Judging the requirements that are hardest to judge

Six requirements that cannot be checked by watching, each with the tests the Guide gives for it: drawn as independent branches, because the Guide sets no order between them.

26 steps (24 parts inside them). 7 steps and parts depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 9 August 2026 · About Judging the Requirements That Are Hardest to Judge

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The steps

Stage 1 of 8

4 steps

4.2.3.0. The requirements that are hardest to judge Milestone

The Guide sets these apart from the camping, the first aid and the merit badges, and says they are generally the most difficult to administer and judge. They are judged independently of each other and in no particular order.
2 parts
- 4.2.3.0. Reasonable, and within reason
- 4.2.3.0. Ultimately a board of review decides what is reasonable
4.2.3.1. If the UNIT takes time off, that time still counts Often forgotten Requirement

Scouting is a year-round program. Regardless of a unit's expectations or policy, if the unit takes time off, over the summer or at any other time, that time must count toward the Scout's active participation.

This catches units that stand down over the summer and then count only the months they met. Scouting is a year-round program, and if the unit chose not to run, the Scout must not be penalised for it. It applies to service in a position of responsibility as well.
4.2.3.1. Uniforming, dues and the rest must NOT be weighed here Often forgotten Requirement

Units are free to set expectations on uniforming, supplies for outings, payment of dues and parental involvement. Those standards are extraneous to active participation and must not be considered in evaluating this requirement.

A unit may absolutely require uniforms, dues and equipment. It may not weigh any of them when deciding whether a Scout was active. The two things are separate and the Guide separates them in a single sentence.
4.2.3.6. Using one activity toward more than one requirement Optional Decision

At times it is appropriate for a Scout to apply what was done for one requirement toward another. Unit leaders and merit badge counselors decide, and the Guide gives three cases to decide between.

Stage 2 of 8

7 steps

4.2.3.1. Be active in your unit for a period of months Requirement

The Star, Life and Eagle requirement to be active for a stated number of months. Three tests decide whether it has been met: the first and second are required, along with either the third or its alternative.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.0. The requirements that are hardest to judge.
1 part
- 4.2.3.1. What the requirement is about is impact
4.2.3.2. Demonstrate Scout spirit Requirement

Members who incorporate the ideals of the Scout Oath, Scout Law, motto and slogan into daily life (at home, at school, in religious life, in their neighbourhoods) are said to have Scout spirit.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.0. The requirements that are hardest to judge.
2 parts
- 4.2.3.2. Begin by asking the Scout what it means to them Recommended
- 4.2.3.2. NOT measured by counting meetings or by the uniform Often forgotten "Scout spirit" refers to ideals and values; it is not the same as "school spirit". A troop that scores it from an attendance register or from who wore the uniform is measuring something else.
4.2.3.3. The service project required for a rank other than Eagle Requirement

Approved according to what is written in the requirement. It may be carried out individually or through participation in patrol or troop efforts.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.0. The requirements that are hardest to judge.
2 parts
- 4.2.3.3. Participation only: planning and leadership must NOT be required Often forgotten Usually comes after 4.2.3.3. The service project required for a rank other than Eagle. The single most common overreach below Eagle. A unit that asks a Second Class Scout to plan and lead a service project has added a requirement the Guide expressly says must not be required. Eagle projects call for planning, development and leadership; nothing below does.
- 4.2.3.3. Time spent helping on an Eagle project must be allowed to count
4.2.3.4. Serve actively in a position of responsibility for a period of months Requirement

An accomplishment every candidate for Star, Life or Eagle must achieve. Whether it has been met is decided by the six sub-topics that follow, not by the title the Scout held.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.0. The requirements that are hardest to judge.
1 part
- 4.2.3.4.6. Why "responsibility" rather than "leadership"
4.2.3.5. Take part in a unit leader (Scoutmaster) conference Event

Conducted according to the guidelines in the Troop Leader Guidebook, volume 1. It is a forum for discussing ambitions, life purpose and goals, for counselling, and for feedback on the unit's program.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.0. The requirements that are hardest to judge.
4 parts
- 4.2.3.5. Take part in, not pass, and not a retest Often forgotten
- 4.2.3.5. It need NOT be the last step before the board of review Often forgotten
- 4.2.3.5. More than one may be held, and the Scout may count any of them
- 4.2.3.5. An assistant unit leader aged 21 or over may be designated Optional
4.2.3.6. Where two requirements match exactly and share the same basic intent Optional Requirement

It is appropriate and permissible, unless the requirements state otherwise, to use the same activity for both. The Guide's own example is camping nights for Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class and for the Camping merit badge.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.6. Using one activity toward more than one requirement.
1 part
- 4.2.3.6. Where they are safety-related, satisfy yourself the Scout remembers
4.2.3.6. Where they only appear to align, both must be done Often forgotten Requirement

Seemingly similar requirements usually have nuances intended to create quite different experiences. The Guide's example is Communication and Citizenship in the Community: the same public meeting may be attended, but active listening and an objective report are one requirement and examining differences of opinion then defending one side is the other.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.6. Using one activity toward more than one requirement.

Stage 3 of 8

3 steps

4.2.3.1. Test one. The Scout is registered Requirement

Registered in the unit for at least the period the requirement names. The youth should also have indicated in some way, by word or action, that they consider themselves a member.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.1. Be active in your unit for a period of months.
4.2.3.4.1. The position must be one of those listed Requirement

The position must appear in the position of responsibility requirement shown on the Advancement and Awards web page. Because more than one member may hold some positions (instructor, for example) even very large units are expected to be able to provide enough opportunities.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.4. Serve actively in a position of responsibility for a period of months.
3 parts
- 4.2.3.4.1. A unit may NOT require a particular position Often forgotten Units do this with good intentions and it is not allowed. Requiring senior patrol leader for Eagle, or ruling that scribe "does not really count", is adding to a requirement, and the position of responsibility requirement is one only the published list may define.
- 4.2.3.4.1. Lone Scouts are the one exception to the list
- 4.2.3.4.1. Provisional unit service does not count
4.2.3.5. A unit leader may NOT deny a timely conference Often forgotten Requirement

Unit leaders do not have the authority to deny a Scout a timely conference when one is required for a rank. If one is denied, a Scout who believes all the other requirements are complete may still request a board of review.

A conference is not leverage. If it is denied, the Scout who believes every other requirement is complete may still request a board of review. See 8.0.0.2, boards of review must be granted when requirements are met.
1 part
- 4.2.3.5. No workbook, application or written statement may be required first Often forgotten

Stage 4 of 8

3 steps

4.2.3.1. Test two. The Scout is in good standing Requirement

Scouts are in good standing with a unit as long as they have not been dismissed or suspended for disciplinary reasons, and must also be in good standing with the local council and with Scouting America.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.1. Test one. The Scout is registered.
4.2.3.4.1. For Star and Life only: a leadership project may be assigned instead Optional May not apply Task

For Star and Life ranks only, a unit leader may assign a leadership project that helps the unit as a substitute for the position. The unit leader should consult the unit committee and the unit advancement coordinator to arrive at suitable standards.

You have not answered "Which rank is this for?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.4.1. The position must be one of those listed.
4.2.3.4.2. Any number of positions, as long as the months add up Requirement

The requirement calls for a period of months, and any number of positions may be held as long as total service time reaches it. Positions need not flow from one to the other and there may be gaps between them.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.4.1. The position must be one of those listed.
1 part
- 4.2.3.4.2. Holding two at once does NOT shorten the months Often forgotten

Stage 5 of 8

4 steps

4.2.3.1. Test three: the Scout meets the unit's documented expectations May not apply Requirement

If, for the period required, the Scout meets those aspects of the unit's pre-established documented expectations that refer to a level of activity, then they are considered active and the requirement is met.

You have not answered "Has the unit written its expectations down?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.1. Test two. The Scout is in good standing.
4.2.3.1. The alternative, which MUST be offered if test three is not met Often forgotten Requirement

If a Scout does not meet the unit's reasonable documented expectations, which were communicated in advance, the alternative must be offered. It is not a concession within the unit's gift.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.1. Test two. The Scout is in good standing.

The word the Guide uses is "must". If a Scout has not met the unit's expectations, the alternative has to be offered. A unit does not get to decide whether to allow one. What may be judged is whether the explanation offered is acceptable, not whether the Scout is entitled to give one.
1 part
- 4.2.3.1. The reason must be other positive endeavours, or noteworthy circumstances
4.2.3.4.3. Where the unit has documented expectations, the Scout meets those May not apply Requirement

If a unit has established documented expectations for positions of responsibility and, within reason and based on the Scout's personal skill set, they have been met, the Scout has fulfilled the requirement.

You have not answered "Has the unit written its expectations down?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.4.2. Any number of positions, as long as the months add up.
1 part
- 4.2.3.4.3. Something related to the desired results must happen May not apply
4.2.3.4.4. Where there are none, the responsibilities are worked out together May not apply Requirement

Where support or clearly established documented expectations are not provided, an adult leader or the Scout, or both, should work out the responsibilities to fulfil. Neither the position's purpose nor its degree of difficulty may be significantly altered or diminished.

You have not answered "Has the unit written its expectations down?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.4.2. Any number of positions, as long as the months add up.
1 part
- 4.2.3.4.4. The Scout must NOT be held to unwritten expectations May not apply Often forgotten The commonest unfairness in this requirement. A board of review that judges a Scout against a standard the unit never wrote down and never communicated is applying an expectation that did not exist while the Scout was serving.

Stage 6 of 8

2 steps, 1 ticked

4.2.3.1. Time counted as active need not be consecutive Requirement

Scouts may piece together any times they have been active and still qualify. Four months here and two there is six months.
4.2.3.4.5. When responsibilities are not being met Decision

Where a unit has clearly established documented expectations, a Scout must meet them, within reason, through the prescribed time. What follows is what the Guide requires of the adults when that is not happening.
3 parts
- 4.2.3.4.5. Say so early, and ask rather than tell
- 4.2.3.4.5. If performance will not improve, remove the Scout from the position promptly
- 4.2.3.4.5. A Scout surprised at the end MUST be given credit for the time Often forgotten Only in rare cases, if ever, should troop leaders inform a Scout that time, once served, will not count. If the adults did not raise it during the six months, the six months count.

Stage 7 of 8

2 steps

4.2.3.1. The board may grant the rank whatever the Scout's activity is now Approval

A board can grant the rank regardless of the Scout's current or most recent level of activity, as long as they were active for the required length of time, or combination of times, during their tenure at that rank.
4.2.3.4.5. If the Scout believes the expectations were unreasonable Approval

Where the Scout and the unit leader disagree, the possibility that expectations were unreasonable or not clearly conveyed should be considered. If after discussion the Scout still believes them unreasonable, then on completing the remaining requirements the Scout must be granted a board of review.

Stage 8 of 8

1 step

4.2.3.4.5. For an Eagle candidate, this may become a disputed-circumstances board Optional May not apply Approval

An Eagle candidate who is denied a conference, or whose position of responsibility is disputed, may request a board of review under disputed circumstances. That route exists for Eagle and for no other rank.

You have not answered "Which rank is this for?" yet.

Usually comes after 4.2.3.4.5. If the Scout believes the expectations were unreasonable and 4.2.3.5. A unit leader may NOT deny a timely conference.

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.