[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-573382-105":53,"doc-detail-573382-en":120},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":113,"head_meta":115,"extra_data":117,"updated_unix":119},105,"en","scouts-bsa-requirements-merit-badge-and-rank-advancement-updates","SCOUTS BSA REQUIREMENTS - Merit Badge and Rank Advancement Updates","","Official Scouts BSA Requirements effective Jan. 1, 2025, defining rank advancement and merit badge requirement use for Scouts. Explains how newly introduced or revised merit badge requirements must be followed, including guidance on choosing between current and revised requirements within the calendar year, and rules for continuing work through completion once started. States there is no time limit to finish a badge, subject to counselor determinations, and prohibits councils, districts, units, or individuals from altering requirements.",{"@graph":63,"@context":112},[64,80,95],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":51,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/general/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/scouts-bsa-requirements-merit-badge-and-rank-advancement-updates/573382/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"author":82,"headline":59,"publisher":85,"fileFormat":88,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":89,"datePublished":89,"encodingFormat":88,"isAccessibleForFree":90,"interactionStatistic":91},"DigitalDocument",{"name":83,"@type":84},"Maya Linwood","Person",{"url":68,"name":86,"@type":87},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-14",true,{"@type":92,"interactionType":93,"userInteractionCount":4},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":94},"ViewAction",{"@type":96,"mainEntity":97},"FAQPage",[98,104,108],{"name":99,"@type":100,"acceptedAnswer":101},"When do the Scouts BSA requirements in this book take effect?","Question",{"text":102,"@type":103},"They are effective Jan. 1, 2025.","Answer",{"name":105,"@type":100,"acceptedAnswer":106},"If merit badge requirements change during the year, which requirements must a Scout use?",{"text":107,"@type":103},"A Scout must use the requirements stated when beginning work, but if changes are introduced, the Scout has through the end of the current calendar year to decide which set to use.",{"name":109,"@type":100,"acceptedAnswer":110},"Is there a time limit to start and complete a merit badge?",{"text":111,"@type":103},"There is no time limit between starting and completing a badge, though a counselor may determine that enough time has passed that new requirements must be used.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":114,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":86,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":116,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":118,"site_id":56},573382,1791938613,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":121},{"doc_id":118,"user_id":122,"nickname":83,"user_avatar":123,"doc_module":9,"category_id":50,"category_name":51,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":124,"file_id":125,"file_url":126,"file_type":127,"file_size":128,"view_count":4,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":129,"language":130,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":131,"faqs":132,"seo_title":133,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":119,"read_time":134},962084928432,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_155a257f0dc6eb9ab79c44ca47cae57d","2025  \nSCOUTS BSA REQUIREMENTS  \nThe requirements listed in this Scouts BSA Requirements book for rank advancement and merit badges are effective Jan. 1, 2025. However, the requirements on the following pages might not match those in the Scouts BSA handbooks and the merit badge pamphlets, because this publication is updated only on an annual basis. The most current official merit badge [requirements can be found at www.scouting.org/meritbadges](requirements can be found at www.scouting.org/meritbadges).  \nWhen new or revised merit badge requirements appear in this Scouts BSA Requirements book [and on www.scouting.org/meritbadges](and on www.scouting.org/meritbadges), any Scout beginning work on a merit badge must use the requirements as stated therein. However, if changes to merit badge requirements are [introduced in a revised merit badge pamphlet or at www.scouting.org/meritbadges throughout](introduced in a revised merit badge pamphlet or at www.scouting.org/meritbadges throughout)[ ](introduced in a revised merit badge pamphlet or at www.scouting.org/meritbadges throughout)the year, then the Scout has through the end of the current calendar year to decide which set of requirements to use.  \nOnce a Scout begins work, the Scout may continue using the requirements the Scout started with until completion of the badge. Alternatively, the Scout may choose to switch to the revised requirements. Sometimes, however—especially for more significant changes—the Scouts BSA handbooks, the Scouts BSA Requirements book, [www.scouting.org/meritbadges](www.scouting.org/meritbadges), or official communications from the National Council may set forth a different procedure that must be used. The National Council may establish a new date for when use of the existing requirements must cease.  \nThere is no time limit between starting and completing a badge, although a counselor may determine so much time has passed since any effort took place that the new requirements must be used.  \nNo council, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or to subtract from, any advancement or merit badge requirements. For more detailed information, see the Guide to Advancement, [which is available online at www.scouting.org/resources/guide-to-advancement](which is available online at www.scouting.org/resources/guide-to-advancement).  \nTHIS PRINTING INCLUDES  \nMerit Badge  \nRequirement Updates  \nAnimal Science (1) (2) (3)  \n(5) (6)  \nArchery (1) (5)  \nAstronomy (4) (6) (8) (9) Aviation (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Chemistry (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)  \n(6) (7) (8)  \nCitizenship in the  \nCommunity (2) (3) Climbing (3) (4) (7) (8) (9)  \n(10) (11) (12) (13) Cooking (3) (4) (5) (7) Crime Prevention (1) (2) (3)  \n(4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)  \n(10) (11)  \nCycling (1) (3) (6)  \nDentistry (1) (7)  \nDigital Technology (8) (9) Dog Care (10)  \nDrafting (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)  \n(7) (8)  \nElectricity (1) (4) (5) (6) (7)  \n(8) (9) (10) (11) Electronics (4) (5) (6)  \nEmergency Preparedness (2)  \n(3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)  \n(9) (10)  \nEnergy (2) (8)  \nEnvironmental Science (1)  \n(2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)  \n(9) (10) (11)  \nFamily Life (4) (6)  \nFingerprinting (2) (6)  \nFire Safety (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)  \n(6) (7) (8) (9) (10) First Aid (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)  \n(6) (7) (8) (9) (10) (11)  \n(12) (13) (14) (15) Fish and Wildlife  \nManagement (5) (6)  \n(7) (8)  \nFishing (1)  \nGardening (5) (8) (9)  \nInsect Study (1) (2) (3) (4)  \n(5) (6) (7) (8) (9) Landscape Architecture (5) Law (4) (11)  \nMetalwork (4)  \nMotorboating (1) (5) Multisport (all new for 2025) Nature (4) (5) (7)  \nPlumbing (6) (7)  \nPottery (2) (5)  \nProgramming (2) (5)  \nReptile and Amphibian Study (8)  \nRifle Shooting (1) (2) (3) Shotgun Shooting (1) (2) (3) Skating (1) (2)  \nSnow Sports (1)  \nSports (1) (4) (5) (6)  \nScouts BSA Requirements  \nTHIS BOOK BELONGS TO  \nThis booklet is designed to bring together the requirements for merit badges and rank advancements and to highlight recognitions for special opportunities.  \nYour commen","cbCaimIxgO4CUy4g","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaimIxgO4CUy4g","pdf",4763908,308,"English","# Age Requirement Eligibility\n# Scouts BSA Rank Requirements\n## Scout Rank Requirements\n## Tenderfoot Rank Requirements\n## Second Class Rank Requirements\n## First Class Rank Requirements\n# Alternative Requirements for Ranks\n## Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Ranks Alternative Requirements\n# Star Rank Requirements\n# Life Rank Requirements\n# Eagle Rank Requirements\n# Eagle Scout Rank Alternative Requirements\n# Introduction to Merit Badges\n# Merit Badge Requirements\n# Special Opportunities","[{\"question\":\"When do the Scouts BSA requirements in this book take effect?\",\"answer\":\"They are effective Jan. 1, 2025.\"},{\"question\":\"If merit badge requirements change during the year, which requirements must a Scout use?\",\"answer\":\"A Scout must use the requirements stated when beginning work, but if changes are introduced, the Scout has through the end of the current calendar year to decide which set to use.\"},{\"question\":\"Is there a time limit to start and complete a merit badge?\",\"answer\":\"There is no time limit between starting and completing a badge, though a counselor may determine that enough time has passed that new requirements must be used.\"}]","SCOUTS BSA REQUIREMENTS - Merit Badge and Rank Advancement Updates | PDF",108]