Registering beyond the age of eligibility
From deciding whether it is the right route at all, through six enclosures and a council executive board decision, to what changes afterwards.
15 steps (16 parts inside them). 2 steps depend on questions you have not answered yet. · Version 1, published 8 August 2026 · About Registering Beyond the Age of Eligibility
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.
The steps
Stage 1 of 11
2 steps
-
10.2.0.0. A member cannot learn or perform like most people their age Milestone
Youth members and adults who are disabled in a way that makes it very hard for them to learn or perform like most people their age may be considered for registration beyond the ages of eligibility: 11 or older for a Cub Scout, 18 or older in Scouts BSA, 21 or older as a Venturer or Sea Scout.
2 parts
-
10.2.0.0. It is NOT a time extension Often forgotten A time extension and this registration are not alternatives to one another. An extension has an end date, may have nothing to do with disability, and exists only for the Eagle Scout, Summit and Quartermaster ranks. This is permanent and open ended. Asking for the wrong one wastes the time of everybody who reads it.
-
10.2.0.0. First ask whether registering as an adult volunteer fits better Recommended Decision
Adults with intellectual disabilities often see themselves as adults. Even where the person qualifies in every other respect, the Guide asks that this be considered before enrolling them as a youth participant: as an adult volunteer supported by the other unit leaders, the arrangement often fits their social development better.
Stage 2 of 11
1 step
-
10.2.0.0. The registration serves two distinct groups Decision
Knowing which one an applicant belongs to shapes everything that follows, including whether a youth or an adult application is enclosed.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.0. A member cannot learn or perform like most people their age.
Stage 3 of 11
1 step
-
10.2.0.1. The threshold: functioning clearly below age level, permanently Requirement
A candidate generally functions socially and intellectually at a level clearly lower than their age. On the form, the disability must be permanent and so severe that it precludes advancement even at a rate significantly slower than typical.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.0. The registration serves two distinct groups.
It is not appropriate for most types of disability, nor for moderate levels of learning, developmental or intellectual disability. Even with a disability, a young adult should go on to living like a young adult rather than remaining a Scout indefinitely.
Stage 4 of 11
1 step
-
10.2.0.1. If ordinary flexibility is enough, this route must not be used Often forgotten Decision
Where members can take advantage of the flexibility already built into Scouting advancement and participate in essentially the same way as typical youth, they must not be registered beyond the age of eligibility. If ranks can be achieved through the accommodations or modifications set out in official literature, the disability probably does not rise to the level this request requires.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.1. The threshold: functioning clearly below age level, permanently.
If members can use the flexibility already built into advancement and take part in essentially the same way as typical youth, they must not be registered beyond the age of eligibility. Try section 10.1 (accommodations, modifications and alternative requirements) before this.
Stage 5 of 11
2 steps
-
10.2.0.0. Developmental disability or cognitive impairment: submit at any time Optional May not apply Milestone
Requests to extend registration beyond the age of eligibility on that basis, for youth members and for adults, may be submitted at any time.
You have not answered "What is the nature of the disability?" yet.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.1. If ordinary flexibility is enough, this route must not be used.
-
10.2.0.0. Severe physical challenge: submit before age eligibility ends Optional May not apply Often forgotten Milestone
Requests for youth members on the basis of severe physical challenges must be received before they reach the end of age eligibility for the program. The Guide's own example: a request to extend participation in Scouts BSA must be received before the youth reaches their 18th birthday.
You have not answered "What is the nature of the disability?" yet.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.1. If ordinary flexibility is enough, this route must not be used.
This is the deadline in the whole process. A request on the basis of severe physical challenge must be received before the end of age eligibility, before the 18th birthday for a Scouts BSA member. A request on the basis of developmental disability or cognitive impairment has no such deadline.
Stage 6 of 11
1 step
-
10.2.0.2. Request for Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility, No. 512-935 Document
The form itself, found in the appendix at 11.4.0.0 and at scouting.org/advancement. The parent or guardian fills it in. Everything below is attached to it, labelled as enclosures in the order given.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.0. Developmental disability or cognitive impairment: submit at any time and 10.2.0.0. Severe physical challenge: submit before age eligibility ends.
6 parts
-
10.2.0.2. Enclosure 3: Annual Health and Medical Record Often forgotten The Guide asks for this twice and does not agree with itself: topic 10.2.0.2 says parts A, B and C of the Annual Health and Medical Record; the sample form reproduced at 11.4.0.0 says parts A and C. Part B is the physician's examination. Ask the council which they want before booking an appointment. The form is at scouting.org/health-and-safety/ahmr.
Stage 7 of 11
1 step
-
10.2.0.2. Submit the packet to the Scout executive or a designee Task
The completed request form with its attachments goes to the local council. The form asks for it to be submitted to the Scout executive or a designee.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. Request for Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility, No. 512-935.
Stage 8 of 11
1 step
-
10.2.0.2. The council executive board approves it, or delegates it Approval
The board must approve requests directly, or delegate the action to a council operating committee or another group of responsible volunteers at council level. That may or may not be the council advancement committee.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. Submit the packet to the Scout executive or a designee.
This is not the council advancement committee's decision, though the board may delegate it to them. It is the council executive board's, or that of a council operating committee or other group of responsible volunteers the board delegates to.
2 parts
-
10.2.0.2. Never a district, and never one person Often forgotten Consideration must not be delegated to any district, nor to any single individual, professional or volunteer. A decision taken by one person at district level is not a decision under this process.
-
Stage 9 of 11
1 step
-
10.2.0.2. The Scout executive prepares and sends the approval letter Document
If the request is granted, the Scout executive prepares an approval letter and sends it to the parent or guardian and to the unit leader or committee chair.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. The council executive board approves it, or delegates it.
1 part
-
10.2.0.2. A copy stays in the unit's registration file Often forgotten
-
Stage 10 of 11
2 steps
-
10.2.0.2. The council registrar enters the member Task
Following the procedures in the most current edition of the National Council's Registration Guidebook.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. The Scout executive prepares and sends the approval letter.
-
10.2.0.2. The member may keep advancing, including Eagle and Palms Milestone
Members approved for registration beyond the age of eligibility may continue working on advancement, including the Eagle Scout rank and Eagle Palms, for as long as they continue to be so registered.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. The Scout executive prepares and sends the approval letter.
Stage 11 of 11
2 steps
-
10.2.0.2. Return or destroy the supporting private information Task
Once the Scout executive's letter is prepared and filed and the member is entered as registered, the supporting private information goes back to its source: the parent or guardian, or the institution that provided it. If there is any question about what to do with it, it should be destroyed.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. The council registrar enters the member.
-
10.2.0.2. The registration can be expired Optional Decision
The local council or the National Council may expire it on uncovering evidence that a youth was improperly registered beyond the age of eligibility, or that for whatever reason they no longer meet the required level of severity. Registration of an adult as a youth member may also be expired where it is determined that they have progressed enough to be registered as an adult.
Usually comes after 10.2.0.2. The member may keep advancing, including Eagle and Palms.
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.