Advancement & Recognition

Welcome to the Advancement and Recognition homepage! This page should have links to most everything you might need for advancements and recognition.

Reminder on Advancement Reports: An Advancement Report is required to purchase rank awards at the Scout Shop. If your unit uses ScoutBook (highly recommended), you can print the report directly. Otherwise, please complete the Advancement Report Form manually. Without it, purchases can’t be processed, and council records may be incomplete, possibly affecting Scouts’ progress tracking. Always send the Advancement Report with anyone picking up awards!

Scouting America’s Advancement Resources page provides the most up-to-date information on policies, forms, and common questions.

Leaders can view national’s Scouts BSA Advancement News and previous updates on their website.

The Eagle Scout Service Project, Rank Application, and other resources should be downloaded from the National Council Advancement Page in order to ensure the most up to date form is being used. To get started, download the Eagle Project Workbook and review the Northern Lights Council’s Eagle Scout Project Protocol and Eagle Scout Application & Board of Review Protocol.

To generate the Eagle Scout Rank Application, a Scout, parent, or adult leader of the unit can navigate to the Eagle Scout Candidate in Scoutbook, then click Reports and then Eagle Application. If for some reason, you are unable to generate the Eagle Scout Rank Application (mostly filled out with the data we have on record) from Scoutbook, you can find a blank fillable pdf of it by visiting the Scouting America Advancement Forms page.

Each district’s advancement committee is charged with approving Eagle Scout project proposals and facilitating a board of review process. Your district’s advancement team should be your first resource beyond your unit with any questions. You can find your district’s contact by going to the Districts page.

Key Info for Scouts

Merit badges can spark lifelong hobbies or even future careers. Earning one starts with a Scout’s interest, includes a discussion with their unit leader, and involves working with a counselor, ending with advancement and recognition. Scouts can now download merit badge pamphlets for free from Scouting America’s Merit Badges page. Visit the badge’s page and click “Download the Free Pamphlet” near the bottom. Please note that requirements are not included in the pamphlets. Refer to the badge’s main page for the full list.

If you are unable to find counselors in ScoutBook, you can request an updated Merit Badge Counselor listing by contacting either council service center. 

Each requirement must be completed exactly as written – no more, no less. Terms like “show,” “demonstrate,” “make,” “list,” “collect,” and others must be followed literally. Because of publishing delays, requirements in pamphlets or books may not match the official online version. If a badge’s requirements change mid-year, Scouts may choose which version to follow until the end of that year. Once a Scout starts a badge, they may continue using the version they began with. All work must be completed before age 18.

Key Info for Merit Badge Counselors

All merit badge counselors must be registered with Scouting America.

• If already in a fee-paid position, registration is free.

• If not, a $25 fee covers national registration and a background check.

To register, submit:

• An Adult Application (position code MBC)

• A Merit Badge Counselor Information Form

• Completed Safeguarding Youth Training

Submit these to your local council service center to get started.

Scouting’s Guide to Advancement is the official handbook that explains how advancement works across Scouting programs. It outlines the rules for earning ranks, merit badges, and awards, ensuring consistency and fairness nationwide. For Scouts, this clarifies what’s expected, protects their rights, and supports a self-directed progress. For adult leaders, this provides clear guidance on evaluating advancement, handling special cases, and maintaining program integrity. It’s a key resource for making advancement clear, fair, and rewarding for everyone.

The Extension Request for Eagle Scout Rank provides Life Scouts who need more time to complete the Eagle Scout rank requirements beyond their 18th birthday an opportunity to formally request extra time due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the Scout’s control (e.g., serious illness, injury, or major life disruption). This form is submitted by the Scout, their parent, or their unit leader. Once all necessary documentation is submitted, the request is reviewed and approved (or denied) by the council advancement committee. The local council may grant an extension for up to six months.