Scouts can earn merit badges in more than 140 subjects, from Camping and First Aid to Robotics and Welding. Each one is a chance to explore a hobby, a skill or a career with an adult who knows the subject. Search the list below; every badge links to its official requirements on scouting.org.
To start a merit badge, talk to your Scoutmaster — they’ll connect you with a registered counselor.
Track your requirements and progress in Scoutbook.
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How merit badges work
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Pick a badge
Find one that interests you and read its official requirements. Free pamphlets and resources are linked from each badge’s page on scouting.org.
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Talk to your Scoutmaster
Your Scoutmaster gives the go-ahead and connects you with a registered counselor. In Scoutbook, that connection works as your digital “blue card.”
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Work with your counselor
Always bring a buddy (a parent, guardian or another Scout) to meetings. Your counselor signs off each requirement as you finish it.
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Get your badge
When every requirement is signed off and your Scoutmaster approves it, you receive the badge, usually at the next court of honor.
Merit badges and the Eagle Scout rank
Eagle Scout requires 21 merit badges, including 13 from the Eagle-required list. For three of those 13, a Scout picks one badge from a group: Emergency Preparedness or Lifesaving, Environmental Science or Sustainability, and Swimming, Hiking or Cycling. An extra badge from one of those groups counts toward the other 8. Turn on Eagle-required only above to see the full list.
Citizenship in Society was discontinued on February 27, 2026. Scouts who had completed at least one of its requirements before then have until December 31, 2026 to finish it.
This list of all merit badges was checked against scouting.org on October 24, 2026. Requirements change from time to time, so always use the official page linked from each badge.