When affiliating chapter members, the question often arises as to what is meant by the different levels of membership. To help address this issue each of the membership categories is further delineated below.
SECONDARY – These shall be secondary students who are or have been enrolled in a health science or an organized health career awareness program or are interested in, planning to pursue, or pursuing a career in the health professions. They shall pay affiliation fees as established by the local, state, and national organization, and shall be eligible to hold state and national office, participate in national activities, and, if chosen, serve as voting delegates, and represent their chapter and state in national affairs. The official definition for secondary members of HOSA for the purposed of Competitive Events is: A secondary student is one who, a) is enrolled in a state-approved Health Science program or is planning to pursue a career in the health professions; b) has not received a high-school diploma (or its equivalent) prior to the state’s annual conference; or c) has been within the continuous, sequential educational system for two or more years prior to the current year’s HOSA National Leadership Conference.
POSTSECONDARY/ COLLEGIATE – Postsecondary students shall be enrolled in a postsecondary health science education program at less than the baccalaureate level. Collegiate students shall be students enrolled in a health career program in pursuit of a baccalaureate degree. Postsecondary/collegiate members shall pay affiliation fees as established by the local, state, and national organization, and shall be eligible to hold national office, participate in national activities, and, if chosen, serve as voting delegates, and represent their chapter and state in national affairs. The official definition for postsecondary members of HOSA for the purposes of Competitive Events is: A postsecondary student is one who (a) is enrolled in a state-approved postsecondary program or college level program; (b) has received a high-school diploma (or its equivalent) and/or has been out of the continuous, sequential educational system prior to the current Health Science Education enrollment for two or more years prior to the current year’s HOSA National Leadership Conference. Even though adult students may be enrolled in a secondary program, they may not compete in secondary competition at the HOSA National Leadership Conference. When students satisfy one or more of the criteria of being postsecondary/collegiate students, they are to be classified as members of the postsecondary/collegiate division of HOSA. The official definition for collegiate member of HOSA for the purposes of Competitive Events is: A collegiate student is one who is seeking a baccalaureate degree.
PROFESSIONAL – ADVISOR – The person(s) responsible for advising students on health science activities that relate to HOSA. They shall pay affiliation fees, but may not vote, hold office or compete for HOSA member awards.
PROFESSIONAL (Other than HOSA Chapter Advisor) – These shall be health professionals and other adult members of the community who wish to assist and support the HOSA program of activities. They shall pay affiliation fees, but may not vote, hold office or compete for HOSA member awards.
ALUMNI– These shall be persons who have been enrolled in Health Science programs and ere members of HOSA, or former members of a HOSA chapter who no longer meet the requirements of regular chapter membership. Alumni members shall pay no affiliation fees, and may not vote, make motions, hold office or compete in events.
HONORARY– These shall be persons who have made significant contributions to the development of Health Science Education and/or have rendered outstanding service to the organization. The names of individuals to be considered for membership shall be submitted to the HOSA, Inc. Board of Directors for its approval by a three-fourths vote. They are lifetime members of the national organization and they do not pay affiliation fees. Some state associations have established a State Honorary Membership category. Unless also accepted for National Honorary Membership, such individuals are subject to national affiliation fees, paid by the state association or the individual. Honorary members shall have none of the obligations and all of the privileges of membership except voting, making motions, holding office and competing in events.
LIFETIME MEMBERS– Lifetime membership shall be available for persons who are or have been active members and who are or have participated in HOSA in a professional capacity. Lifetime membership affiliation fees shall be $150. Lifetime members may not vote, make motions or hold office by virtue of this membership alone. Lifetime members will have all privileges accorded if serving in other roles in HOSA; e.g. Delegate Assembly, HOSA, Inc. of Board of Directors.