Scouting provides a series of surmountable obstacles and steps in overcoming them through the advancement method. Scouts plan their own advancement and progress at their own pace as they meet each challenge. Scouts are recognized and rewarded for each achievement, which helps them gain self-confidence. The steps in the advancement system help a Scout grow in self-reliance and in the ability to help others.
Advancement is the process by which youth members of the Boy Scouts of America progress from rank to rank and is the method by which we promote and encourage the ongoing involvement and commitment that keeps members coming back for more. It works best when it is built into a unit’s program so that simply participating leads to meaningful achievement and recognition—and to a continually improving readiness for more complex experiences.
It Is a Method—Not an End in Itself
Advancement is simply a means to an end, not an end in itself. It is one of several methods designed to help unit leadership carry out the aims and mission of the Boy Scouts of America.
The requirements listed below for rank advancement and Eagle Palms are the official requirements of the Boy Scouts of America.
Advancement Is Based on Experiential Learning
Everything done to advance—to earn ranks and other awards and recognition—is designed to educate or to otherwise expand horizons. Members learn and develop according to a standard. This is the case from the time a member joins and then moves through the programs of Cub Scouting, Scouts BSA, and Venturing or Sea Scouts.
Experiential learning is the key: Exciting and meaningful activities are offered, and education happens. Learning comes from doing. For example, youth may read about first aid, hear it discussed, and watch others administer it, but they will not learn it until they practice it. Rushing a Scout through requirements to obtain a badge is not the goal. Advancement should be a natural outcome of a well-rounded unit program, rich in opportunities to work toward the ranks.
It is important to note, as with any educational opportunity, a rank or award is not the end of the learning process. In Scouting, after a requirement has been passed, the Scout is placed in practical situations that build retention through repeated use of skills. For example, a Scout plays games that feature the skills, teaches other Scouts, and perhaps practices the skills in “real-life” outdoor experiences. A well-rounded and strong unit program takes advantage of these kinds of opportunities, using them to improve retention through practical application.
- Age Requirement Eligibility
- Cub Scout Ranks & Adventures
- Rank Advancement for Venturers and Sea Scouts
- Scout Rank Requirements 2019 | 2018
- Tenderfoot Rank Requirements 2019 | 2018
- Second Class Rank Requirements 2019 | 2018
- First Class Rank Requirements 2019 | 2018
- Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Ranks Alternative Requirements 2019 | 2018
- Star Rank Requirements 2019 | 2018
- Life Rank Requirements 2019 | 2018
- Eagle Rank Requirements 2019 | 2018
- Eagle Scout Rank Alternative Requirements 2019 | 2018
- Eagle Palms 2019 | 2018
- Scouts BSA Rank Requirements
- Merit Badges and Requirements
Special Opportunities
- 50-Miler Award
- Boardsailing BSA
- Cyber Chip
- Commissioner Awards and Recognitions
- Complete Angler
- Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award
- Cub Scout Shooting Sports Award
- Cub Scout World Conservation Award
- Cub Scout Cyber-chip
- District Award of Merit
- Den Chief Service Award
- Emergency Preparedness Award
- Firem’n Chit
- Historic Trails Award
- Interpreter Strip
- James E. West Fellowship
- Kayaking BSA
- Messengers of Peace
- Mile Swim BSA
- Morse Code Interpreter Strip
- National Summer Time Pack Award
- National Court of Honor Lifesaving, Meritorious Action and Heroism Awards
- National Medal for Outdoor Achievement
- National Outdoor Awards
- National Parks Service Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger
- Nova and Supernova Awards
- Outdoor Ethics Action Award
- Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award
- Paul Bunyan Award
- Religious Emblems Awards
- Scuba BSA
- Scouters Key Award
- Scouters Training Award
- Snorkeling BSA
- Stand Up Paddleboarding
- Totin’ Chip
- Unit Leader Award of Merit
- Whittling Chip
- White Water Rafting BSA
- William T. Hornaday Awards
- World Conservation Award
Resources
- Guide to Advancement, No. 33088 (PDF); Online view
- Advancement Report, No. 34403
- Eagle Scout Challenge, No. 542-900
- Lone Scout Friend and Counselor Guidebook, No. 511-420
- Troop Resource Survey, No. 512-116
- Guide to Awards and Insignia, No. 33066
- Venturing Board of Review Guide, No. 512-940
Rank Advancement
- 2019 Scouts BSA Rank Requirements
- Application for Alternative Eagle Scout Rank Merit Badges, No. 512-730
- Belated Eagle Scout Rank Application, No. 512-076
- Eagle Scout Rank Application 2020, No. 512-728
This is the revised 2020 Eagle Scout Rank Application. Scouts who have already started preparing their application using the 2019 version may continue to use it. They do not need to redo it using the 2020 version. - Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, No. 512-927
- Eagle Scout Service Project Coach Application, No. 512-069
- Individual Scout Advancement Plan, No. 512-936
- Navigating the Eagle Scout Service Project; Information for Project Beneficiaries
- Request for Extension of Time to Earn Eagle Scout Rank, No. 512-077
- Request for Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility, No. 512-935
- Venturing Summit Award Service Project Workbook, No. 512-938
- Venturing Summit Award Application, No. 512-941
Merit Badges
- A Guide for Merit Badge Counseling, No. 512-065
- Merit Badge Counselor Information, No. 34405
- Merit Badge Group Instruction Guide, No. 512-066
- Merit Badge List
- Reporting Merit Badge Counseling Concerns, No. 512-800