Last Updated: February 12, 2026
*Please direct any questions or comments to the IFBB Professional League.
General
Rule 1: Testing for Anabolic Agents (S1) and Diuretics & Masking Agents (S5) is mandatory.
Rule 2: Testing methods are urinalysis and polygraph.
Rule 3: The top two (2) finalists in each division must submit to testing via urinalysis.
Rule 4: Polygraph may be used to pre-screen athletes.
Rule 5: Promoters must inform athletes of the categories to be tested and the testing method(s) to be used.
Rule 6: Laboratories used to perform urinalysis and polygraph examiners must be professionally accredited.
Testing Method – Urinalysis
Rule 7: The IFBB PRO Sample Collection Process is a step-by-step procedure for the collection of urine samples.
Rule 8: The doping control official and athlete must complete and sign a sample collection form to document the sample collection process.
Rule 9: A laboratory must detect a prohibited substance, its metabolite(s), or marker(s) in an athlete’s urine sample to be considered a doping offense.
Testing Method – Polygraph
Rule 10: The “clean period” during which athletes must not have used prohibited substances is defined in Appendix 1.
Rule 11: A polygraph failure results in disqualification and suspension in accordance with Rule 13.
Rule 12: Voluntary disclosure of a prohibited substance during a polygraph pre-examination results in disqualification and suspension.
Penalties
Rule 13: In addition to disqualification (including the loss of placings, awards, and prize money), the penalties for a positive urinalysis or polygraph examination failure are:
- First offense: one-year suspension
- Second offense: two-year suspension
- Third offense: lifetime suspension
Rule 14: Doping control offenses may also be committed as a result of non-analytical violations, such as:
- Evading, refusing, or failing to submit to sample collection after notification
- Manipulating, substituting, or contaminating a sample
- Providing false information on a sample collection form
- Unacceptable or improper behavior during the sample collection process
Results Management
Rule 15: The IFBB Professional League is responsible for results management. Positive laboratory and failed polygraph reports must be sent to the IFBB Professional League. Test results are confidential.
Rule 16: For urinalysis, if the test result is negative, no athlete notification is required. If the test result is positive, the athlete must be notified. The notification must include:
- The name, venue, and date of the contest at which the sample was collected;
- The substance, or substances, that produced the positive test result;
- A copy of the laboratory report and sample collection form; and
- The penalty imposed.
Rule 17: For polygraph, if passed, no athlete notification is required. If failed, or if disqualified as a result of a voluntary disclosure, the athlete must be notified. The notification must include:
- The name, venue, and date of the contest at which the polygraph examination was conducted;
- A copy of the examiner’s report (summary only); and
- The penalty imposed
Rule 18: A positive urinalysis or failed polygraph result may not be challenged or appealed.
Back-to-Back Natural to Natural Pro Contests
Rule 19: If two natural pro contests are back-to-back*, and if the test results from the first contest are not known before the second contest, an athlete may compete in the second contest under the following conditions:
- If the athlete fails the test from the first contest but does not fail the test from the second contest, the athlete will be disqualified from both contests and will be suspended for one year from the date of the first contest.
- If the athlete passes the test from the first contest but fails the test from the second contest, the athlete will be disqualified from the second contest and will be suspended for one year from the date of the second contest.
- If the athlete fails the test from the first and second contests, the athlete will be disqualified from both contests and will be suspended for one year from the date of the first contest.
- Athletes can only move up in the placings if they tested negative.
Back-to-Back Natural to Open Pro Contests
Rule 20: If natural and open pro contests are back-to-back:
- If the results are known from the natural contest only after the open contest, the positive athlete is disqualified from both contests and is suspended from the date of the natural contest. Lower-placed athletes from the open contest may be moved up in the placings. Lower-placed athletes from the natural contest may be moved up in the placings only if they tested negative.
- If the results are known from the natural contest before the open contest, the positive athlete is disqualified from the natural contest and is suspended from the date of the natural contest. The athlete’s contract for the open contest is canceled. Lower-placed athletes from the natural contest may be moved up in the placings only if they tested negative.
*The term “back-to-back” means two natural contests, or a natural contest and an open contest, the second of which is held before the test results from the first are reported by the laboratory.
Olympia
Rule 21: The division winners at natural pro contests qualify for the Ben Weider Naturals Pro. They do not qualify for the Olympia.
Ben Weider Naturals Pro
Rule 22: The tested categories and testing methods at the Ben Weider Naturals Pro may differ from those used at other natural pro contests.
HRT/TRT
Rule 23: Athletes using hormone replacement therapy or testosterone replacement therapy (HRT/TRT) are not eligible to compete in natural pro contests.
Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)
Rule 24: An athlete must submit a completed and signed Therapeutic Use Exemption Form for a TUE (other than for HRT/TRT) to be considered. Submit to IFBB Professional League.
Deviations
Rule 25: Not all deviations from these rules are deemed infractions as they may be accidental, necessary for safety, or non-material to a final outcome.
Alterations
Rule 26: The IFBB Professional League may alter these rules without notice. Contest organizers and athletes are solely responsible for remaining current with these rules.
Appendix 1
| Item # | Prohibited Substance | Clean Period |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Anabolic Agents see note 1 | 3 years |
| 2. | Hormone and Metabolic Modulators | 3 years |
| 3. | Insulin see note 2 | 3 years |
| 4. | Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances, and Mimetics see note 3 | 3 years |
| 5. | SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator) see note 4 | 3 years |
| 6. | Thyroid Hormones see note 5 | 3 years |
| 7. | Beta-2 Agonists | 6 months |
| 8. | Diuretics and Masking Agents | 6 months |
| 9. | Insulin Manipulators see note 6 | 6 months |
| 10. | Stimulants | 6 months |
| 11. | Intoxicating Substances see note 7 | 12 hours |
| 12. | Muscle Implants or Injections of any kind see note 8 |
Note 1: Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (Exogenous, Endogenous when administered exogenously), and other Anabolic Agents (e.g. Clenbuterol, Tibolone, Zeranol, Zilpaterol)
Note 2: When used for the purpose of bodybuilding (prescribed insulin is permitted)
Note 3: Including but not limited to EPO, Peptide Hormones and Hormone Modulators, Growth Hormone, Growth Factors and Growth Factor Modulators
Note 4: Andarine, LGD-4033, Ostarine, RAD140
Note 5: When used for bodybuilding purposes including but not limited to: Synthroid, T3, T4 (prescribed thyroid hormones are permitted)
Note 6: When used solely for weight loss (e.g. Wegovy, Ozempic, Metformin, Rybelsus, etc.)
Note 7: Cannabis, Alcohol, Narcotics
Note 8: Including Synthol
