I have no idea what the qualifications are for the new CTE. The website just says that candidates must “demonstrate academic achievement in career and technical programs” and “are nominated by their state’s Chief State School Officer”. I have no clue how those decisions are made.
Arts nominees are participants in the National YoungArts program at the national level. I don’t know whether it’s possible to be nominated both based on test scores and on arts participation. @Larensea attends an arts specialty school, so I was curious.