SC HOSA state leadership conference guide

#1 Conference Information

    1. Registration fees
    2. Who can attend
    3. Events (Competitive & Recognition)
    4. Guidelines
    5. Dress Code
    6. Online Testing
    7. IDs

#2 Step-by-Step Registration

    1. Registration
    2. Register your students for their competitive events & recognition events
    3. Assign your “courtesy corps members”
    4. Assign your “Outstanding HOSA member” (if you choose to do so)
    5. Register everyone with the correct conference t-shirt sizes

#3 Other Conference Information

  1. General Sessions
  2. Recognition/Awards Ceremony
  3. Scholarships
  4. State Officers
  5. On-site meetings (Advisor, Event Personnel, Courtesy Corps, etc.)
  6. State Officer – “Meet and Greet”

#4 Forms, Photos, & Options

    1. Required forms & upload process
    2. Outstanding HOSA Member (OHM) photo
    3. Courtesy Corps.
    4. Voting Delegates
    5. Your HOSA Chapter Photo
    6. Student Eligibility form 

#5 Digital Upload Information

    1. Events requiring digital uploads
    2. Upload Directions
    3. Upload Deadline

#6 Hotel Information

  1. Description of each hotel, pricing, and amenities
  2. Conference Verification Forms (CVF) – this form MUST be completed to secure your hotel rooms

#7 Deadlines & Reminders

Don’t let uncertainty lead to missed deadlines.
Stay informed about all the DEADLINES and REMINDERS for the conference.

#1 Conference Information

General Conference Information

  • Registration Fees– $90
    • Payment deadline is March 3, 2026
    • Payment can be made by:
      • Check and mailing to SC HOSA, PO Box 866, Lexington, SC 29071
      • Credit Card (Non-refundable fees will apply)
  • Photo IDs will be required this year- Acceptable Forms of ID

 

Dress Code

 

new: paper & pencil testing

    • In-person Testing on Thursday, March 12 (test-only events)
      • Health Science Category (except Medical Spelling)
      • Epidemiology

    Online testing

    Round 1 testing & Extemporaneous Writing will be proctored and taken the week of February 25 – March 4, 2026, 8 AM – 5 PM

    • Individual chapter advisors determine their chapter’s specific testing times and coordinate with proctors
      • Click here for a list of all testing that will take place prior to the conference.
    • PROCTOR and online Testing Information, click here for all of the details

    NEW for 2026

    • NEW EVENT
      • HOSA History Test

      reminders

      REMINDERS:

      • All events may have up to three (3) competitors/teams per chapter.
      •  Healthcare Issues Exam (Recognition Event)- ONLY FIVE (5) from the same chapter may test
      • Registration is available for all students and advisors who are HOSA members for the 2025-2026 academic year, along with alumni, chaperones, and other professionals.  All advisors MUST be registered HOSA members.

       

      who may compete?

      Any registered HOSA member in good standing.
      Students may compete in ONLY ONE Competitive Event (CE) category listed below.

      • Health Science Event
      • Health Professions Event
      • Emergency Preparedness Event
      • Leadership Event
      • Teamwork Event

      In addition to the competitive event categories from above, students may also participate in one or more Recognition Event(s) at no additional registration fee.

      However, they must be registered in the events listed below.

      • Recognition Events: All entries must be entered in HATS (HOSA Activity Tracking System) and advisor-approved by Feb 21st.
        • America Ref Cross Chapter Recognition
        • Barbara James Service Award
        • Health Literacy Ambassador
      • Your State Service Project Information should be entered here.

      NGL/Cengage Academic Testing

      In addition to Competitive Events and Recognition participation, the National Geographic Learning Academic Testing Center (NGL-ATC) is available this year, for an additional $10 per test. All NGL-ATC tests will be conducted simultaneously with all other online testing.

      NGL-ATC- Students may choose to take multiple tests, however, each test is $10.

      At the local level, the school or advisor is responsible for providing accommodations for multiple tests if students choose to take more than one NGL-ATC test. Alternatively, you, as the advisor, have the option to restrict the number of tests offered to your students.

      NGL-ATC top 5 finishers will be recognized on the PowerPoint ONLY during the Awards Session.

       

       

      IMPORTANT INFORMATION

      1. Schools are limited to only 5 students taking the Healthcare Issues Exam.

      2. Schools are limited to 3 students/teams per school, per competitive event.

      #2 Step-by-Step Registration

      Make sure you have completed your registration with the following for EACH student:

      1. Competitive Event
      2. Recognition Event, if applicable.  If it is a chapter recognition event (National or State Service Award, Blood Drive, American Red Cross, HOSA Happenings), you need to register just one person for your chapter.
      3. T-shirt size for EVERYONE registered (student, advisors, & chaperone)
      4.  Courtesy Corps members (up to 4 per chapter)
      5. If you choose to designate an Outstanding HOSA Member (OHM).  One student only per chapter.

      #3 Other Conference Information

      Opening/General Sessions

      • Opening/General Session will be on Wednesday, March 11th at 8 PM
      • Attire for Opening Session is the HOSA’s official Uniform Policy OR Business Dress Policy.
      • Students not dressed properly will be turned away and not allowed on stage for any awards they may receive.
      • Advisors/Guests/Chaperones should serve as role models and dress professionally at all times.

       

      STATE OFFICER APPLICATIONS

      Accepting applications- 

      December 1, 2025 – February 1, 2026

      The Officer Application and instructions may be found here:

      STATE OFFICER APPLICATION GUIDE/INSTRUCTIONS

      STATE OFFICER APPLICATION 

       

        • The application should be completed and submitted electronically through the SC HOSA website ONLY.  
        • Faxed, mailed, or emailed information will NOT be accepted.
        • ADVISORS: Read the requirements carefully and recommend only qualified students.
        • Deadline for Officer application is 11:59 PM EST, February 1, 2026.  After this date, applications will NOT be accepted.
        • References must be submitted online through the following link: https://www.schosa.org/reference-letters/. It is the applicant’s responsibility to share this link with their references.

        • Officer candidate interviews will take place at the SC Department of Education on March 3, 2026. Officer candidates and advisors will be contacted regarding directions and interview times.
        • Questions regarding the Officer Application should be directed to Stacie Elwood, SC HOSA State Director, competitiveevents@schosa.org or Amanda Wilson, SC HOSA Director of Operations, schosa@outlook.com

      RECOGNITION Session & Awards Ceremony

      The Recognition Session and Awards Session will take place at 10:30 AM on Friday, March 13th, with no break in between the two sessions.

      • Invite family, friends, and other interested individuals to show support for your SC HOSA students
      • Attendance at the awards ceremony is free of charge.
      • HOSA members are required to wear conference t-shirts paired with black, blue, khaki slacks, or knee-length skirts (no jeans, no denim, no shorts & no capris), with comfortable closed-toed shoes (no flip flops or sandals) to the awards ceremony
      • A complete dress code can be found here, dress code

      SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

      Accepting applications- 

      December 1, 2025 – February 1, 2026

      Scholarship Application and instructions may be found here:

      SCHOLARSHIP Application PROCESS/INSTRUCTIONS

       SC HOSA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

      • The application should be completed and submitted electronically through the SC HOSA website only.
      • ADVISORS: Read the requirements carefully and recommend only qualified students.
      • Deadline for Officer application is 11:59 PM EST, February 1, 2026.  After this date, applications will NOT be accepted.
      • The deadline for submissions is February 1, 2026. After this date, scholarship applications will not be accepted.
      • References should be submitted online by using the following link: https://www.schosa.org/reference-letters/. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide the link to their references.
      • If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Wilson, SC HOSA Director of Operations,  schosa@outlook.com

       

      Conference On-Site Meetings

      All the following meetings will take place on Wednesday, March 11, 2026

      • Advisor’s meeting, 5:00 PM in Ballroom A
      • Category Chair meeting, 4:00 PM in meeting room 3
      • Event Personnel meeting, TBD PM in room TBD
      • Courtesy Corps meeting for students, 9:00 PM in Ballrooms B & C4

      State Officer- "Meet & Greet"

      This “Meet and Greet” event is designed for the voting delegates who wish to connect with and learn more about the 2026 – 2027 State Officer Candidates.

      The gathering will take place in the hallway near the stairs, just past Meeting Room 3 immediately following Opening Session.

      Required Conference Forms

      • All conference forms and upload details are available by clicking here
      • Everyone registered in the Conference Management System (CMS) for SLC must have both a  Medical form and Code of Conduct form uploaded by February 21, 2026.
        • Every signature is required on the form.

        • Please ensure that you do not leave any unanswered questions; if something does not apply, simply write N/A.
        • NO ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES WILL BE ACCEPTED.

      Registration Options/Activities

      All photos must be submitted by February 21 to be included in the Conference presentation.

      SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

      SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

      The Student Eligibility form MUST be completed and uploaded by  February 21, 2026.

      • Life Support Skills
      • Personal Care
      • Speaking Skills
      • Interviewing Skills

      STUDENT DIGITAL UPLOAD INFORMATION

      • Only one team member must upload their documents for their “Team”
      • In addition to uploading your required information, you are required to bring a hard copy of all forms to the conference if indicated in your event guidelines.  Please read and follow your SC HOSA event guidelines
      • We highly recommend uploading your documents well in advance to prevent any difficulties with the system. Please note that no uploads will be accepted after February 21.

      SC Competitive Events that require Digital Uploads

      The following competitive events require competitors to upload digital materials for the SC state conference by February  21, 2026. No exceptions!

        1. Clinical Specialty (Portfolio)
        2. Health Career Display (Outline/Guiding Plan)
        3. Health Career Photography (Portfolio)
        4. Health Education (Portfolio by one team member)
        5. HOSA Happenings (Upload newsletter)
        6. Interviewing Skills (Personal Statement, Resume, and completed Student Eligibility form)
        7. Job Seeking Skills (Personal Statement and Resume)
        8. Life Support Skills (completed Student Eligibility form)
        9. Medical Innovation (Outline and guiding plan)
        10. Mental Health Promotion (Reference pages, Completed Mental Health Consultation Form, and Digital File/Link to the Social Media Campaign by one team member)
        11. Personal Care (completed Student Eligibility form)
        12. Public Health (Video by one team member)
        13. Public Service Announcement (PSA Link, Airdate Form, Copyright Form, and Reference Pages by one team member)
        14. Researched Persuasive Writing and Speaking (Paper)
        15. Speaking Skills (completed Student Eligibility form)

      Your students must be registered for the conference before securing hotel rooms

      All HOSA Approved Hotels:

      • Hotel check-in for hotels is 4 PM, check-out is 11 AM (Luggage storage is available for Friday morning at each hotel) Do not expect to check in prior to 4 PM on the day of arrival. No sitting/lounging around in the hotel lobby prior to checking in.
        • Upon checking out, please make sure you check out with the hotel front desk or through the hotel app.
      • 10 PM Curfew each night will be enforced.
      • A credit card is required to be on file to guarantee the hotel reservations, as well as any incidentals charged to the hotel rooms or hotel damage.  Consider asking the hotel to turn off incidentals in your students’ rooms.
      • SC HOSA’s hotel process must be followed to ensure the chapter’s eligibility is not in jeopardy.
        • Email all rooming lists to the contact located on the first page of your rooming list form. Please copy Amanda Wilson, schosa@outlook.com on the email.
        • No faxed rooming list will be accepted at any of the hotels. You cannot call in to make reservations.
      • Provide daily hot breakfast, complimentary Wi-Fi & luggage storage on Friday Morning
      • All pricing listed is per room/per night with all taxes & fees included.
      • All hotels are within walking distance of the Convention Center
      • Most hotels offer a shuttle bus to the convention center without a chaperone on a space-available basis. Any other destinations within a 3 to 5-mile radius with a chaperone.  Check with your hotel for specific information.
      • If a pool is available at your hotel, a school advisor/chaperone MUST be at the pool supervising your students at ALL TIMES!
      • Additional Hotels will be added to the “Conference Verification” form as needed.  If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Wilson, schosa@outlook.com.
      • Scroll down for hotels, descriptions, and pricing. 

      IMPORTANT NOTICE:
      You will need to register for the conference before submitting the “conference verification form,” which enables you to request hotel accommodations for your chapter. However, registration fees are not due until March 3, 2026.

      Chapters not utilizing SC HOSA Approved Hotels May Jeopardize SLC Eligibility

      january

      REMINDERS

      fEBRUARY

      MARCH