Eagle Scout Rank Requirements

The seven requirements, the service project approval chain, and the merit badges — in the order they actually have to happen.

44 steps. 7 steps depend on questions you have not answered yet. · About Eagle Scout Rank

Which of this applies to you

You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan — everything that could apply to anybody. Answering 3 short questions will take out the parts that are not for you.

Answer the questions

24 steps can be started now; 17 are waiting on something else.

Clear ticks

Your ticks are kept in this browser, so they will still be here next time. They are in the address as well, so a link to this page carries them to another device.

The steps

Stage 1 of 14 Can start now

22 steps

Stage 2 of 14

5 steps

Stage 3 of 14

2 steps

  • 3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges

    Thirteen required badges and eight of your own choosing. Three of the thirteen are a choice between two or three badges.

    Requirement

    Usually comes after 3. The thirteen required merit badges and 3. Eight elective merit badges.

  • 5. Choose a beneficiary and write the project proposal

    Identify the religious institution, school or community organisation that will benefit, and complete the proposal section of the workbook.

    Task

    Usually comes after 5. Obtain the current Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook.

Stage 4 of 14

4 steps

  • 5. Proposal approved by the beneficiary

    The organisation benefiting from the project approves the proposal.

    Approval

    Usually comes after 5. Choose a beneficiary and write the project proposal.

  • 5. Proposal approved by the unit leader

    The Scoutmaster, Advisor or Skipper approves the proposal.

    Approval

    Usually comes after 5. Choose a beneficiary and write the project proposal.

  • 5. Proposal approved by the unit committee

    The unit committee approves the proposal, which usually means waiting for the next committee meeting.

    Approval

    Usually comes after 5. Choose a beneficiary and write the project proposal.

  • 5. Proposal approved by the council or district Often forgotten

    The last of the four approvals, and the one with the least predictable timing. No work on the project may start until it is given.

    Approval

    Usually comes after 5. Choose a beneficiary and write the project proposal.

    No work on the project may begin until the proposal has all four approvals, including this one. A project carried out before approval has not met the requirement, however good the project was.

Stage 5 of 14

1 step

  • 5. Develop the final project plan

    Detailed planning after the proposal is approved: materials, tools, people, permissions, safety and a schedule.

    Task

    Usually comes after 5. Proposal approved by the beneficiary, 5. Proposal approved by the unit leader and 2 others.

Stage 6 of 14

1 step

Stage 7 of 14

1 step, all ticked

Stage 8 of 14

1 step

Stage 9 of 14

1 step, all ticked

  • Requirements 1 to 6 complete

    The point the certification on the application refers to. Everything except the board of review has to be behind you.

    Milestone

    Every requirement except the board of review has to be finished before the 18th birthday. The board itself may be held afterwards. A Scout who completed the requirements in time may be reviewed within 24 months of that birthday without having to explain the delay; beyond that, and for extensions granted before the birthday, the Guide to Advancement sets out the process.

Stage 10 of 14

1 step, all ticked

Stage 11 of 14

1 step

Stage 12 of 14

2 steps

  • Council verifies the application and schedules the board of review

    The council checks its records against the application and arranges the board.

    Approval

    Usually comes after Submit the application to the council service center.

  • References contacted Often forgotten

    The Scout asks the references listed on the application; the council contacts them. A reference who never replies is the commonest cause of delay at this stage.

    Approval

    Usually comes after Submit the application to the council service center.

Stage 13 of 14

1 step

Stage 14 of 14

1 step

  • Credentials received by the local council

    The rank may not be presented until the council has the Eagle Scout credentials back from the national advancement program team.

    Milestone

    Usually comes after 7. Successfully complete your board of review for the Eagle Scout rank.

This plan follows version 1, published 7 August 2026. It is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.