Who it is for
For the 2026 class, Miss USA's state page listed Teen contestants as born between 2007 and 2011 and Miss contestants as born in 2007 or earlier. Check the current year's rules when they post, since the birth years move each season.
How it works
Each state crowns a Miss and a Teen, who go on to Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. State directors handle residency questions. When we checked, the national site said to check back for 2027 enrollment, so we have no Carolina dates yet.
Where this comes from. Everything on this page is taken from the system's own published pages, checked October 24, 2026. Rules change by season, so read the current handbook before entering. How we verify.
New to pageants? Read how pageant systems work in the Carolinas or the first pageant guide for parents.