More than 130 merit badges in 14 subject areas:
Agribusiness
Arts and crafts
Business and industry
Communications
Conservation
Hobbies
Natural science
Personal development
Physical science
Professions
Public service
Sports
Trades
Transportation
Pick a Subject. Talk to your unit leader about your interests. Read the requirements of the merit badges you think might interest you, and pick one to earn. Your leader will give you the name of a person from a list of counselors. These individuals have special knowledge in their merit badge subjects and are interested in helping you.
Scout Buddy System. You must have another person with you at each meeting with the merit badge counselor. This person can be your parent or legal guardian, or another registered adult.
Call the Merit Badge Counselor. Get a signed Application for Merit Badge, No. 34124 or No. 34130, from your unit leader. Get in touch with the merit badge counselor and explain that you want to earn the badge. The counselor may ask to meet you to explain what is expected and to start helping you meet the requirements. You should also discuss work you have already started or possibly completed.
At the first meeting, you and your merit badge counselor will review and may start working on the requirements. In some cases, you may share the work you have already started or completed.
If not currently a registered adult with BSA, NEW Merit Badge Counselor must submit a BSA adult application for the position of merit badge counselor (code 42). There are no exceptions.
If already a Registered Merit badge counselor, and you are just adding more Merit Badges to counsel, you do not need to complete another new adult BSA application.
“Merit badge counselor” is a council or district position, not a unit position.
Approval of merit badge counselors is the responsibility of the district advancement committee, not the unit.