Merit Badge Counselor

Merit Badge Counselors (MBCs) help Scouts learn and explore. There are over 135 merit badges--everything from American Business to Woodwork, including 21 that Scouts must earn to complete Eagle Scout. 

The merit badge counselor is a key player in the Scouts BSA advancement program. Whatever your area of expertise or interest—whether it is a special craft or hobby (basketry, leatherwork, coin collecting), a profession (veterinary medicine, aviation, engineering), or perhaps a life skill (cooking, personal management, communications)—as a merit badge counselor, you can play a vital role in stirring a Scout’s curiosity about that particular topic. By serving as a merit badge counselor, you offer your time, knowledge, and other resources so that Scouts can explore a topic of interest. Pass along your passion!

Who should take this training?

New Scouts BSA Merit Badge Counselors

Why should I take this training?

A well-qualified Merit Badge Counselor can enhance a youth’s attention span through effective communication, which leads to better understanding of the subject, productive discussions, and true interest. A bond of mutual respect often develops when a Scout feels confident to offer thoughts and opinions through meaningful conversations with a merit badge counselor. Thus, a Scout grows in social skills and self-reliance as a result of interacting with an adult who is a qualified counselor. The merit badge counselor agrees to follow the requirements of the recognition, making no deletions or additions, ensuring the advancement standards are fair and uniform for all Scouts.

Merit Badge Counselor Training is available online at My.Scouting.org.

When and where is this training available?

You can take the online version of Merit Badge Counselor Training at your convinience by logging in to My.Scouting.org (if you’ve never visited this site before, you’ll need to click the “create account” button and then follow the instructions; have your BSA membership ID number handy).

What is the cost of this training?

There is no cost if you take Merit Badge Counselor Training online.

How do I sign up for this training?

You don’t have to register to take the online version of Merit Badge Counselor Training through My.Scouting.org; just log in and start taking the class modules.