OFFICIAL RULES
The Cal-HOSA State Design Contest is open to all current affiliated student members of the state association. The 2026-27 State Design Contest includes a California design for both the State Pin and T-shirt.
The top 3 designs will receive recognition at the 2027 Cal-HOSA State Leadership Conference, with the top design made into the state pin and t-shirt.
All entries must be submitted to Cal-HOSA, as noted in the rules below. Once submitted, all entries become the property of Cal-HOSA. Only one entry per Cal-HOSA member is permitted.
ELIGIBILITY
This competition is open to all registered Cal-HOSA student members that are in good-standing and enrolled in a career and technical education program at a middle school, high school, or college/postsecondary institution with an active Cal-HOSA chapter. The Cal-HOSA staff will verify membership for the 2026-27 school year.
ENTRY DEADLINE
All Cal-HOSA State Design entries must be uploaded on or before 6pm, November 18, 2026. Do not mail in your submissions. Late or mailed submissions will not be accepted and automatically disqualified. If the entry is being sent as a Google document, be sure that permissions are set up so that the document can be opened. If the document cannot be opened, it will be an automatic disqualification.
JUDGING
The contest judging consists of the following:
- Headquarters will review all State Design entries to ensure guideline alignment and compliance. Non-compliant entries will be disqualified.
- State Officers will review eligible state design entries and vote on their top choices.
The 2026-27 State Design winners will be announced during the opening ceremony of the 2027 Cal-HOSA State Leadership Conference.
STATE DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS:
All entries for this competition must comply with the following materials and specifications or they will be disqualified:
- All entries must fit within the box provided below.
- All entries must be rendered with a maximum of 3 colors in addition to white
- Cal-HOSA 2026-27 must be reflected in the design.
- The whole Cal-HOSA Emblem CANNOT be used in the design.
- Artwork can be submitted as a digital PDF, JPG, PNG, or TIFF or hand drawn. The original design files must be made available to Cal-HOSA upon request.
- If the entry is digital, it should be at 300 dpi.
- FOR PIN DESIGNS: The final pin will be no larger than 1” wide by 1 1/8” long. Please consider the reduction and size. Very small or intricate details in your design might not be seen in the finished product.
- All entries must include the following:
- The design year 2027 or 2026-2027, 26’ – 27’
- The words “Cal-HOSA” or “California HOSA”. Do not make Cal-HOSA two words or separate Cal-HOSA by a hyphen or other means.
- Cal-HOSA must appear as one word on a single line
- The design must include a California theme
- Do not use the entire or part of the Cal-HOSA logo in your design.
- The shape of the state of California may be included in the design
- The design is contained in the box provided below 12″ * 10″ Box
- All copyright laws must be followed when creating the design.
- Entries received after the deadline will not be considered. Entries must be received online, on or before November 18, 2026, by 6pm. Online submissions only.
- Entries must comply with the above requirements, or they will be disqualified before voting.
- Cal-HOSA retains the right to modify the final design to produce a pin that meets our standards and the production company’s specifications and abilities.
- No individual or chapter may duplicate or use a prior State Design entry for other purposes (contest entry, personal pin/shirt for sale or trade, etc.) without the written consent of Cal-HOSA.
- Cal-HOSA will not return any design materials.
- The following information MUST be completed on the entry form (If not, the entry will be disqualified.)
- Student name, address, phone number, and email
- Advisors’ name, phone number & email
- Name of Cal-HOSA Chapter
- Identify what media was used to develop the State Design entry
COMMON REASONS FOR DISQUALIFICATIONS:
- Misspelled words
- Improper use of Cal-HOSA brand
- Missing year
- Missing reference to California
- Inappropriate content
- Too many colors or full-color T-shirt or pin design
- Not an affiliated member of Cal-HOSA by the November 18th deadline November membership registration deadline
