FIND A MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR
Scouts! Starting a new badge? Trying to finish one up? Check with your Scoutmaster on finding a counselor, or log-in to your Scoutbook.com account to find counselors near you to help guide you towards completion of your merit badge.
HOW TO BECOME A MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR
Adult volunteers serving as merit badge counselors must be registered as merit badge counselors with the Boy Scouts of America. They must be of good character, age 18 or older, and recognized as having the skills and knowledge of the merit badge subject matter, as well as, the ability to work with youth of Scouts BSA age. Merit badge counselors are not registered to a troop, but instead with their district.
Here are the steps to becoming a Merit Badge Counselor:
- Complete the BSA Adult Application. For the position code, use position “42.” Individuals registering as a Merit Badge Counselor, who are not already a registered leader in Cub Scouts, Scouts BSA, Venturing or Sea Scouting, must pay a $25 fee (offsets processing of application and background check).
- Complete the background check form that is part of the BSA Adult Application.
- Complete the merit badge counselor information form. Note that some merit badges require additional certification or documentation, as explained on the form.
- Complete Youth Protection Training by creating an account and taking the training at my.scouting.org, if you have not done so within the past year. Pine Tree Council requires annual renewal of Youth Protection Training. Print a copy of your completion certificate.
- Collect the above paperwork and submit it to your district advancement chair or merit badge processor. Find your district here.
- Your registration and forms will be checked for errors and a background check will be processed.
- After approval, Scoutbook.com will be updated with your information and the badges you have been approved to counsel.
There is no restriction or limit on the number of merit badges an individual may be approved to counsel, however, there will be some review of the appropriateness of badges an applicant has requested to counsel.
All merit badge counselors must be trained, Merit Badge Counselor Orientation is available at my.scouting.org.
Merit Badge Counselors may indicate their interest in counseling primarily within a troop. They may counsel any youth member, including their own child, ward or relative.
ALREADY A MERIT BADGE COUNSELOR?
If you believe you should already be registered as a merit badge counselor, please confirm your registration on my.scouting.org and check your Scoutbook.com profile to view the current list of badges you’re approved to counsel.
If you find you are not on the list, your information is incorrect, or you know longer wish to be a merit badge counselor, please contact your district merit badge processor.