Attention Scout Leaders:  There is a new Boy Scout Handbook - 11th Edition effective 1/1/99.  There are copies of it available in the Scout Shop.

The new requirements will become effective with the issue of the new Boy Scout Requirements book on January 1, 1999, but since the new requirements are listed in the recently issued Handbook, Scouts should begin using the new requirements now, EXCEPT FOR THE CHANGE IN EAGLE SCOUT REQUIRED MERIT BADGES.  Scouts may continue to use the old requirements until April 1, 1999.   Explorers who are currently working on rank requirements toward the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks may continue to do so using 1998 requirements until December 31, 1999  See the update in the Explorer / Venturing section regarding the changes in the Exploring program.

Age Requirement Eligibility

Merit badges, badges of rank, and Eagle Palms are for boys who are registered Boy Scouts or Varsity Scouts. Any registered Boy Scout or Varsity Scout may earn these awards until his 18th birthday.   


Boy Scout Requirements Book

On a regular basis, Boy Scouts of America issues a Booklet, entitled Boy Scout REQUIREMENTS which lists the current requirements for all Boy Scout Rank Advancements and Merit Badges.  The requirements listed in that book might not match those in the merit badge pamphlets because the pamphlets may not have been recently revised. The requirements in this book are the official requirements of the Boy Scouts of America.

Details of 1999 Advancement Changes