DECA Inc. is governed by DECA Inc. Representatives, appointed by charterholders from each chartered association to revise governance documents and elect members of the DECA Inc. Board of Directors. The DECA Inc. Board of Directors employs the Executive Director to implement the board’s policies, serve as the fiscal agent and primary spokesperson of the organization and employ such staff as necessary to plan and execute the board policies.

DECA Inc. has issued charters to state departments of education and other not-for-profit corporations for the purpose of operating chartered associations within certain geographic areas. Charters are issued separately for the high school and college divisions to a charterholder who then administers the chartered association.

Each chartered association is comprised of local chapters, which are unincorporated student organizations operating under the authority of the local school district and the chartered association. Chapters shall comply with all policies set forth by the local school district and their chartered association. When policies of the local school district differ from those of the chartered association, the chapter shall comply with the most restrictive policies. The relationship between DECA Inc. and the chartered associations is set forth in the DECA Inc. bylaws.

DECA is recognized and endorsed by all 50 state departments of education and the U.S. Department of Education.