Task
Eagle Palm Requirements. Count the merit badges you already hold beyond the twenty-one
Required
Every merit badge earned since becoming a registered member, minus the twenty-one used for the Eagle Scout rank. The number this leaves is what the first Palms are made of, and it is a counting job rather than a requirement.
Notes and warnings
Tip. COUNT FROM YOUR RECORD, NOT FROM MEMORY. What is needed is every merit badge earned since becoming a registered member, less the twenty-one used for the Eagle Scout rank. Your council record or Scoutbook is the list that will be checked, and the commonest surprise is a badge earned at summer camp years ago that was reported and forgotten. This is also the moment to notice that the twenty-one used for Eagle were chosen from a longer list, and the ones not chosen are still yours.
Where this step comes from
- Scouts BSA Rank Requirements (Requirements sheets dated 2025-12), Eagle Palm Requirements · The count is merit badges earned beyond the 21 required for the rank of Eagle Scout.
- Guide to Advancement (2025), Section 9.0.3.0 · Merit badges earned at any time since becoming a registered member may be used.