Archery Merit Badge

The five requirements, with requirement 5 drawn to its full three levels so the shooting test you actually face is visible before you pick a bow.

6 steps (44 parts inside them). 28 parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 13 August 2026 · About Archery Merit Badge

No questions answered

This is the whole plan: everything that could apply to anybody. Answering the 4 questions 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 4 short questions will take out the parts that are not for you.

Answer the questions

The steps

Stage 1 of 6

1 step

1. Safety, and the laws where you live Requirement

Five parts, all required. Everything here is explanation. None of it needs a range, and all of it should be settled before you get to one.
5 parts

Stage 2 of 6

1 step

2. Arrows, and the one fork in this requirement Requirement

Five parts. 2(d) is a choice between making an arrow and repairing several, and the two need quite different equipment.
7 parts
- 2(a). Name and point to the parts of an arrow
- 2(b). Three or more types of arrow
- 2(c). The four principal shaft materials
- 2(d). Make one, or repair several
- 2(d)(1). Make a complete arrow from a bare shaft Optional May not apply
- 2(d)(2). Repair arrows to show you can Optional May not apply
- 2(e). Caring for and storing arrows

Stage 3 of 6

1 step

3. Accessories, and four terms Requirement

Two parts, both explanation.
2 parts
- 3(a). Tabs, arm guards, shooting gloves and quivers
- 3(b). Draw length, draw weight, mechanical release, barebow

Stage 4 of 6

1 step

4. Scoring and the kinds of archery Requirement

Four explanations. Knowing how the targets are scored is what makes the shooting test in requirement 5 readable.
4 parts

Stage 5 of 6

1 step

5. Shoot, and read the Genesis note before you choose Often forgotten Decision

One of two options, under the supervision of a certified USA Archery Level 1 Instructor or a certified long-term camp staff member. The requirement adds that a Genesis bow is worked under Option A, even though a Genesis is a compound bow and Option B is the compound option.

READ THE NOTE AT THE END OF THIS REQUIREMENT. "When using a Genesis bow, apply the requirements in Option A." A Genesis is a compound bow, Option B is headed Compound Bow, and the note overrides that. Genesis bows are what most Scout camps issue, so the common case is: shooting a compound, working Option A. The two options ask for different things and carry different scores.

This is the only requirement that needs a certified person present. It must be done under the supervision of a certified USA Archery Level 1 Instructor or a certified long-term camp staff member: an NCS Range Activities Director, or a Rangemaster over 18 trained by one of those or by a Level 1 Instructor. Requirements 1 to 4 need none of that. Finish them before you get to the range so the supervised time is spent shooting.
26 parts
- 5(A). Option A, Recurve bow or longbow Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(1). Name and point to the parts of your bow Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(2). Caring for and storing recurve bows and longbows Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(3). USA Archery's 11 Steps of Shooting Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(4). String the bow properly Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(5). Set the nocking point with a bow square Optional May not apply Often forgotten
- 5(A)(6). The shooting test: a round, or a fixed score Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(6)(a). Shoot a single round, with a finger release Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(6)(a)(1). NFAA field round: 14 targets, score 60 Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(6)(a)(2). Scouting America field round: 14 targets, score 80 Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(6)(a)(3). World Archery/USA Archery indoor round, score 80 Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(6)(a)(4). NFAA indoor round, score 50 Optional May not apply
- 5(A)(6)(b). 30 arrows at 10 yards for 150 points Optional May not apply
- 5(B). Option B, Compound bow Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(1). Name and point to the parts of your bow Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(2). Caring for and storing compound bows Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(3). USA Archery's 11 Steps of Shooting Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(4). Why the string or cable goes to a shop Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(5). Set the nocking point Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(6). The shooting test: a round, or a fixed score Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(6)(a). Shoot a single round, with a finger release Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(6)(a)(1). NFAA field round: 14 targets, score 70 Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(6)(a)(2). Scouting America field round: 14 targets, score 90 Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(6)(a)(3). World Archery/USA Archery indoor round, score 90 Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(6)(a)(4). NFAA indoor round, score 60 Optional May not apply
- 5(B)(6)(b). 160 points, from two distances Optional May not apply Often forgotten This one is shot from TWO distances: 15 arrows in five-arrow ends at 10 yards AND 15 arrows in five-arrow ends at 15 yards, for a minimum of 160. The recurve equivalent, 5(A)(6)(b), is 30 arrows from 10 yards only. Reading one and shooting the other is an easy mistake.

Stage 6 of 6

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 5. Shoot, and read the Genesis note before you choose.

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.