Star Rank

Earn First Class first. The clock starts there Milestone

Star is not worked on alongside the ranks below it. Five of its eight requirements only count from the date the First Class board of review approved you, so the useful first step is knowing that date.

Requirements 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 all count only from the date your First Class board of review approved you. Service hours given the month before, or four months in a position that ended the week before, do not count towards Star. Find that date before planning anything else on this sheet.

Work to the requirements in force when you start Document

Rank requirements are republished yearly. A Scout beginning work on the next rank uses the requirements as they stand then.

Usually comes after Earn First Class first. The clock starts there.

Rank requirements are republished yearly. Guide to Advancement 4.0.0.1 states that once a new or revised requirement appears on the program web page, a Scout beginning work on the next rank uses it as stated there. This page records the date its copy was read. Check it against the official page before relying on it.

1. Four months active as a First Class Scout Often forgotten Milestone

One of two four-month clocks on this sheet, and it starts on the date of your First Class board of review. It runs at the same time as requirement 5 rather than before or after it.

Usually comes after Work to the requirements in force when you start.

3. Six merit badges, four of them Eagle-required Often forgotten Requirement

The one substantive requirement on this sheet that is NOT limited to work done as a First Class Scout, so badges earned earlier count. The sheet says there are 18 badges on the Eagle-required list and points at Eagle requirement 3 for it.

Usually comes after Work to the requirements in force when you start.

5. Four months in a position of responsibility Often forgotten Milestone

While a First Class Scout, in one or more approved positions, or a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project instead. Assistant patrol leader does not count for this rank.

Usually comes after Work to the requirements in force when you start.

Assistant patrol leader is NOT an approved position of responsibility for the Star rank. It is in a footnote on the sheet, and finding it out after four months is the most expensive mistake available on this page.

2. Scout spirit, as a First Class Scout Task

How you have done your duty to God and how you have lived the Scout Oath and Law in everyday life. Unlike the ranks below, this one asks about the Oath and Law as a whole rather than four named points.

4. Six hours of service, while a First Class Scout Often forgotten Task

Through one or more projects approved by your Scoutmaster. Only hours given after First Class count, and approval comes before the work.

The service projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster, and approval comes before the work. Unlike Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class, this rank does not exclude projects used for earlier ranks, but the hours themselves must have been given while a First Class Scout.

6. Personal safety, with your parent or guardian Often forgotten Requirement

The same pair as the Scout rank, done again for this one. Neither part happens at a troop meeting, which is why they are so often the last thing outstanding.

6a. The pamphlet exercises, with your parent or guardian Often forgotten Task

The exercises in the child abuse pamphlet, completed together.

6b. The Personal Safety Awareness videos Often forgotten Task

Viewed with your parent or guardian's permission. Where a family has no internet access at home and none readily available elsewhere, the Scoutmaster may waive this part in consultation with the parent or guardian.

7. Scoutmaster conference Milestone

While a First Class Scout. Not a retest, and it must not be denied to a Scout who asks for one.

8. Board of review Approval

The last step. If it does not approve, there is a route of appeal and the sheet names it.

Usually comes after 7. Scoutmaster conference.

Board of review, and the rank is earned Milestone

Requirement 8 is the board of review. If it does not approve the advancement, the decision may be appealed under Guide to Advancement 8.0.4.0, which the sheet itself points at.

Usually comes after 8. Board of review.