Requirement
7.0.2.5. A crew consultant is not automatically a merit badge counselor
Required Often forgotten
Venturing consultants are people whose special skills or talents are needed for a crew activity or project, usually recruited on a one-time basis. They would generally be considered qualified to counsel merit badges related to their expertise, but to serve as one they must be registered and approved as merit badge counselors.
Notes and warnings
Note. The reasoning is worth following, because it looks like a contradiction and is not. A consultant recruited for their expertise would generally be considered qualified to counsel a related merit badge. Being qualified is not being registered, and 7.0.1.2 through 7.0.1.4 are still the route.
Where this step comes from
- Guide to Advancement (2025), Section 7.0.2.5 · Venturing consultants must be registered and approved as merit badge counselors before serving as one.