
