I. Competition Overview
The BPA (Business Professionals of America) Business Challenge holds official accreditation from the U.S. Department of Education (USED) and the Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO), and is endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). It stands as a globally leading academic business competition for secondary school students, focusing on key disciplines such as business management, financial accounting, and information technology.
With a history spanning over 50 years, the competition attracts more than 45,000 student participants annually. These students receive widespread recognition from both the global academic community and renowned corporations—including industry giants such as Microsoft, PwC, and Hilton. In 2021, BPA officially established a presence in China with the launch of BPA China; the competition evaluates participants' comprehensive business knowledge as well as their specialized professional skills. Furthermore, as the BPA competition is still in its nascent stages in China, it currently boasts a remarkably high advancement rate, offering 25% of participants the opportunity to qualify for the Global Finals.
II. Event Organizer
Who Are We?
BPA is a premier CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) serving students engaged in business management, information technology, finance, office administration, health administration, and other related career fields.
With 45,000 members across more than 1,800 chapters in 25 states and Puerto Rico—and with international offices in China, Haiti, and Peru—BPA is an organization dedicated to supporting business and information technology educators by providing extracurricular activities grounded in national standards.
BPA empowers students to enhance their engagement in professional, civic, service, and social endeavors. One of BPA's flagship initiatives is the Workplace Skills Assessment Program (WSAP). The WSAP prepares students for success and evaluates practical business skills and problem-solving abilities in the fields of finance, management, IT, and computer applications. As BPA's signature program, it enables students to showcase their career competencies across more than 90 competitive events held at the regional, state, and national levels.
Our Mission
BPA’s mission is to cultivate and empower student leaders—by creating unparalleled opportunities for learning, professional growth, and service—to discover their passion and change the world.
Our Vision
BPA’s vision statement is: To be an innovator in career and technical education, providing growth opportunities for our members through education, competition, community service, and personal development.
Our Membership Structure
Each BPA chartered state has its own governing body and a State Advisor who guides state programs and conferences.
The BPA Association was established through the collaborative efforts of these state organizations. The national organization benefits members by developing workplace skills assessment programs, national conferences, national initiatives, and by serving as a representative and unifying body. Each BPA chapter—unless it is an independent chapter—is an integral part of both the state BPA organization and the national BPA organization.
BPA further categorizes its members into the following divisions:
Middle Division
For middle school students currently or previously enrolled in initial, refresher, or advanced business, vocational-technical, and career or related education programs.
Secondary Division
For high school students currently or previously enrolled in initial, refresher, or advanced business, vocational-technical, and career or related education programs. The designation of Associate Member applies to high school students currently or previously enrolled in initial, refresher, or advanced business, vocational-technical, and career or related education programs designed for special populations.
Post-Secondary Division
For post-secondary students (enrolled in one-year, two-year, bachelor's degree, or post-bachelor's programs) currently or previously enrolled in initial, refresher, or advanced business, vocational-technical, business education, and career or related education courses.
Our History
1963: The Early Years
Through the field of career and technical education, a need was recognized for a student organization to serve students in vocational, technical, office, and business disciplines. A study conducted across 43 states revealed that 67% of state career and technical education directors desired a career/technical youth organization specifically for students in office and business programs.
1966: First Affiliates
The Vocational Office Education Clubs of America (VOECA) was established, comprising three founding states: Iowa, Kansas, and Wisconsin. The organization's bylaws were submitted to the Office Education Association (OEA), and these three states became its first affiliated chapters.
1967: First National Conference
The inaugural National Conference was held in Green Lake, Wisconsin.
1971: National Presence
The Office Education Association established a national headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, and the Board of Directors approved the creation of an Alumni Division.
1982: Permanent Home
The current headquarters of Business Professionals of America is located at 5454 Cleveland Avenue in Columbus, Ohio.
1984–1988: OEA Becomes BPA
Recommendations for a brand image overhaul—proposed in a market research study completed in 1984—were implemented in 1988, at which time the OEA officially became Business Professionals of America (BPA).
1992: A Milestone
During the National Leadership Conference held in Cincinnati, Ohio, the mortgage on the National Center headquarters was paid off and ceremonially "buried."
1998–2004: New Division
An "Middle Level" division was piloted by the states of Delaware, Florida, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas between 1998 and 2002. Approved by the Board of Trustees and the Corporate Body during the 2002–2003 term, members of the Middle Level division attended the National Leadership Conference for the first time in 2004.
2010: BPA's New Commitment
"We meet in the spirit of friendship and goodwill to prepare for careers in a world-class workforce."
2012: Virtual Events Created
BPA introduced a new series of competitive events known as "Virtual Events," characterized by innovative competition formats and a specific focus on media and information technology activities.
2016 — 50th Anniversary
Business Professionals of America celebrated 50 years of student achievement by hosting the largest gathering of people wearing tie-dye at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, setting a Guinness World Record.
Would you like to speak with us?
For more details regarding the BPA competition—including registration, rules, and other information—please feel free to contact us!
