NACTA provides competition in six required areas including soils, crops, general livestock, dairy cattle, ag business, and knowledge bowl. Host schools are given the freedom to add contests they are capable of holding. Examples of such contests include, but are not limited to ag systems management, precision ag, computers, horticulture, horse judging, ag marketing, ag communication, wildlife/natural resources, meats, poultry, animal science management, hippology, small animals, and landscape design.

Specific rules are provided for all contests by the host institution. Required contests will be offered every year. Optional contests are a function of the hosting institution.