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Competition Categories and Descriptions

Each listing includes whether the contest is individual or team-based, along with the maximum number of entries allowed per college. Availability may vary based on participation. 

Descriptions below are general summaries intended to help students, advisors, and institutions understand each competition. For official rules and requirements, refer to the SkillsUSA Technical Standards.

Leadership Competitions

  • Action Skills — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates personal, workplace, and independent living skills.
  • American Spirit — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Recognizes patriotism and citizenship.
  • Chapter Business Procedure — Team of 6 — 3 teams per college
    Tests parliamentary procedure.
  • Chapter Display — Team of 3 — 1 team per college
    Showcases chapter activities.
  • Community Action Project — Team of 2 — 3 teams per college
    Focuses on community impact projects. Requires a letter from an appropriate school official on school letterhead stating that the competitor is classified under the provisions of Public Law 105-17, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1997, is required for participation.
  • Community Service — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Highlights service initiatives.
  • Employment Application Process — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Evaluates job readiness skills. Requires a letter from an appropriate school official on school letterhead stating that the competitor is classified under the provisions of Public Law 105-17, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1997, is required for participation.
  • Extemporaneous Speaking — Individual — 2 individuals per college
    Tests impromptu speaking.
  • Job Interview — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Demonstrates interview skills.
  • Job Skill Demonstration A — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Demonstrates a technical skill.
  • Job Skill Demonstration Open — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Open skill demonstration.
  • Occupational Health and Safety (Multiple) — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Focuses on workplace safety.
  • Occupational Health and Safety (Single) — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Individual safety knowledge.
  • Opening and Closing Ceremonies — Team of 7 — 1 team per college
    Demonstrates official ceremonies.
  • Outstanding Chapter — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Recognizes chapter excellence.
  • Pin Design — Individual — Open entry
    Designs official conference pin.
  • Prepared Speech — Individual — 2 individuals per college
    Delivers a prepared speech.
  • Promotional Bulletin Board — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Creates promotional display.
  • Quiz Bowl — Team of 5–7 — 1 team per college
    Academic team competition.
  • T-Shirt Design — Individual — Open entry
    Designs a themed t-shirt.

Occupationally Related Competitions

  • Career Pathways Showcase: Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Project-based presentation in agriculture pathway.
  • Career Pathways Showcase: Arts and Communication — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Focuses on communication and media skills.
  • Career Pathways Showcase: Business Management and Technology — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Business and technology presentation.
  • Career Pathways Showcase: Health Services — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Healthcare-focused presentation.
  • Career Pathways Showcase: Human Services — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Focuses on community and service careers.
  • Career Pathways Showcase: Industrial Engineering Technology — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Engineering and technical presentation.
  • Customer Service — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Customer interaction and problem-solving.
  • Engineering Technology – Design — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Engineering problem-solving challenge.
  • Entrepreneurship — Team of 4 — 3 teams per college
    Business planning and innovation.
  • Facilithon – Leadership in Facility Management — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Facility operations and management.
  • First Aid/CPR — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Emergency response skills.
  • Health Knowledge Bowl — Team of 4 — 2 teams per college
    Healthcare quiz competition.
  • Health Occupations Professional Portfolio — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Professional portfolio presentation.
  • Medical Math — Individual — Test Only
    Healthcare math skills.
  • Medical Terminology — Individual — Test Only
    Medical vocabulary knowledge.
  • Principles of Engineering/Technology — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Engineering fundamentals.
  • Related Technical Math — Individual — Test Only
    Applied technical math skills.

Skilled & Technical Competitions

  • 3D Visualization and Animation — Team of 2 — 3 teams per college
    Focuses on creating 3D digital models and animations for visual communication.
  • Additive Manufacturing — Team of 2 — 3 teams per college
    Tests design, production, and problem-solving using additive manufacturing processes.
  • Advertising Design — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates visual communication and promotional design skills.
  • Architectural Drafting — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Focuses on technical drawing, drafting standards, and design layout.
  • Audio Production — Team of 2 — 3 teams per college
    Evaluates audio recording, editing, and production skills.
  • Automated Manufacturing Technology — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Combines automation, robotics, and manufacturing processes in a team environment.
  • Automotive Refinishing Technology — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests surface preparation, painting, and refinishing techniques.
  • Automotive Service Technology — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Evaluates vehicle diagnostics, repair, and maintenance skills.
  • Aviation Maintenance Technology — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Focuses on aircraft inspection, maintenance, and repair knowledge.
  • Baking and Pastry Arts — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates baking techniques, pastry creation, and presentation.
  • Barbering — Individual — 2 individuals per college
    Evaluates haircutting, styling, and grooming techniques.
  • Building Maintenance — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests skills in general building repair and maintenance tasks. Requires a letter from an appropriate school official on school letterhead stating that the competitor is classified under the provisions of Public Law 105-17, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 1997, is required for participation.
  • Cabinetmaking — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Focuses on woodworking, construction, and finishing techniques.
  • Carpentry — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Evaluates construction skills including framing and layout.
  • CNC 2-Axis Turning Programmer — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests programming skills for CNC turning operations.
  • CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Focuses on programming CNC milling machines.
  • CNC 5-Axis Milling Programmer — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Advanced CNC programming for complex machining operations.
  • Collision Damage Appraisal — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Evaluates vehicle damage assessment and repair cost estimation.
  • Collision Repair Technology — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests auto body repair and refinishing techniques.
  • Commercial Roofing — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates roofing installation, repair, and safety practices.
  • Commercial sUAS Drone — Team of 2 — 3 teams per college
    Focuses on drone operation, safety, and mission planning.
  • Computer Programming — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Evaluates coding, logic, and software development skills.
  • Cosmetology — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Tests hair, skin, and nail care techniques.
  • Crime Scene Investigation — Team of 3 — 3 teams per college
    Simulates forensic investigation and evidence analysis.
  • Criminal Justice — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Evaluates knowledge of law enforcement procedures and practices.
  • Culinary Arts — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates food preparation, cooking, and presentation skills.
  • Cybersecurity — Team of 2 — 2 teams per college
    Focuses on protecting systems, networks, and data from threats.
  • Dental Assisting — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests clinical and administrative dental assisting skills.
  • Diesel Equipment Technology — Individual — 2 individuals per college
    Evaluates diesel engine diagnostics and repair.
  • Digital Cinema Production — Team of 2 — 3 teams per college
    Focuses on video production, editing, and storytelling.
  • Early Childhood Education — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates teaching and classroom management skills.
  • Electrical Construction Wiring — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Tests electrical installation and wiring skills.
  • Electronics Technology — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Evaluates circuit design, troubleshooting, and electronics knowledge.
  • Emergency Medical Technician — Team of 2 — 2 teams per college
    Tests emergency response and patient care skills.
  • Esthetics — Individual — 2 individuals per college
    Focuses on skincare treatments and techniques.
  • Firefighting — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Evaluates firefighting techniques and safety procedures.
  • Graphic Communications — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Focuses on printing, layout, and production processes.
  • Graphic Imaging – Sublimation — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests printing and imaging techniques using sublimation processes.
  • Heavy Equipment Operation — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates operation of heavy machinery.
  • HVAC/R — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Focuses on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
  • Industrial Motor Control — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests electrical control systems and motor operation.
  • Information Technology Services — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Evaluates IT troubleshooting and support skills.
  • Interactive Application and Video Game Development — Team of 2 — 3 teams per college
    Focuses on game design and application development.
  • Internet of Things (IoT) Smart Home — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates smart device integration and automation.
  • Internetworking — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Evaluates network design and troubleshooting.
  • Marine Service Technology — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Focuses on boat maintenance and repair.
  • Masonry — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates bricklaying and stonework techniques.
  • Mechatronics — Team of 2 — 1 team per college
    Combines mechanical, electrical, and computer systems.
  • Medical Assisting — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests clinical and administrative healthcare skills.
  • Mobile Electronics Installation — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Focuses on the installation of electronic systems in vehicles.
  • Mobile Robotics Technology — Team of 2 — 2 teams per college
    Demonstrates robotics programming and operation.
  • Motorcycle Service Technology — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests motorcycle maintenance and repair skills.
  • Nail Care — Individual — 2 individuals per college
    Evaluates manicure and nail care techniques.
  • Nurse Assisting — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates patient care and clinical support skills.
  • Photography — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Focuses on composition, lighting, and image editing.
  • Plumbing — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests plumbing system installations and repairs.
  • Power Equipment Technology — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Evaluates maintenance and repair of small engines.
  • Practical Nursing — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates nursing knowledge and patient care skills.
  • Restaurant Service — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Focuses on customer service and dining operations.
  • Robotics and Automation Technology — Team of 2 — 2 teams per college
    Tests automation and robotics system integration.
  • Robotics – Urban Search and Rescue — Team of 2 — 2 teams per college
    Simulates rescue missions using robotics systems.
  • Sheet Metal — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Demonstrates fabrication and installation of sheet metal systems.
  • TeamWorks — Team of 4 — 1 team per college
    Applies construction skills through a team project.
  • Technical Computer Applications — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Tests advanced computer and software application skills.
  • Technical Drafting — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Focuses on precision drafting and design techniques.
  • Telecommunications Cabling — Individual — 3 individuals per college
    Evaluates installation of communication systems.
  • Video Production — Team of 2 — 2 teams per college
    Focuses on video filming, editing, and storytelling.
  • Video News Production — Team of 4 — 2 teams per college
    Simulates real-world news production and reporting.
  • Web Design and Development — Team of 2 — 2 teams per college
    Tests website design, coding, and user experience.
  • Welding Fabrication — Team of 3 — 1 team per college
    Focuses on fabrication and assembly of welded structures.
  • Welding Sculpture — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Combines welding skills with artistic design.
  • Welding — Individual — 1 individual per college
    Demonstrates welding techniques and safety practices.