Contest Overview
Resources
The SkillsUSA Championships brings together industry and labor representatives, educators, and the public to watch students compete in leadership and hands-on skill events for a full day. The SkillsUSA Championships begin at the local level with contests in classrooms nationwide. Winners advance through district and state competition, and the best of the best make it to the national event. Students benefit no matter how they place in their contests. They test their skills, frequently make job contacts, and have a chance for recognition. District, state, and national winners receive gold, silver, and bronze medallions, scholarships, tools, and other awards
The official regulations for the national events are published in the SkillsUSA Championships Technical Standards free to download to anyone joined as a Professional member. Texas Regulations, free to download; includes the guidelines Texas Only competitions.
SkillsUSA Texas offers competitions in the following categories: Job Exhibits, Skilled and Technical, Leadership Development, Occupationally Related, Technical Information Assessments (State Conference Only), Middle School and Texas Only.
The National Career Clusters® Framework provides a vital structure for organizing and delivering quality career and technical education (CTE) programs through learning and comprehensive programs of study. In total, there are 16 Career Clusters in the National Career Clusters Framework, representing more than 79 Career Pathways to help students navigate their way to greater success in college and career. The current SkillsUSA Championships national career competitions are listed under each Cluster heading. In addition to the 16 Career Clusters established for CTE training programs, SkillsUSA has established an additional Leadership Competition Cluster where related skills are demonstrated in a competitive setting. These 24 leadership competitions are open solely to SkillsUSA members, regardless of their training program area. Therefore, these leadership competitions are not listed in any of the national Career Cluster frameworks associated with a comprehensive program area of study.
2025-2026 Contest Season Updates
Additional competition options found in the Texas Regulations for contests that are eligible at district and state only.
National competitions offered at the district and state level: verify supplies or equipment the contestant should provide before attending the event.
Contestant Portal/Professional Development Test: Contestants will receive an email to log into a portal after registration closes. The students will take a professional development test covering SkillsUSA information. PD test must be proctored by an adult but can be done in any location. All national middle school, high school and college/postsecondary competitors are required to complete the SkillsUSA Professional Development Test. Resumes are required for all contests and contestants and should be turned into the tech chair at contest orientation.
Themes: The topic to be addressed by contestants in the 2025-2026 SkillsUSA Chapter Display, Prepared Speech and Promotional Bulletin Board competitions is our theme, “Champion Your Future.”
Texas Only Contest Themes: 3-D Nail Art, Nail Art, and Commercial Baking Job Exhibits theme “Cosmic Horizons.”
Esthetics 2026 Theme: Available Nov. 2025
Barbering Theme for 2026: for the 2026 Creative Freestyle Design is Space.
The new contest Hair Weaving does NOT have a theme.
Commercial Baking and Wedding Cake Competitions (not job exhibits) do not have a theme.
3D Nail Art and Nail Art Competitions and Job Exhibits do have a theme.
Demo Contests for TX Only this year: ESports, Natural Hair Weave, Police Application, Wedding Cake Design, Landscape Horticulture and Real Estate Job Exhibit. See Texas Regs for more information.
There is no study guide for any quiz bowls.
Texas State Pin and T-Shirt Contests: Check the Technical Standards in the Texas Regulations under Texas Only Contests. Free to enter, submission link. Submissions open Nov 15, 2025. Deadline to enter is Jan 10, 2026. Open to HS and MS, any CTE program for a joined member. All judging and interviews will happen online.