State-level competitions are the first part of the National Economics Challenge. Teachers register teams of 3-4 students each, for whom they serve as a coach throughout the NEC (up through the International Quiz Bowl Finals unless a substitute is needed), with their local affiliate at the registration portal. Teachers can begin this process even if they have not chosen teams or selected students. Rules for the each state-level competition are determined by the CEE affiliates that organize them. You can find the the CEE affiliate that organizes each statewide competition at the registration portal: econchallenge.unl.edu.

During the statewide competition, teams compete online and in person to determine who will represent their state at the National Semi-Finals. The teams that win the National Semi-Finals will compete in person in Newark, New Jersey at the National Finals, culminating in the International Quiz Bowl Finals.