How-to-Register-as-a-Merit-Badge-or-STEM-Nova-Awards-Counselor - Application Process

Sep 19, 2026

Guide for adults who want to serve youth as a Merit Badge Counselor or a STEM Nova Awards Counselor within the Scouts BSA context. Explains why adult volunteers matter, distinguishes the Merit Badge Counselor and STEM Nova programs, and describes eligibility and responsibilities. Provides an application process summary covering required training (Youth Protection Training), completing forms, uploading documents via the web portal, and waiting for dean approval before counseling. Includes renewal/continuation steps and conditions that remove counselors from the active list.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Application Process Summary

New Merit Badge Counselor Application

Update Merit Badge Counselor Status

New Nova Counselor Application

Update Nova Counselor Status

Further Information for Counselors

How to Register as a Merit Badge or STEM Nova Awards Counselor Thank you for considering serving our youth as a Merit Badge or Nova awards counselor. We are very glad that you want to help us in this way. Adult volunteers can play an important role in the advancement of Scouts, whether or not they have any youth of their own in the program. By serving asa merit badge or Nova award counselor, you share your professional experiences and personal interests with Scouts and not only assist them with their advancement journey but may also inspire them to pursue a career or take up a hobby in that field. You can give them experiences that they would not otherwise have. Merit Badge Counselor-Scouts BSA program There are over 138 merit badges in the Scouts BSA program that cover all manner of skills, careers and interests. Of these, 18 are identified as Eagle-required, and a Scout needs to earn 14 of these as well as 7 other badges on their way to their Eagle Scout rank for a total of 21. STEM Nova Awards Counselor– all BSA programs Adult volunteers with a particular interest or professional experience in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) may also be interested in signing up as Nova Counselors for the BSA’s STEM Nova Awards program. These awards combine existing Scouting program awards with additional activities to earn special awards in STEM fields. If you desire to serve as a Supernova Mentor, please send an email [to](to meritbadge@pacificabsa.org)[ ](to meritbadge@pacificabsa.org)[meritbadge@pacificabsa.org](to meritbadge@pacificabsa.org). Table of Contents Application Process Summary ..................................................................................................................... 2 New Merit Badge Counselor Application .................................................................................................... 4 Update Merit Badge Counselor Status ........................................................................................................ 7 New Nova Counselor Application ................................................................................................................ 9 Update Nova Counselor Status .................................................................................................................. 12 Further Information for Counselors .......................................................................................................... 13 Application Process Summary The process to become a Counselor is designed to ensure that the applicant clearly knows the responsibilities of the position, is fully trained in the merit badge process, has the necessary background in the merit badge subject so they can be an asset to the Scout, and knows how to get answers to any questions they may have. Graphically, here is a summary of the Merit Badge Counselor application process: New Merit Badge/ NOVA Counselor Update Counselor Information Update Counselor Information No Complete MBC Info Form including Nova Awards you wish to counsel Upload all required documents into the Web Portal via Google Forms Do you wish to counsel CIS? An email from the Merit Badge Dean will verify that you can counsel the applied formerit badges Your approval notification will be emailed to you and to your unit’s Merit Badge Counselor Co-ordinator, or Advancement Chair. Please note that it may take about a week to review your application, and longer if any paperwork is incomplete. Please wait for approval before counseling any Scouts for a particular merit badge or Nova award. After you get your approval email from the Merit Badge Dean, your name and the badge(s) you applied to counsel should be seen in Scoutbook in about a week’s time. An updated list of merit badge counselors operating within Pacifica District is sent monthly to unit Scoutmasters, Committee Chairs, Advancement Chairs and Merit Badge Counselor Co-

FAQs

What is required before submitting an application to become a Merit Badge or Nova counselor?

Applicants must complete Youth Protection Training (YPT) and ensure their certificate is valid for the remainder of the current calendar year. They must also complete and upload the required electronic proof documents through the web portal before submitting.

How does the approval workflow work after the application is submitted?

An email from the Merit Badge Dean verifies qualification for the requested merit badges. Approval notifications are emailed to the applicant and relevant unit advancement leadership, and the document notes the review may take about a week or longer if paperwork is incomplete.

When can a counselor start working with Scouts, and how are names updated afterward?

Counselors should wait for approval before counseling any Scouts for the approved merit badge or Nova award. After the approval email, the counselor’s name and approved badge(s) should appear in Scoutbook in about a week.

Sep 19, 2026

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