Advancement

Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Discontinuance

The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge will be discontinued effective Friday, February 27, 2026. Beginning on February 27, 2026, Scouts will no longer be able to start requirements on the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge. Those Scouts who had already started and completed any requirements for the merit badge will be allowed the rest of 2026 to complete the full merit badge and still utilize it for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. This has been standard practice for Eagle requirements and other advancement changes in the past.

Effective Feb. 27, 2026, the rank of Eagle Scout will have 13 required merit badges instead of 14. All of the remaining 13 Eagle Required merit badges will still apply, just not Citizenship in Society, but Scouts will have 8 elective merit badges from which to choose instead of 7, and the total for Eagle Scout will remain at 21 merit badges (13 required + 8 elective = 21 merit badges).

Council & District Advancement Chairs as well as Council Registrars (Eagle Scout app processors) will have the ability to allow the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge to count towards Eagle Scout for those few Life Scouts who started the requirements prior to the discontinuance date, and will complete the merit badge before Dec. 31, 2026.

 

Important Update: Merit Badge Requirements Moving Online

Great news! Merit badge pamphlets are getting a modern upgrade! Instead of printed requirement lists, each pamphlet will now feature a convenient QR code and URL that links you straight to the latest requirements in the Merit Badge Hub on scouting.org. This means you’ll always have access to the latest information and resources at your fingertips!

Timeline:

  • QR codes are being added to free downloadable pamphlets
  • Newly printed pamphlets with QR codes will begin appearing in Scout Shops in 2026
  • This change will continue as pamphlets are updated and reprinted over the next several years

Rationale: Merit badge requirements are continually reviewed and updated to keep current with technological advances, best practices, and current events. Many requirement updates become effective annually on January 1st, but safety-critical updates may be made at any time. This practice aligns the in-depth subject and motivational material in the pamphlet with the most up-to-date requirements, whether downloaded PDF or printed text.

Exciting News: Competitive Gaming Badge Enters Test Lab in March 2026!

Get ready for something new! The Competitive Gaming badge will enter the Scouts BSA Test Lab in March 2026, giving Scouts an incredible opportunity to explore esports, game strategy, teamwork, and competitive team dynamics in ways never before available in Scouting.

About Test Lab: Test Lab badges use digital resources instead of printed pamphlets. Scouts work with any registered adult volunteer and complete a survey after finishing requirements. If the badge becomes official, Scouts who completed it during the test period receive full credit.

Why This Matters: This badge opens doors to learn about competitive gaming from a Scouting perspective—focusing on sportsmanship, strategic thinking, communication, and the growing world of esports. Whether you’re already into gaming or curious about this rapidly expanding field, here’s your chance to dive in and help shape what could become an official merit badge.

Key Points:

  • Requirements must be completed before the expiration date
  • Scouts receive a certificate of completion signed by their registered adult volunteer
  • The certificate can be used for advancement credit if the badge becomes an official merit badge

Visit www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/test-lab starting in March for requirements and digital resources.

New Digital Resource for Hiking Merit Badge Now Available!

Scouts working on the Hiking Merit Badge now have access to a brand-new digital resource guide designed to enhance their learning experience! This companion resource provides additional support materials that work alongside the merit badge pamphlet, offering Scouts helpful tools and information to make their hiking journey even more rewarding. Access this valuable resource today and elevate your outdoor adventure skills!  Find this guide along with Aviation and Family Life at the link below:

scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/digital-resource-guides/

Expanded Digital Resources Now Available!

We’re excited to share two brand new resources now available for Scouts:

 Family Life Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide

The Family Life Merit Badge just got even better! We’ve launched a comprehensive digital resource guide packed with videos, worksheets, and interactive tools to help Scouts navigate this Eagle-required badge. The guide includes helpful resources for everything from planning family meetings to understanding family dynamics and responsibilities. Whether you are a Scout just starting the badge or a merit badge counselor helping a Scout work through the requirements, this new resource makes the journey easier and more engaging.

Explore the guide at: https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/family-life/

 Psychology Badge – Now in the Test Lab

Something new to explore! The Psychology badge has officially launched in our Scouts BSA Test Lab. This innovative badge gives Scouts the opportunity to dive into mental health, resilience, empathy, and leadership through the lens of psychology. Scouts will learn about famous psychologists, create skits demonstrating psychological principles in leadership, track their own emotional wellness, and even explore career opportunities in the field.

This Test Lab badge is available for completion through December 31, 2026, and your feedback through the survey helps determine if this becomes an official merit badge. This is your chance to help shape the future of Scouting!

Learn more and get started at: https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/test-lab/psychology/

Finally, as part of our routine Merit Badge updates, the “Indian Lore” Merit Badge has become “American Indian Culture” Merit Badge, and a new badge design has been made available.  The curriculum and requirements remain unchanged and continue to offer valuable information for Scouts.

Scouts BSA Advancement Updates Effective January 1, 2026

We’re excited to share the planned improvements to Scouts BSA merit badge requirements that will take effect on January 1, 2026. These updates will help Scouts explore modern career paths and hobbies, develop practical skills, and engage with current topics while maintaining the quality and tradition of the Scouting advancement program. These changes are tentative; additional changes may occur before January 1st, 2026.

What’s Changing?

The Scouts BSA Advancement Committee has made thoughtful updates to over 80 merit badges based on feedback from Scout leaders, subject matter experts, and current trends in technology, safety, and outdoor education. These changes reflect our commitment to keeping Scouting relevant and meaningful for today’s youth.

Key Updates Include:

Updated Career Exploration Requirements
Many merit badges now feature expanded career exploration options that help Scouts research real-world job opportunities, understand education requirements, and explore how Scouting skills connect to future careers or hobbies. These updated requirements encourage Scouts to think about how their interests might shape their future.

Enhanced Safety and Outdoor Ethics
Several badges now include important discussions about Leave No Trace principles and the Outdoor Code, helping Scouts understand their responsibility to protect natural areas during their adventures.

Modernized Content and Skills
Merit badges have been updated to reflect current technology, safety practices, and knowledge. For example:

  • Radio now covers cell phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and RFID technology
  • Digital Technology includes QR codes and barcodes
  • Safety expands to cover online safety, safeguarding youth, and travel safety
  • Traffic Safety addresses distracted driving and modern vehicle safety features

Clearer Requirements
Many badges feature reorganized or clarified requirements to make them easier to understand and complete.

Which Merit Badges Are Affected?

Over 80 merit badges have updates ranging from minor clarifications to substantial content changes. Some badges have new requirements added, while others have been reorganized or updated to reflect current practices and knowledge.

See the attached documents for the complete list of affected merit badges and detailed changes.

When Do These Changes Take Effect?

All updated requirements officially take effect on January 1, 2026. The changes will be reflected in Scoutbook and on our online Merit Badge Hub by late December 2025.

What If My Scout Already Started a Merit Badge?

According to the Guide to Advancement, Section 7.0.4.3:

  • Scouts who begin working on a merit badge on or after January 1, 2026, must use the new requirements
  • Scouts who started a merit badge before January 1, 2026, may continue using the previous requirements until the badge is completed, OR they may choose to switch to the new requirements

This flexibility ensures that Scouts can complete their work without unnecessary frustration while giving them the option to engage with the updated content if they prefer.

Resources

The complete list of planned changes can be found in the attached documents:

For the most current merit badge requirements, always refer to:

Advancement Report Processing

Reporting Advancements to the council is required for all units.  Using Scoutbook to record unit advancement and to print an advancement report is highly recommended; but some circumstances may necessitate use of the BSA Advancement form which can be found here.

According to the Guide to Advancement 2021, all rank and merit badges are restricted items and will not be sold without the required advancement report or proof that one has already been submitted prior to their purchase.

Blue Card Records

Even with Scoutbook, blue cards are the Scout's official record for having completed merit badges.  Blue card records can be invaluable to confirm merit badges for Star, Life, and especially for Eagle Boards of Review. 

The Scout office no longer "stamps" the blue cards as they have done in the past.  It is advised that the Scout retain the blue cards for their records if verification of a merit badge needs to be confirmed as completed and signed off by a registered Merit Badge Counselor after turning in their Eagle Scout Project Workbook and Application.