Eagle-Required Merit Badges

• Camping
• Citizenship in Society
• Citizenship in the Community
• Citizenship in the Nation
• Citizenship in the World
• Communication
• Cooking
• Cycling
• Emergency Preparedness
• Environmental Science
• Family Life
• First Aid
• Hiking
• Lifesaving
• Personal Fitness
• Personal Management
• Sustainability
• Swimming

Elective Merit Badges

• American Business
• American Cultures
• American Heritage
• American Labor
• Animal Science
• Animation
• Archaeology
• Archery
• Architecture
• Art
• Astronomy
• Athletics
• Automotive Maintenance
• Aviation
• Backpacking
• Basketry
• Bird Study
• Bugling
• Canoeing
• Chemistry
• Chess
• Climbing
• Coin Collecting
• Collections
• Composite Materials
• Crime Prevention
• Dentistry
• Digital Technology
• Disabilities Awareness
• Dog Care
• Drafting
• Electricity
• Electronics
• Energy
• Engineering
• Entrepreneurship
• Farm Mechanics
• Fingerprinting
• Fire Safety
• Fish and Wildlife Management
• Fishing
• Forestry
• Game Design
• Gardening
• Genealogy
• Geocaching
• Geology
• Golf
• Graphic Arts
• Home Repairs
• Horsemanship
• Indian Lore
• Insect Study
• Inventing
• Journalism
• Kayaking
• Landscape Architecture
• Law
• Leatherwork
• Mammal Study
• Medicine
• Metalwork
• Mining in Society
• Model Design and Building
• Motorboating
• Moviemaking
• Music
• Nature
• Nuclear Science
• Oceanography
• Orienteering
• Painting
• Pets
• Photography
• Pioneering
• Plant Science
• Plumbing
• Pottery
• Programming
• Public Health
• Public Speaking
• Pulp and Paper
• Radio
• Railroading
• Reading
• Reptile and Amphibian Study
• Rifle Shooting
• Robotics
• Rowing
• Safety
• Salesmanship
• Scholarship
• Scouting Heritage
• Sculpture
• Search and Rescue
• Shotgun Shooting
• Signs, Signals, and Codes
• Skating
• Small-Boat Sailing
• Snow Sports
• Soil and Water Conservation
• Space Exploration
• Sports
• Stamp Collecting
• Surveying
• Textile
• Theater
• Traffic Safety
• Truck Transportation
• Veterinary Medicine
• Water Sports
• Weather
• Welding
• Whitewater
• Wilderness Survival
• Wood Carving
• Woodwork

Tenderfoot Rank Requirements

1a. Present yourself to your leader, prepared for an overnight camping trip. Show the personal and camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it.

1b. Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch.

1c. Explain how you demonstrated the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace on campouts or outings.

2a. On the campout, assist in preparing one of the meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup.

2b. While on a campout, demonstrate the appropriate method of safely cleaning items used to prepare, serve, and eat a meal.

2c. Explain the importance of eating together as a patrol.

3a. Demonstrate a practical use of the square knot.

3b. Demonstrate a practical use of two half-hitches.

3c. Demonstrate a practical use of the taut-line hitch.

3d. Demonstrate proper care, sharpening, and use of the knife, saw, and ax. Describe when each should be used.

4a. Show first aid for the following:

• Simple cuts and scrapes
• Blisters on the hand and foot
• Minor (thermal/heat) burns or scalds (superficial, or first-degree)
• Bites or stings of insects and ticks
• Venomous snakebite
• Nosebleed
• Frostbite and sunburn
• Choking

4b. Describe common poisonous or hazardous plants; identify any that grow in your local area or campsite location. Tell how to treat for exposure to them.

4c. Tell what you can do while on a campout or other outdoor activity to prevent or reduce the occurrence of injuries or exposure listed in Tenderfoot requirements 4a and 4b.

4d. Assemble a personal first-aid kit to carry with you on future campouts and hikes. Tell how each item in the kit would be used.

5a. Explain the importance of the buddy system as it relates to your personal safety on outings and where you live. Use the buddy system while on a troop or patrol outing.

5b. Describe what to do if you become lost on a hike or campout.

5c. Explain the rules of safe and responsible hiking, both on the highway and cross-country, during the day and at night.

5d. Explain why it is important to hike on trails or other durable surfaces, and give examples of durable surfaces you saw on your outing.

6a. Record your best in the following tests:

• Pushups (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds.)
• Situps or curl-ups (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds.)
• Back-saver sit-and-reach (Record the distance stretched.)
• 1-mile walk/run (Record the time.)

6b. Develop and describe a plan for improvement in each of the activities listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a. Keep track of your activity for at least 30 days.

6c. Show improvement (of any degree) in each activity listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a after practicing for 30 days.

• Pushups (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds.)
• Situps or curl-ups (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds.)
• Back-saver sit-and-reach (Record the distance stretched.)
• 1-mile walk/run (Record the time.)

7a. Demonstrate how to display, raise, lower, and fold the U.S. flag.

7b. Participate in a total of one hour of service in one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Explain how your service to others relates to the Scout slogan and Scout motto.

8. Describe the steps in Scouting’s Teaching EDGE method. Use the Teaching EDGE method to teach another person how to tie the square knot.

9. Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived four different points of the Scout Law in your everyday life.

10. While working toward the Tenderfoot rank, and after completing Scout rank requirement 7, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

11. Successfully complete your board of review for the Tenderfoot rank.

Second Class Rank Requirements

1a. Since joining Scouts BSA, participate in five separate troop/patrol activities, at least two of which include overnight camping. These activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On at least two of these campouts, spend the night in a tent that you pitch or other structure that you help erect.

1b. Explain the principles of Leave No Trace and tell how you practiced them while on a campout or outing. This outing must be different from the one used for Tenderfoot requirement 1c.

1c. Tell what you need to do to prepare for a campout.

1d. Demonstrate how to use a camp stove or propane stove. Set up a lightweight stove or propane stove. Light the stove, unless prohibited by local fire restrictions. Describe safety procedures for using these types of stoves.

1e. On one of these campouts, select a patrol site and pitch a tent. Demonstrate proper care and storage of camping equipment.

2a. Explain when it is appropriate to use a fire for cooking or other purposes and when it would not be appropriate to do so.

2b. Use the tools listed in Tenderfoot requirement 3d to prepare tinder, kindling, and fuel wood for a fire. Light the fire, unless prohibited by local fire restrictions. Use the fire to prepare a meal.

2c. Explain when it is appropriate to use a lightweight stove and when it is appropriate to use a propane stove. Describe how to safely use each.

2d. Prepare a camp menu and purchase the food needed to prepare the meals. List the equipment and utensils needed to prepare and serve these meals.

2e. In the outdoors, using your menu, cook one breakfast and one lunch or dinner for your patrol. Supervise cleanup.

3a. Demonstrate how a compass works and how to orient a map. Use a map to point out where you are located.

3b. Complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and uses at least five different map symbols.

3c. Describe some hazards or injuries that you might encounter on your hike and what you can do to help prevent them.

3d. Demonstrate how to find directions during the day and at night without using a compass or an electronic device.

4. Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of wild animals (such as birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, or mollusks) found in your local area or camping location. You may show evidence by tracks, signs, or photographs you have taken.

5a. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe swim.

5b. Demonstrate your ability to pass the BSA beginner swim test:

• Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth, level off, and swim 25 feet on the surface.
• Stop, turn sharply, resume swimming, and return to the starting place.

5c. Demonstrate water rescue methods by reaching with your arm or leg, by reaching with a suitable object, and by throwing lines and objects.

5d. Explain why swimming rescues should not be attempted when a reaching or throwing rescue is possible. Explain why and how a rescue swimmer should avoid contact with the victim.

6a. Demonstrate first aid for the following:

• Object in the eye
• Bite of a warm-blooded animal
• Accidental choking
• Blister on the hand or foot
• Venomous snakebite
• Nosebleed
• Frostbite
• Burns—first, second, and third degree

6b. Show what to do for “hurry” cases of stopped breathing, stroke, severe bleeding, and ingested poisoning.

6c. Tell what you can do while on a campout or hike to prevent the occurrence of the injuries listed in requirement 6a.

6d. Explain what to do in case of accidents that require emergency response in the home and backcountry. Explain what constitutes an emergency and what information you will need to provide to a responder.

6e. Tell how you should respond if you come upon the scene of a vehicular accident.

7a. Demonstrate bandaging a sprained or injured ankle. Demonstrate bandaging injuries on the head, the upper arm, and the collarbone.

7b. Show how to transport by yourself, and with one other person, a person:

• From a smoke-filled room
• With a sprained ankle, for at least 25 yards

7c. Tell the five most common signals of a heart attack. Explain the steps (procedures) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

7d. Demonstrate CPR for at least three minutes using a training device approved by your counselor.

8a. Participate in a flag ceremony for your school, religious institution, chartered organization, community, or Scouting activity.

8b. Participate in an approved (minimum of one hour) service project.

8c. Describe how your service to others relates to the Scout Oath.

9a. Explain the three R’s of personal safety and protection.

9b. Describe bullying; tell what the appropriate response is to someone who is bullying you or another person.

10. Since joining Scouts BSA, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

11. Successfully complete your board of review for the Second Class rank.

First Class Rank Requirements

1a. Since joining Scouts BSA, participate in 10 separate troop/patrol activities. At least three of these activities must include overnight camping. These activities do not include troop or patrol meetings. On these campouts, be physically active and spend the night in a tent you pitched or another structure you helped erect.

1b. Explain each of the principles of Tread Lightly! and tell how you practiced them on a campout or outing. This outing must be different from the one used for Second Class requirement 1b.

2a. Help plan a menu for one of the above campouts that includes at least one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner, and that requires cooking at least one of the meals. Tell how the menu includes the foods from MyPlate or the current USDA nutritional model and how it meets nutritional needs for the planned activity or campout.

2b. Using the menu planned in First Class requirement 2a, make a list showing a budget and the food amounts needed to feed three or more youth. Secure the ingredients.

2c. Show which pans, utensils, and other gear will be needed to cook and serve these meals.

2d. Demonstrate the ability to prepare and serve two meals and a snack. Use proper food handling, sanitation, and dishwashing methods.

2e. Demonstrate how to transport, store, and prepare the foods you selected.

3a. Discuss when you should and should not use lashings.

3b. Demonstrate tying the timber hitch and clove hitch.

3c. Demonstrate tying the square, shear, and diagonal lashings by joining two or more poles or staves together.

3d. Use lashings to make a useful camp gadget or structure.

4a. Using a map and compass, complete an orienteering course that covers at least one mile and includes at least five different legs, using the compass to guide your way.

4b. Demonstrate how to use a handheld GPS unit, GPS app on a smartphone, or other electronic navigation system. Use GPS to find your current location, a destination of your choice, and the route you will take to get there.

5a. Identify or show evidence of at least 10 kinds of native plants found in your local area or campsite location. You may show evidence by identifying them in the field or by photographs you have taken.

5b. Identify two ways to obtain a weather forecast for an upcoming activity. Explain why weather forecasts are important when planning for an event.

5c. Describe at least three things you should do to prepare for a campout in extreme hot or cold weather. Explain the impact of weather conditions on the safety and comfort of your group.

5d. Describe different types of wildfires that may affect your local community, and explain how to prepare for, prevent, and respond to them.

6a. Successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.

6b. Tell what precautions must be taken for a safe trip afloat.

6c. Identify the basic parts of a canoe, kayak, or other boat. Describe how they should be cared for and stored.

6d. Describe proper body positioning in a watercraft, depending on the type and size of the vessel. Explain how to maintain trim and balance and the importance of following the manufacturer’s instructions.

7a. Demonstrate bandages for a sprained ankle and for injuries on the head, the upper arm, and the collarbone.

7b. By yourself and with a partner, show how to:

• Transport a person from a smoke-filled room
• Transport for at least 25 yards a person with a sprained ankle

7c. Tell the five most common signals of a heart attack. Explain the steps (procedures) in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

7d. Demonstrate CPR for at least three minutes using a training device approved by your counselor.

8a. Participate in a flag ceremony for your school, religious institution, chartered organization, community, or Scouting activity.

8b. Explain how to properly respect and care for the U.S. flag.

8c. Participate in an approved (minimum of one hour) service project.

8d. Describe how your service to others relates to the Scout Oath and Scout Law.

9a. Tell someone who is eligible to join Scouts BSA, how to join, and what joining means.

9b. Describe the three aims of Scouting.

9c. Describe the troop’s leadership and how it functions. Name at least three youth leader positions in your troop and explain how they work together to run the troop.

10. Tell how the Scout Oath and Scout Law have guided your actions in your personal life, at school, and in your community.

11. While working toward the First Class rank, and after completing Second Class requirement 10, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

12. Successfully complete your board of review for the First Class rank.

Star Rank Requirements

1. Be active in your troop for at least four months as a First Class Scout.

2. As a First Class Scout, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.

3. Earn six merit badges, including any four from the required list for Eagle. The other two can be from any category. (You may choose any of the 21 total required for Eagle.)

4. While a First Class Scout, participate in six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster.

5. While a First Class Scout, serve actively in your troop for four months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:

• Scouts BSA troop: patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, outdoor ethics guide
• Venturing crew/Sea Scout ship: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, den chief, quartermaster, historian, guide, boatswain, boatswain’s mate, yeoman, purser, storekeeper, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide
• Lone Scout: leadership responsibility in your school, religious organization, club, or elsewhere in your community

6. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide and view the Personal Safety Awareness videos (with your parent or guardian’s permission).

7. While a First Class Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

8. Successfully complete your board of review for the Star rank.

Life Rank Requirements

1. Be active in your troop for at least six months as a Star Scout.

2. As a Star Scout, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.

3. Earn five more merit badges (so that you have 11 in all), including any three more from the required list for Eagle. (You may choose any of the 21 total required for Eagle.)

4. While a Star Scout, participate in six hours of service through one or more service projects approved by your Scoutmaster.

5. While a Star Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:

• Scouts BSA troop: patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, outdoor ethics guide
• Venturing crew/Sea Scout ship: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, den chief, quartermaster, historian, guide, boatswain, boatswain’s mate, yeoman, purser, storekeeper, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide
• Lone Scout: leadership responsibility in your school, religious organization, club, or elsewhere in your community

6. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children From Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide and view the Personal Safety Awareness videos (with your parent or guardian’s permission).

7. While a Star Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

8. Successfully complete your board of review for the Life rank.

Eagle Rank Requirements

1. Be active in your troop for at least six months as a Life Scout.

2. As a Life Scout, demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Tell how you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life.

3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than required for the Life rank), including the following:

• First Aid
• Citizenship in the Community
• Citizenship in the Nation
• Citizenship in Society
• Citizenship in the World
• Communication
• Cooking
• Personal Fitness
• Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving
• Environmental Science or Sustainability
• Personal Management
• Swimming or Hiking or Cycling
• Camping
• Family Life

You must choose only one merit badge listed in the groups marked “or.” If a Scout has earned more than one of the badges listed in the groups, only one of them counts toward the 21 merit badges.

4. While a Life Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:

• Scouts BSA troop: patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, bugler, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, outdoor ethics guide
• Venturing crew/Sea Scout ship: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, den chief, quartermaster, historian, guide, boatswain, boatswain’s mate, yeoman, purser, storekeeper, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide
• Lone Scout: leadership responsibility in your school, religious organization, club, or elsewhere in your community

5. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project must benefit an organization other than Scouts BSA.) A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district advancement committee before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 512-927, in meeting this requirement.

6. Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

7. Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review. In preparation for your board of review, prepare and attach to your Eagle Scout Rank Application a statement of your ambitions and life purpose and a listing of positions held in your religious institution, school, camp, community, or other organizations during which you demonstrated leadership skills. Include honors and awards received during this service.