Eagle Scout Forms

Eagle Scout Rank Application

Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook

Eagle Scout Reference Form (council form)

District Eagle Coordinator Contacts

Frequently Asked Questions

What must be done before the Scout’s 18^th birthday?

Requirements 1 through 6 must be complete before the 18^th birthday. That includes the Scoutmaster conference. While the unit leader and the committee chair may sign after the 18^th birthday, there should be as little delay as possible. The application should be turned in promptly.

What position in the troop/team/crew/ship qualify as “positions of responsibility?”

These are listed in the Boy Scout Handbook for troops and teams and in the Venturer Handbook for Venturers, including Sea Scouts. The positions are also listed under requirement 4 on the Eagle Scout application. Note, though, that when changes are made, they often appear in the Boy Scout Requirements book before they appear in the Boy Scout Handbook. Be sure to use the current edition of the Boy Scout Requirements book.

What must the Scout do or accomplish in his “position of responsibility” in order for it to count?

He must “serve actively.” Boy Scout Handbook. The Scoutmaster decides and the board of review reviews what service in sufficient, but they are not allowed to add to the requirements nor to reduce them. Duties for Varsity positions are described in the Varsity Scout Leader Guidebook, and duties for Venturer positions are described in the Venturer Handbook. The requirement is not “leadership,” but rather “responsibility.” (He shows leadership in his project.) See section 4.2.3.4 of the Guide to Advancement for more details.

What is the date to use for the date a rank or a merit badge was earned?

Use the board of review date for the rank and the date the counselor signed the blue card for the merit badges.

Where do I get the Eagle Scout Rank Application, Service Project Workbook and any other paperwork needed for the application process?

The Eagle Scout Rank application, service project workbook, and reference form must be downloaded from this website- see the links at the top of the page.  The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook underwent a major revision at the end of 2011- make sure you and your troop are using the correct workbook and procedure!  No older version should be used or accepted by the district committee after January 1, 2012.

What happens if a Scout has a disability that keeps him from earning all the “required” merit badges?

There is a provision for alternative merit badges for a Scout who is unable to complete all the “required” merit badges. Plans and approvals must be done before the Scout does the alternative merit badges. If he earns a badge before getting approval from the council advancement committee, he may not able to count that badge as an alternative to one of the “required” badges. Work on this with your district advancement chair immediately when a disabled Scout joins the unit or when a Scout in your unit becomes disabled. See the Boy Scout Requirements book for more information. Units cannot make exceptions other than as noted there and in the Boy Scout Handbook. See also the Guide to Advancement and the booklet called A Guide to Working with Boy Scouts with Disabilities.

Does it matter what order people sign the project proposal approvals in the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook? That is, must the benefitting organization sign off before the scoutmaster and unit committee? Must the scoutmaster sign before the unit committee?

It makes sense to have the approvals done in the order presented- unit leader (Scoutmaster), unit committee, and beneficiary. They are not required to be in that order, but all three should be there when the proposal is presented for the district approval.

Must the project be approved before you start work on it?

The Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook calls for the approval of the project proposal before you proceed. The proposal must be sufficiently developed so the district advancement committee can be sure the work will meet all requirements listed below. Do NOT do the project until AFTER you have the approvals SIGNED in the workbook.

1.   It provides sufficient opportunity to meet the Eagle Scout service project requirement. You must show that planning, development, and leadership will take place; and how the three factors will benefit a religious institution, a school, or your community .
2.   It appears to be feasible.  You must show the project is realistic for you to complete.
3.   Safety issues will be addressed. You must show you have an understanding of what must be done to guard against injury, and what will be done if someone does get hurt.
4.   Action steps for further detailed planning are included. You must make a list of the key steps you will take to make sure your plan has enough details to be carried out successfully.
5.   You are on the right track with a reasonable chance for a positive experience.

Who may work on the project? May people work on it who are not Scouts?

Anyone may work on it. Recruiting people who are not in Scouting may even reflect good leadership skills. Keep in mind, though, that the Scout is to LEAD the project, not just work on it.

Your application along with requirement 6 should be submitted to the council office or the Bremerton Scout Shop (they will forward it to Seattle). Your service project workbook is taken to the board of review.

How long does it take for the council to review the application and forward it to the district to schedule a board of review?

It usually takes about seven working days.  If problems are found, the original application is returned to the Scout along with a letter detailing the problems. A copy of the letter and Eagle application are also sent to the unit leader.  It can take a district up to six weeks to schedule a board of review due to the volume of applications.

Who may serve on the board of review for the Eagle Scout rank?

Eagle Scout boards of review are coordinated by the district advancement committee. The membership requirements are different from other ranks. There must be at least three members and no more than six. One or more will be from your district advancement committee. All members must be 21 year old. For the Eagle Scout board of review, members do not have to be registered in Scouting, but they must understand the importance and purpose of the Eagle Scout board of review. Troop Committee Guidebook. The Scout’s parents or guardians, unit leader, and assistant unit leaders may not be on the board. Guide to Advancement

How are the members of an Eagle Scout board of review chosen?

The districts do this in various ways. Your district advancement chair or district Eagle Scout advancement coordinator will explain the process.

After the Eagle Scout board of review, what paperwork actually gets turned in to the Council Service Center?

Only the Eagle Scout rank application goes to the council after the board of review.

How long does it take for the approval from the National Council, after the Eagle application is submitted to the council following the board of review.

Approval by the national council, takes about 24 hours. It takes approximately 2 weeks for the certificate package to be returned to the council office. As a general rule, completed Eagle Scout rank applications received in the office by close of business on Tuesday, will have the certificate back in the office by Friday of the following week. This is not a guarantee; holidays and office closures will affect this schedule.

Is there a way to get a faster response from the National Council?

Yes. When you submit your application after the board of review, request expedited handling. You will be given a form to fill out requiring a credit card. The national council charges $40.00 to expedite; the council charges nothing. Your certificate is back in about 3-4 business days.

When may the Eagle Scout rank award or cloth badge be worn?

You may not wear the award or cloth badge until the National approval has been received. Advancement Committee Policies & Procedures.  Adults do not wear rank badges at all, so you may wear it only until your 18^th birthday. Adults who are Eagle Scouts may wear a square knot over the left pocket showing they are Eagle Scouts or may wear the award on formal or dress occasions.

Can I get a replacement if I lose my Eagle Scout certificate or wallet card?

Yes from the National Eagle Scout Association. The form to request duplicate credentials is available at our website.

What are the most common problems that delay processing an Eagle Scout rank application?

• Most common problem is item 4. “While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility”. List only those positions served after the Life board of review date. The most common problem is that the position or positions listed are before earning the Life rank.
• The application is not signed by the registered unit leader (Scoutmaster, Varsity Coach, Venturing Crew Advisor, Skipper). Have your troop access the internet advancement program to obtain a roster that shows current leadership. Units frequently make leadership changes and do not submit those changes to the council which results in an application being delayed due to conflicting information.
• The council has no record of some ranks or merit badges. Have your troop access the internet advancement program to review the records. The troop can update any information that is missing or you can submit copies of rank and merit badge cards (blue cards) along with the Eagle Scout rank application.
• An older version of the Eagle Scout application is submitted. New applications ask for more information that the older ones which cause a delay in processing. Always go to the website and download the most current version. Units frequently have outdated forms on file that should not be used.
• Failure to list all the references required on the front of the Eagle Scout rank application. You must list a reference for every line (if you are not working, no employer is required). Without an employer, 5 references must be listed.
• No project completion date, project title, or hours are listed under item 5.
• No scoutmaster conference date is listed under item 6.

You can call the council service center: 206.725.5200 or 1.800.262.0133 or contact your district Eagle coordinator.