REGISTRATION

1. Competitors must be active members in good standing within the local, state and national HOSA organizations. The PENN HOSA State Advisor will verify the competitive event participant’s eligibility to participate in the events at the State Leadership Conference (SLC).
2. Competitors shall be registered by the imposed deadline date as stated on the registration form. Competitors may be dropped and substitutes added as long as the process is completed by the imposed date stated on the conference registration form.  It is the responsibility of the local chapter advisor to send documentation that the add-on is a MEMBER OF PENN HOSA and HOSA.
3. PENN HOSA recognizes the official definitions for secondary, postsecondary/collegiate members of HOSA for the purposes of competitive events registration.
   1. Competitors may enter only one event.
   2. Each chapter may register one competitor or one team in each competitive event according to the event guidelines.
   3. Secondary, postsecondary/collegiate level competitors will be judged separately.
   4. In addition to the event in which the competitor is registered, he/she may also register to compete in any of the Recognition Events.
4. The State Leadership Conference (SLC), as circumstances dictate, will be conducted in a time frame allowing an interval of time to meet the International Leadership Conference (ILC) registration deadline date as announced by the State Advisor.
5. All attendees to the State Leadership Conference (SLC) MUST register at the designated hotel or the designated overflow hotel that would be utilized, if necessary, due to the number of registered attendees.

CELL PHONE AND SMART DEVICE POLICY

6. Competitors may not use cell phones or smart devices during PENN HOSA competition or in competitive event holding areas.
   1. Competitors may use cell phones or smart devices to access electronic event guidelines used during the event orientation.
   2. Cell phones and smart devices may be used during PENN HOSA competition if the event guidelines indicate they may be used for electronic notecards.
   3. Competitors will be asked to place their cell phones or smart devices in the off or silent position (or with the battery removed) in plain sight of the judges, during a written test, or secured with their personal belongings placed under their chair.
   4. The cell phone or smart device may not make any noise or vibrate during the event.
   5. The competitor may not touch the cell phone or device during the event.
   6. Violation of any part of the cell phone and smart device policy will result in the assessment of penalty points.
   7. Judge and event personnel cell phones and smart devices should be on vibrating mode during the competitive events.
   8. If the judge uses the cell phone or smart device as a timer he/she should inform the competitor when it is being used for this purpose.

COMPETITIVE EVENT INFORMATION

7. PENN HOSA, when conducting events that are included in the HOSA Events Program, will conduct the events according to the most current HOSA Competitive Event Guidelines. However, Round One in guidelines will NOT be a qualifier for Round Two.  All competitors/teams will advance to Round Two at PENN HOSA State Leadership Conference (SLC) with the exception of the Health Career Display event.  If any other exception has to be made, notification will be sent to all chapters in advance of the Conference and PENN HOSA revised guidelines will be made available.
8. A minimum of three (3) competitors or three (3) teams must be properly registered by the imposed deadline date in order for PENN HOSA to conduct a particular competitive event at the State Leadership Conference (SLC).  For skill events, if this minimum number of competitors has not registered by the imposed deadline date, those who have registered will be notified that the event will be a written test on Day 2 of the conference to replace the skills.  Consideration for exceptions shall be the decision of the PENN HOSA State Advisor and Co-Director of Competitive Events.
9. PENN HOSA SLC has only one (1) section for each competitive event; this differs from what is written in the HOSA Competitive Event Guidelines where multiple sections are required due to the large number of competitors registered to compete at the International Leadership Conference (ILC).

EVENT ORIENTATION

10. Failure to attend the event orientation will result in the loss of points. Registered competitors must attend the scheduled orientation at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) for the event(s) in which they are competing, or provide a proxy (advisor, member, chaperone) qualified to communicate to the competitor the information shared at this orientation.  At least one (1) team member must attend the orientation for team events.  When a team member is representing others on a team, he/she must bring a completed proxy form for each absent team member.
11. Event Guidelines
    1. Competitors may enter only one event.
    2. Event personnel refer to the event guidelines during the event orientation, and for that reason, competitors are required to bring a copy of the guidelines (at least one copy per team) to the event orientation.
       1. Failure to bring the guidelines to the event orientation will result in the assessment of penalty points.
       2. Event guidelines may be presented in printed format or electronic format.
12. Photo identification is required only at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) and must be in the form of a driver’s license, school identification badge, or any government issued photo.
    1. Failure to bring photo identification to the event orientation will result in the assessment of penalty points.
    2. Photo ID MUST be presented prior to event, including Round One online testing.
    3. Electronic format of identification is acceptable.
    4. Photo identification MUST be presented DURING time of orientation.
13. All competitors are identified by a competitor number that is assigned at the time of registration. All other     forms of identification such as name and/or school must be removed or completely covered during performance of skills.

PROXY

14. Registered competitors must attend the scheduled event orientation in which they are competing or provide acceptable adequate documentation of the reason for their absence and provide a substitute (advisor/member/chaperone) qualified to interpret to the competitor the directions/information shared at the event orientation.  Failure to do so may result in the competitor’s nonparticipation in the event.
    1. Acceptable excuses shall include illness verified by physician, employment commitment verified by employer, or school, state, or national examination schedules verified by school administrator.The PENN HOSA State Advisor shall make the final decision regarding the appropriateness of the excuse.
    2. Acceptable documentation of the excuse on the PENN HOSA PROXY form shall include information that is to be signed by the competitor, chapter advisor, PENN HOSA State Advisor, school administrator, parent/guardian, and physician (if applicable).

COMPETITIVE EVENT DAY

15. Event guidelines are not required to be shown on the competitive event day.
16. Photo identification is required only at the State Leadership Conference (SLC) and must be in the form of a driver’s license, school identification badge, or any government issued photo.
    1. Failure to bring the photo identification to the event will result in the assessment of penalty points.
    2. Electronic format of identification is acceptable.
17. Dress Code
    1. Competitors MUST adhere to the dress code as specified in the competitive event guidelines for the event in which they are competing. The advisor should review this with the competitor to ensure that he/she understands the required dress code.
    2. PENN HOSA’s SLC Dress Code states that Official HOSA uniform, black suit or navy blue suit is required at all General Sessions, Delegate Business Sessions, meal functions and all competitive events except skill events when competitors will wear attire appropriate to the occupational area during the skill(s). At PENN HOSA SLC this means that “Business Attire” will not be worn by a competitor during competition.
    3. For all competitive events, five (5) bonus points will be added once per competitor or team for appropriate dress.  In team events, all team members must be properly dressed to receive the bonus points.  Exceptions are as noted in the event guidelines.  Bonus points will be awarded for proper competitive event attire on Day 2 of the conference when the actual event is held.
18. Competitors must report to their competitive event at the designated time and place. The competitor’s failure to report to the competition area within five (5) minutes of the appointed time may result in the assessment of penalty points.  For possible special circumstances, prior arrangements must be made by the local chapter advisor through the PENN HOSA State Advisor.
19. Study materials are permitted in HOSA event holding areas, but may not be used during competition.
20. If the competitor does not bring the required materials/equipment as specified in the competitive event guidelines, rating sheet points will be assessed accordingly by the judges.
21. Competitors must refer to cell phone and smart device policy regarding use of these items.
22. Except for team events, competitors must work independently before, during and after the competitive event, without any assistance from judges, advisors, members, chaperones, family members or observers.
23. Competitors participating in competitive events will be judged according to the rating sheet and individual guidelines for the event in which they are competing as well as these General Rules and Regulations.  The decision of the judges will be final.  Classroom teachers should use rating sheets as a part of a learning process for members.  These rating sheets are included in the HOSA Handbook Section B which includes competitive event guidelines and rating sheets for each event.
24. All events will be stopped at the end of the time limit as listed in each competitive event guideline whether or not the competitor has completed the skill demonstration, speech, etc.
25. Appointment times are used in many competitive events to ensure that the event finishes in the allotted timeframe.  Professional ethics demand that competitors DO NOT discuss or reveal the secret topic or scenario for ANY event until after the event has concluded.
26. Competitive event rating sheets and test scores will NOT be returned. Advisors will receive notification of competitor event ranking following the conclusion of SLC.

HEALTH PROFESSIONS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS EVENTS

27. The PENN HOSA State Advisor, in cooperation with the Competitive Events Leadership Committee (CELC), will determine the procedures that are to be performed for skill events based upon criteria which include space arrangements, condition of available sites, availability of equipment, and similar factors pertaining to the operation of these events in a particular year.
28. If a competitor jeopardizes the victim’s/patient’s safety or his/her own safety or fails to perform a critical technique and does not take immediate action to rectify the error, the total points for the skill or specific subpart(s) of the skill will be deducted and the competitor may be told by the judge to conclude that particular skill.
29. Skill demonstrations will be stopped at the end of the time limit whether or not the competitor has completed the skill.
30. All competitors in any event who may come in contact with simulated body fluids must wear gloves, mask, and other barrier devices as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Each competitor is responsible for providing his/her own barrier devices for the event in which he/she is registered.

WRITTEN TESTS

31. The competitor is responsible to bring sharpened #2 pencils to the event. Mechanical pencils are discouraged for use on Scantrons.
32. A late competitor will be allowed to take the test. The competitor will not be given test directions and will stop when all other test-takers are stopped.  Penalty points will be assessed if the competitor arrives late for the event.
33. Competitors will be asked to place cell phones and smart devices on the table in the off position (or with the battery removed) and turned face-down in plain sight of the judges during the event.  If the cell phone or smart device makes any noise or vibrates during the event, penalty points will be assessed.

EQUIPMENT

34. FAILURE TO BRING EQUIPMENT – Competitors who fail to bring the required material/equipment as specified in the Competitive Events guidelines for any skill/procedure used in any event will be allowed to compete but will not earn points for all or part of the procedure(s) that require the missing material/equipment.
35. EQUIPMENT FAILURE – It is the competitor’s responsibility to assure that the equipment they bring to the event and use as a part of the event is in good working order.  Equipment failure (when the equipment provided by the competitor) may result in an inability to judge all or part of an event that involves the use of equipment.  This includes battery-operated laptops.
36. PODIUM – When a podium is provided during an event, the use of the podium by the competitor(s) is optional.

OBSERVERS

37. Observers are permitted in selected competitive events as listed in the State Leadership Conference (SLC) Program Book.
38. Observers shall not talk or be disruptive to the judges, competitors, and those conducting the event.
39. Observers may not talk or gesture to competitors.
40. Judges may deem a competitor ineligible to complete the competition if he/she accepts assistance from observers.
41. The number of observers will be limited based on space available.
42. Use of cameras, recording devises and note taking will not be permitted in any competitive event. 

INQUIRY

43. An inquiry is a process providing an opportunity for a competitor to submit constructive inquiries and suggestions via completion of the “Competitive Event Inquiry Procedure”.  The inquiry system is a method of helping the Competitive Events Leadership Committee (CELC) continuously improve the events.
44. The completed inquiry form must be signed by the competitor and his/her advisor and taken to conference Headquarters within two (2) hours after the conclusion of the event.
45. The inquiry process will NOT reverse any decision made by the judges, but allows the Competitive Events  Leadership Committee (CELC) to examine what happened in an event from the perspective of a competitor, review how the event ran, and fix that which can be corrected.

GRAND AWARDS SESSION

46. The approved process for determining finalists in competitive events will be the responsibility of the Tabulations Committee.  Individuals assigned to the Tabulations Committee have no direct interaction with the competitors.
47. Medals and/or trophies will be presented to the top three (3) qualifying finalists in each competitive event for secondary and postsecondary/collegiate levels. Do not assume that events with three (3) or less competitors or teams will be awarded automatically a 1st, 2nd or 3rd place.
48. If the tabulated results determine that no competitor performed at mastery level for first, second, or third place, no medals or trophies will be awarded in that event.
49. Only award recipients adhering to the PENN HOSA State Leadership Conference (SLC) Dress Code for General Sessions will be permitted on stage to receive their medal or trophy.  It is the responsibility of the local chapter advisor to review this Dress Code with the competitors and make them aware of the consequence for          non-compliance.  Should this occur, the recipient will receive his/her medal and/or trophy at the base of the stage stairs.
50. Competitors who place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in an event are eligible to compete in the same competitive event at the HOSA International Leadership Conference (ILC).
51. For teams advancing to international competition, at least 25% of the registered members of a team must be competitors who were members of the winning team at the state level.  Other “qualified” HOSA members of the same division (secondary, postsecondary/collegiate) may be substituted in the remaining team positions so that the number of team members is consistent with the rules for that event.  “Qualified” is defined as any active HOSA member, and may include members from other chapters within the school.  Substitutes or additions on a team are not required to have competed in the event at the state level.

CHANGING EVENT CONTENT

52. When advancing from one level of competition to the next (such as from state to international competitive events), except where expressly prohibited, competitors are allowed to change/improve their speech, notebook, reflection book, portfolio, or any other event content as a part of the competitive event.

ETHICS

53. Appointment times are given to competitors in many of the HOSA events to avoid detaining them in holding rooms for long periods of time.  Professional ethics demand that competitors DO NOT discuss or reveal the secret topic or scenario for ANY event until after the event has concluded.
54. ETHICS AND INTEGRITY – As future health professionals, HOSA members are held to a higher standard in regard to their ethical behavior as competitors.  HOSA members should follow the HOSA rules and act with honor at all times. Plagiarism, copyright violation and falsification of information are prohibited.  Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage will not be tolerated. Violation of the ethics rules will be severely penalized.
55. CODE OF CONDUCT – Any competitor who violates the PENN HOSA Code of Conduct during the course of the State Leadership Conference (SLC) may forfeit any award won during the conference.