Competitions
The 2026 SkillsUSA New Mexico State Leadership and Skills Conference (SLSC) will be held March 18 – 21, 2026 in Albuquerque. The event includes several leadership development opportunities and competitive events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation. Contests begin locally and continue through the state and national levels.
Not all national competitions are available at the New Mexico State Conference. By Chapter request we currently host 70 of the 114 competitions available at the National level.
ANTICIPATED 2025-2026 STATE COMPETITIONS
Testing Window Opens: TBD
Competition Substitution Deadline: TBD
Testing Window Closes: TBD
Pin Design Competition
Each year, all active student members are invited to compete in the Pin Design competition. Students will vote at Fall Leadership Conference to determine finalists and the winning design will be featured on our State Pin for 2026.
Competition Guidelines: Click Here
Advisor Submission Form: Click Here
Deadline: November 5, 2025
T-Shirt Design Competition *NEW*
We are excited to announce we’ll be doing the T-Shirt Design Competition this year! All active student members are encouraged to compete. Voting will take place online from January 7-14, 2026 to determine the finalists. The winning design will be featured on our 2026 State Leadership and Skills Conference T-shirt.
Competition Guidelines: Click Here
Advisor Submission Form: Click Here
Deadline: January 4, 2026
2025-26 Leadership and Occupationally Related State Competitions
Action Skills*
American Spirit*
Career Pathways – Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Career Pathways – Arts and Communication
Career Pathways – Business Management and Technology
Career Pathways – Health Science
Career Pathways – Human Services
Career Pathways – Industrial and Engineering Technology
Chapter Business Procedure
Chapter Display*
Community Service
Customer Service
Employment Application Process
Entrepreneurship
Extemporaneous Speaking*
First Aid – CPR
Job Interview
Job Skill Demonstration A*
Job Skill Demonstration Open*
Medical Math
Medical Terminology
Opening and Closing Ceremonies*
Pin Design*
Prepared Speech*
Promotional Bulletin Board*
QuizBowl*
Related Technical Math
T-Shirt Design*
2025-26 Skilled and Technical State Competitions
3D Visualization and Animation
Advertising Design
Architectural Drafting
Auto Service Technology
Auto Service Technology – First Year
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Baking and Pastry Arts
Basic Healthcare Skills (High
School only)
Cabinetmaking
Carpentry
Collision Repair Technology
Commercial sUAS Drone
Computer Programming
Crime Scene Investigation
Criminal Justice
Culinary Arts
Cyber Security
Diesel Equipment Technology
Digital Cinema Production
Early Childhood Education
Electrical Construction Wiring
Firefighting
HVACR
Information Technology Services
Interactive Application and Video Game Development
Internetworking
Mechatronics
Nail Care
Nurse Assisting
Photography
Plumbing
Restaurant Service
Robotics – Urban Search and Rescue
Sheet Metal
TeamWorks
Technical Computer Applications
Technical Drafting
Video News Production
Video Production
Welding
Welding Fabrication
Welding Sculpture
* Competitions available for middle school students to advance to the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference
Competition descriptions can be found HERE.
This list is subject to change.
SkillsUSA Professional Development Test
The SkillsUSA Professional Development Test is counted as a scored portion of all state and national career competitions. Please find the study guide here.
