State Leadership Conference
The last two rounds of the season. Two rounds, one at your school and one in Springfield, and the only path to the International Leadership Conference.
Where
BOS Center, Springfield
Round 1
Your own school
Advance
Top 3 to the ILC
SLC dates are the 2026 season window.
The Structure
Three rounds. SLC is the last two.
Illinois HOSA competition runs in three stages. Each one happens somewhere different, and each is judged against a different rule book.
Stage one
Preliminary Round
At your chapter
Qualifying round, held online at your own school, in the first week of December.
December
Stage two
Round 1
At your school
The second online testing round, plus digital uploads. This round determines who competes in Round 2.
February
Proctored by your advisor
Stage three
Round 2
In Springfield
Final round: live presentations and skills events. This is the conference itself.
March
Two days at the BOS Center
The rule that catches people: Illinois HOSA scoring
Illinois guidelines apply to the Preliminary Round only. From Round 1 onward you follow National HOSA guidelines. They are different documents. Confirm which one applies before you prepare, every year.
Round One
Round 1 happens at your school
Round 1 has two parts. Depending on your event, you may need one or both.
Part one
Proctored testing
Testing is online and proctored, taken from your chapter. Login credentials arrive by email from the National HOSA testing system.
Credentials come from
onlinetesting@apps.hosa.org
Check your spam and junk folders before the window opens. Your advisor can request the chapter's credential list.
Part two
Round 1 digital uploads
Projects and portfolios are submitted through the HOSA Competitive Event Digital Upload system. Submissions are graded before Round 2.
For team events, one member uploads for the whole team.
Which events require an upload
Check your event guidelines each season, because this list changes, and the format matters as much as the deadline.
Clinical Specialty
Portfolio PDF
Community Awareness
Portfolio PDF
Forensic Medicine Field Case
Written case, PDF
Health Career Display
Display photo, PDF summary
Health Career Photography
Photo set, PDF summary
Health Education
Portfolio PDF
Interviewing Skills
Résumé, cover letter, application, PDF
Job Seeking Skills
Résumé, cover letter, PDF
Medical Innovation
Written report, PDF
MRC Partnership
Portfolio PDF
One exception
Health Career Display submits photographs of the finished display, not the display itself.
Due at the same time
Uploads close on the same date as Round 1 testing. A missed upload is a missed round.
Round Two
Round 2 is in Springfield
Three days of final testing, live presentations, and skills events. This is the conference.
BOS Center
1 Convention Center Plaza, Springfield, IL 62701
Everyone who qualified
competes in Round 2
Top 10
recognised on stage
Top 3
advance to the International Leadership Conference
Conference schedule
The Round 2 schedule is released when registration closes. Build in travel time.
Educational symposiums
Sessions run alongside competition. Members who are not competing still attend.
You do not register yourself for Round 2; your chapter does. Confirm with your advisor before the deadline.
Dates
Dates and deadlines
Every SLC date moves each season. One does not.
Every year
February 1
SLC registration closes
Advisors register the chapter through the National HOSA portal.
State Officer applications due
Applications and letters of endorsement go to the state office.
IL HOSA Scholarship applications due
Read the requirements before starting, because they take references.
2025–2026 season
Preliminary Round
December
Round 1 testing and uploads
February
Round 2 in Springfield
March
Exact dates are confirmed by the state office each season. Advisors receive the calendar.
$100
Competitor registration, per member
$75
Observer and guest registration
Chapter checks and registration forms are mailed to:
Illinois HOSA · PO Box 46018 · Chicago, IL 60646
Before You Go
Before you go
Two checklists. One for competitors, one for advisors.
Students
Required for entry
Code of Conduct & Medical Liability Release
Review and sign with a parent or guardian before you travel. Signatures are due to your advisor, not the state office.
Run for State Office
State officers are elected by Illinois HOSA members at the conference. Applications and endorsements are due February 1.
Everything about serving on the state officer team →
IL HOSA Scholarship
For seniors continuing their education in a health science field. Applications are due February 1 and reviewed by the state office.
Completed applications are returned to Illinois HOSA.
Pins, designs, and art
Creative and submission deadlines for the pin design and t-shirt design contests run earlier than the conference.
Advisors
Conference checklist
The full advisor checklist covers forms, rooming, and every deadline in order.
Register your chapter
Advisors register the chapter through the National HOSA portal. Registration closes February 1, and the state office cannot reopen it.
Voting delegates
Every chapter sends voting delegates to the general session. The number is set by chapter size.
1–25 members
1 delegate
26–100 members
2 delegates
101–250 members
3 delegates
251–500 members
4 delegates
Chapters above 500 members should contact Illinois HOSA.
Accommodations
Students with an IEP or 504 plan can request testing accommodations for every round. Requests come through the advisor.
This Season's Conference
SLC 2026
March 18–20, 2026 · BOS Center, Springfield
Keynote
Brittany Richmond, MS
Student speaker and advocate
Brittany opens the conference with a session on resilience and finding your place in health care, the same room where the top three in every event are named.
2026 Conference Sponsor
Partner logo placement
U.S. Army ROTC
Army ROTC sponsors the 2026 conference and exhibits on site. Members can talk with officers about ROTC scholarships and the health professions path they open.
Rounds
Round 2 is the only round held at the conference. Round 1 is completed at your school.
The top three in every event now represent Illinois at the International Leadership Conference.