American Business Merit Badge

Six requirements, with the explanations of requirements 1 to 3 drawn as steps, the five primary areas of business in 1(c) drawn before the business research of requirement 5 and the career route of 6(a), and requirement 6 (career or interview) drawn as a question.

7 steps (15 parts inside them). 2 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 8 October 2026 · About American Business Merit Badge

No questions answered

This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the question at the address above takes out the parts that are not for you.

Which of this applies to you

You have not answered anything yet, so this is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering one question will take out the parts that are not for you.

Answer the questions

The steps

Stage 1 of 7

1 step

1. Free enterprise, history, labor and the economy Requirement

Five parts, (a) to (e).
5 parts

Stage 2 of 7

1 step

2. Financial statements, money, capital and insurance Requirement

Four parts, (a) to (d).
4 parts

Stage 3 of 7

1 step

3. Profit, sustainability, ethics and online business Requirement

Four parts, (a) to (d).
4 parts

Stage 4 of 7

1 step

4. The Department of Labor, and TWO labor laws Often forgotten Requirement

Describe the role of the U.S. Department of Labor, then discuss TWO of FLSA, OSHA, FMLA and ERISA with your counselor.

Stage 5 of 7

1 step

5. Research a business across the primary areas Requirement

Choose a business and research how it applies to each primary area: accounting, finance, economics, marketing and management. Share what you learned with your counselor.

Stage 6 of 7

1 step

6. Career or interview. Do ONE Requirement

The badge states the choice: research a business career, or interview a business leader.
2 parts
- 6(a). Three careers in one primary area, one researched Optional May not apply
- 6(b). Interview a business leader Optional May not apply Often forgotten

Stage 7 of 7

1 step

Counselor signs it off Milestone

The completion date is the date you met the requirements, not the date of the signature.

Usually comes after 1. Free enterprise, history, labor and the economy, 2. Financial statements, money, capital and insurance and 4 others.

Merit badge requirements are republished annually. A Scout beginning work uses the requirements as they stand then; a Scout already working may finish under the ones they started with. Guide to Advancement 7.0.4.3 governs which applies. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.

This plan is a planning aid: the current Boy Scouts of America publication is always the authority, and the sources used here are listed in full. Each step names its own.