HOSA, officially known as HOSA-Future Health Professionals, is a national student organization for middle school and high school students interested in healthcare careers. It operates as a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO), meaning it connects directly to health science courses taught in schools. Members build skills through competitive events, leadership training, and hands-on health science activities, all designed to prepare them for college programs and careers in medicine, nursing, public health, and dozens of other health fields.
What HOSA Members Actually Do
HOSA’s core activity is its competitive events program, which covers a remarkably wide range of health topics. Students choose events that match their interests and compete at the local, state, and international level. The organization groups these events into several categories: Health Science, Health Professions, Emergency Preparedness, Leadership, Teamwork, and Recognition.
Health Science events test knowledge in areas like pharmacology, pathophysiology, medical terminology, nutrition, medical law and ethics, and health informatics. These are primarily knowledge-based competitions where students study specific healthcare subjects and demonstrate mastery through written tests or practical scenarios.
Health Professions events are more hands-on. Students demonstrate clinical skills in areas like nursing assisting, phlebotomy (drawing blood), physical therapy, dental science, veterinary science, sports medicine, and surgical technology. These events simulate real healthcare tasks and are judged on technique and accuracy.
Emergency Preparedness events cover CPR and first aid, emergency medical technician skills, epidemiology, public health, and community emergency response (CERT) skills. Leadership events focus on communication and professional development, including prepared speaking, persuasive writing, interviewing skills, and job seeking skills. Teamwork events bring groups of students together for challenges like biomedical debate, forensic science, medical innovation, and parliamentary procedure.
Beyond competitions, HOSA chapters run community service projects, blood drives (often partnered with the American Red Cross and America’s Blood Centers), and health education campaigns. The Barbara James Service Award recognizes students who accumulate significant volunteer hours in health-related service.
The Competition Path
Students typically start by competing at the chapter or regional level within their state. Winners advance to the state leadership conference, and top finishers there qualify for the International Leadership Conference (ILC), which is the organization’s flagship annual event. The 2026 ILC is scheduled for June 17 through 20 at the Indianapolis Convention Center.
The ILC is more than just a competition finals. It includes educational seminars and workshops led by healthcare professionals, exhibits from partner organizations, general sessions with recognition ceremonies, and the chance to meet students from across the country and internationally who share similar career goals. Voting delegates also conduct the organization’s annual business during the conference.
How to Join
You cannot join HOSA as an individual. Membership works through school chapters, so the first step is finding out whether your high school already has one. If it does, contact the chapter advisor (usually the health science teacher) for details on joining and paying dues.
If your school has a health science program but no HOSA chapter, you can talk to the instructor about starting one. HOSA provides affiliation packets with step-by-step instructions for teachers who want to launch a chapter. Many instructors are open to the idea when students take the initiative.
Students who are not enrolled in a health science course can still participate by joining as associate members, though the specifics of associate membership vary by chapter and state. Membership dues are set at the state level, so the cost differs depending on where you live. Your chapter advisor will have the exact amount.
Scholarships and College Connections
HOSA partners with colleges and universities to offer scholarship opportunities and pre-college programs for members. Partner institutions include Georgetown University and Harvard Medical School, which offer pre-college courses connected to HOSA. Additional partner scholarships are available through the organization, though specific awards and amounts vary by year.
Participation in HOSA also strengthens college applications in a practical way. Admissions officers at health science programs recognize HOSA involvement as evidence of serious interest in healthcare. Competitive event results, leadership roles within a chapter (such as president or state officer), and documented service hours all provide concrete material for applications and interviews.
Who Benefits Most From HOSA
HOSA is a strong fit if you are already considering a career in healthcare, whether that means becoming a physician, nurse, pharmacist, physical therapist, public health professional, veterinarian, or medical technician. The competitive events let you explore specific fields before committing to a college major, which is valuable when the health professions are so varied.
Students who are unsure about healthcare but curious will also find it useful. Competing in events like health career exploration, nutrition, or behavioral health gives you a low-stakes way to test your interest. And the leadership and communication events (speaking, writing, interviewing) build skills that transfer to any career path, so the experience is not wasted if you end up choosing a different direction.