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Dress Code

Required: HOSA’s Official Uniform Policy

  • Tailored navy blazer with emblem affixed over the heart
  • Matching navy slacks or navy knee-length skirt
  • White, closed-neck, tailored dress shirt suitable for tie or scarf
  • Accents: maroon HOSA scarf or maroon or navy long tie
  • Closed-toe blue, black, or brown business shoes or blue, black, or brown sneakers
  • Belt (blue, black, or brown)
  • Head covers required for religious purposes or to honor cultural traditions are allowed.

OR, Business Dress Policy

  • Black or navy-blue suit
  • White, closed-neck, tailored dress shirt (maroon or navy long tie)
  • White blouse (can be member’s choice) or Accent: maroon HOSA scarf (optional)
  • Members may choose to wear knee-length skirts or slacks
  • Closed-toe blue, black, or brown business shoes or blue, black, or brown sneakers
  • Belt (blue, black, or brown)
  • Head covers required for religious purposes or to honor cultural traditions are allowed.

General Conference Dress Policy:

Tennis Shoe / Sneaker Policy: HOSA members may wear business casual footwear, including sneakers, if clean and in good condition throughout the conference. If you wear sneakers to the general sessions, remember they must be blue, black, or brown to be allowed to walk across the stage! Athletic soles are acceptable.

As a Reminder: Official functions, including the HOSA Expo, workshops, and HOSA Universities, are held in conjunction with the ILC (unless the Expo or workshop has special dress requirements like exercise, meditation, etc., which are noted in the ILC Program). The official uniform or appropriate business attire is required for official functions.

Social Activities Dress: The dress code for social activities includes everything EXCEPT athletic clothing, swimwear, sheer or mesh clothing, tank tops, muscle shirts, crop tops, and clothing with obscene or suggestive printing. Shirt straps must be two inches wide, and shorts and skirts must be at least to the fingertip.

Competitive Event Dress:

For HOSA competitors, see competitive event guidelines for proper attire for each competitive event.

Definition of CE Business Attire:
For Business Attire, competitors can wear the Official HOSA Uniform or Business Dress described above OR any of the following acceptable business dress (shoes and clothing can be of ANY color):

  • Suit
  • Dresses
  • Shirts
  • Sports Jackets
  • Jackets
  • Skirts
  • Pants
  • Shoes (closed-toe; open-toe; heeled sandals; and tennis shoes/sneakers are permitted, and canbe of any color)

Definition of CE Clinical Uniform or Attire Appropriate to the Occupational Area:
The following dress is acceptable (can be of any color/design, with or without the HOSA emblem):

  • Scrubs, EMS attire, CERT attire
  • Khaki-style pants with Polo-style top
  • Clinical shoes or tennis shoes / sneakers ARE REQUIRED (MUST be closed toe, no open toe shoes allowed as part of the clinical uniform)
  • Lab coat, worn over scrubs or over appropriate business attire (optional)

Process for Awarding Competitive Event Dress Bonus Points:

  • Five (5) bonus points will be added in Tabulations once per competitor and/or team for appropriate dress for all competitive events. ALL team members must be appropriately dressed to receive the bonus points in team events.
  • At the ILC, dress bonus points are awarded unless the Event Manager and a member of the HOSA CE staff agree upon a dress violation. The Event Manager must notify the Event Lieutenant or Category Chair. When dress points are not awarded, they must be indicated on the HOSA Event Section Summary forms and signed by a member of the CE Program staff.
  • Judges are NOT responsible for awarding dress bonus points

Competitive Events Dress Tips:
No policy can cover all contingencies, so HOSA members must exercise some judgment in their choice of clothing for HOSA competition. Members who experience uncertainty about acceptable HOSA attire should ask their HOSA local or state advisor.

Unacceptable clothing for competition (but not limited to):

  • Casual tank, crop, or tube tops
  • T-shirts (T-shirts with logos for profession acceptable)
  • Sweat or pajama pants/shirts
  • Torn, dirty, or frayed clothing
  • Revealing clothing (i.e., excessive cleavage, back, chest, stomach, undergarments, etc.)
  • Denim clothing of any color or style
  • Canvas shoes
  • "Shorts," "capri pants," and other short pants (Dress pants are acceptable)
  • Beach wear, athletic clothing, swimwear, sheer or mesh clothing
  • Clothing that has obscene or suggestive printing or pictures that may be offensive
  • Flip flops and thong sandals. The definition is "shoes that are flat, backless, made of rubber or leather, plain or embellished, etc… consisting of a flat sole held loosely on foot by a 'Y' shaped strap, like a thin thong, that passes between the first and second toes and around either side of the foot."

Note about HOSA's Dress Code Policy:

  • Head covers required for religious purposes or to honor cultural traditions are allowed.
  • A competitor should dress appropriately based on the dress standards outlined for the gender to which they identify.