Eagle Scout Rank

These requirements are effective as of August, 2022. See previous requirements.

Attaining the Eagle rank is often the end goal of a scout. It looks good on a resume and shows commitment to a program over an extended span of time. Actually, just like each rank advancement before it, the Eagle rank is a major advancement milestone, but not the culmination of scouting.

After reaching Eagle, a scout can continue to earn merit badges and be rewarded with an Eagle Palm for each 5 additional merit badges.

Eagle Scouts can also continue to lead and guide the troop or change focus to helping Cub Scouts become Scouts; maybe become Junior Assistant Scoutmasters, helping the Scoutmaster with projects to improve the troop; or look for worthwhile endeavors outside of scouting to which they can apply their scouting background.
There are many ways an Eagle Scout can continue to contribute to and receive from the Scouting program.

Download the most recent Eagle Scout Application Form
This application can be filled in online by the Eagle candidate.

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, how you have lived the Scout Oath and Scout Law in your everyday life, and how your understanding of the Scout Oath and Scout Law will guide your life in the future. List on your Eagle Scout Rank Application the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious (if not affiliated with an organized religion, then the parent or guardian provides this reference), educational, employer (if employed), and two other references.
3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than required for the Life rank), including these 14 merit badges: (a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in Society, (e) Citizenship in the World, (f) Communication, (g) Cooking, (h) Personal Fitness, (i) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (j) Environmental Science OR Sustainability, (k) Personal Management, (l) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (m) Camping, and (n) Family Life.
   
   You must choose only one of the merit badges listed in categories i, j, and l. Any additional merit badge(s) earned in those categories may be counted as one of your seven optional merit badges used to make your total of 21.
   
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4. While a Life Scout, serve actively in your troop for six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:

   Scout troop: Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, instructor, webmaster, or outdoor ethics guide.

   Venturing Crew: President, vice president, secretary, treasurer, den chief, historian, guide, quartermaster, chaplain aide, or outdoor ethics guide.

   Sea Scout Ship: boatswain, boatswain's mate, purser, yeoman, crew leader, media specialist, specialist, den chief, or chaplain aide.

   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 Scouting America.) A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 512-927, in meeting this requirement. (To learn more about the Eagle Scout service project, see the Guide to Advancement, topics 9.0.2.0 through 9.0.2.16.)
6. While a Life Scout, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
7. Successfully complete your board of review for the Eagle Scout rank. 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. (This requirement may be met after age 18, in accordance with Guide to Advancement topic 8.0.3.1.)

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If a Scout has a permanent physical or mental disability, the Scout may become an Eagle Scout by qualifying for as many required merit badges as their ability permits and qualifying for alternate merit badges for the remainder. An Application for Alternate Eagle Scout Award Merit Badges form must also be used. See the Eagle Scout Rank Alternate Requirements