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Alaska HOSA

Membership & Competitions

Division Eligibility

Official definitions, division classifications, and competitive event rules for all Alaska HOSA members across middle school, secondary, postsecondary, and alumni levels.

GRADES 6–8

Middle School

Foundational healthcare exploration, teamwork, and introductory competitive events for middle school students.

GRADES 9–12

Secondary

Our largest division empowering high school students with 80+ clinical, emergency, leadership, and health science events.

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY

Postsecondary / Collegiate

Higher education and vocational healthcare students advancing clinical mastery and professional leadership.

Division 01High School

Secondary Division

The Secondary Division is composed of secondary students who are or have been enrolled in a Health Science or an organized health career awareness program, or who are interested in, planning to pursue, or pursuing a career in the health professions.

Official Definition for Competitive Events:

A secondary student is one who:

  • a)Is enrolled in a state-approved Health Science program or is planning to pursue a career in the health professions;
  • b)Has not received a high school diploma (or its equivalent) prior to the state's annual conference; or
  • c)Has been within the continuous, sequential educational system for two or more years prior to the current year's HOSA National/International Leadership Conference.
Division 02Grades 6–8

Middle School Division

The Middle School Division is composed of middle school students in grades 6 through 8 who are interested in or planning to pursue a career in the health professions.

Official Definition for Competitive Events:

A middle school student is one who:

  • a)Is enrolled in a state-approved health science program or is planning to pursue a career in the health professions; and
  • b)Has not been promoted to a secondary institution (grades 9–12) prior to the state's annual conference.
Division 03Higher Education & Vocational

Postsecondary / Collegiate Division

The Postsecondary/Collegiate Division is composed of students enrolled in Health Science programs at the postsecondary/collegiate level as specified in Article III, Section 4 of the HOSA Bylaws.

Official Definition for Competitive Events:

A postsecondary student is one who:

  • a)Is enrolled in a state-approved postsecondary program or college-level healthcare program;
  • b)Has received a high-school diploma (or its equivalent) and/or has been out of the continuous, sequential educational system prior to the current Health Science enrollment for two or more years prior to the current year's conference.

Collegiate Definition: A collegiate student is one who is seeking a baccalaureate degree.

Adult Secondary Note: Even though adult students may be enrolled in a secondary program, they may not compete in secondary competition at the HOSA National/International Leadership Conference. When students satisfy one or more of the criteria of being postsecondary/collegiate students, they are classified in the Postsecondary/Collegiate Division.

Division 04Graduates

Alumni Division

Composed of former HOSA members who have graduated from high school or completed their postsecondary program. Lifetime Alumni Membership is 100% free and provides networking, mentoring, and judging opportunities.

Learn About Alumni Membership →
Division 05Advisors & Partners

Professional Division

Composed of health science instructors, chapter advisors, healthcare professionals, and industry partners who assist in the development of Alaska's future health workforce.

Advisor Resources & Toolkit →

Have questions about your chapter's eligibility?

Contact the Alaska HOSA State Office for assistance with member classification and competitive event registration guidelines.

Contact State OfficeExplore Competitive Events