HOSA-Future Health Professionals is a Career and Technical Student Organization for students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs. Its Competitive Events Program recognizes the skills members build through Health Science and Biomedical Science classes, related job training, and HOSA activities.
Event categories (2026–2027 guidelines):
| Category | Example events |
|---|---|
| Health Science | Medical Terminology, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology, Medical Law & Ethics |
| Health Professions | Clinical Nursing, Dental Science, Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine |
| Emergency Preparedness | CPR/First Aid, Emergency Medical Technician, Epidemiology, Public Health |
| Leadership | Health Career Photography, Prepared Speaking, Interviewing Skills |
| Teamwork | Biomedical Debate, Creative Problem Solving, HOSA Bowl, Forensic Science |
| Academic Testing Center | Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Microbiology, General Chemistry |
| Recognition | HOSA Service Project, Health Literacy Ambassador, HOSA Happenings |
The Middle School division has its own events, such as Foundations of Medical Terminology and Health Career Exploration. Full event guidelines are on the HOSA guidelines page.
Divisions (as defined in the 2026–2027 General Rules and Regulations, rule 11):
- Middle School: students in grades 6–8
- Secondary: students in grades 9–12
- Postsecondary/Collegiate: undergraduate students in community college or college-level programs
Members must compete in the division they belong to.
How competitors reach ILC:
HOSA's chartered associations offer the Competitive Events Program at the regional, area, state, and/or country level. Besides US states, HOSA has chartered associations in US territories and in some other countries; see the chartered associations list. Each association may send up to three competitors or teams per event per division to the International Leadership Conference (ILC), with exceptions for Recognition and Academic Testing Center events. Who qualifies is set by each association's policy. At ILC, a member may enter only one regular competitive event. These rules are in the 2026–2027 General Rules and Regulations (rules 1, 2, and 6).
ILC 2027:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Dates | June 22–25, 2027 |
| Venue | Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA |
ILC includes competitive events focused on leadership, professional, and technical skills, along with HOSA's annual business meeting, educational seminars and workshops from healthcare partners, and recognition events.
Membership (see hosa.org/membership):
Students join through a HOSA chapter at their high school, technical school, community college, or university; individual memberships are not available. Students not enrolled in a health science program may join an existing chapter as associate members. If a school has no chapter, students can work with a health career instructor or faculty advisor to start one.
About HOSA:
HOSA has been active since 1976 and is recognized by the US Department of Education (About HOSA).
Registration stages, checked November 4, 2026: The current 2026–2027 General Rules and Regulations, linked from the GRR page, distinguish membership, local qualification and ILC entry:
- Chapter roster affiliation: January 1 for Fall enrollees; March 1 for Spring enrollees, or within 30 days of a program initiated during Spring. Members must also affiliate before their association's leadership conference.
- Local competition: associations publish their own eligibility and qualification cutoffs; individual event guidelines also apply.
- ILC registration: competitive-event participants must be registered by May 15, with official entry verified by the association advisor or designee. The rule states no cutoff clock. This is an ILC registration milestone, not a universal date for students to enter local competitions.
Competitors must be active members in good standing: their chapter needs at least five members and an advisor, and affiliation fees must be paid in full. The membership page permits associate membership, but this alone does not establish eligibility for an ILC competitive event. The official ILC page confirms June 22–25, 2027 in Philadelphia. Current conference fees and event-specific submission/payment dates are not confirmed here; the ILC updates page still contains prior-conference details, which are not assumed to apply to 2027.