Steps in Scouting

Scout BSA advancement

Scout BSA advancement isn’t age- or grade-based. The Scout, with support and guidance from parents and Scout leaders, progresses at his or her own pace.

The Scouts BSA Handbook suggests that earning Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class should happen within the first 12 to 18 months of joining Scouts BSA.

At Star, Life and Eagle, Scouts tend to spread out a little bit. Some Scouts advance through those ranks quickly while others take their time. There’s no right approach — every Scout is different.

Beginning at the Star rank, the BSA adds time-based requirements:
Star: Active as a First Class Scout for at least four months; serve in a position of responsibility for at least four months.
Life: Active as a Star Scout for at least six months; serve in a position of responsibility for at least six months.
Eagle: Active as a Life Scout for at least six months; serve in a position of responsibility for at least six months.
Added together, the minimum time between becoming First Class and earning Eagle is 16 months.

One of the highlights of scouting is earning merit badges, by exploring new interests, expanding your knowledge, and honing your skills across many different subjects. There are more than 135 merit badges that a Scout may earn any at any time.

For Eagle Rank, these are the current Merit Badge Requirements: Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than required for the Life rank), including these 13 merit badges: (a) First Aid (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in the World, (e) Communication, (f) Cooking, (g) Personal Fitness, (h) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (i) Environmental Science OR Sustainability, (j) Personal Management, (k) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (l) Camping, and (m) Family Life. You must choose only one of the merit badges listed in categories h, i, and k. Any additional merit badge(s) earned in those categories may be counted as one of your eight optional merit badges used to make your total of 21.

Find the full details about advancement ranks and requirements here.