Merit Badge History

Since 1910, BSA has offered hundreds of merit badges. The following is a list of all of them, together with the years when they were available. Note that in many cases, the same badge was offered under slightly different names and/or with slightly different requirements. Each variation is listed below, through the most recent. For example "Handicap Awareness", "Handicapped Awareness", and the current "Disability Awareness" have all been used as the name for essentially the same badge.

Since around 1986, BSA has assigned a number to each badge for internal recordkeeping purposes. Those numbers are shown below, as well.
Badge names in red italic have been discontinued or the name has changed. The 133 badge names shown in bold are currently in use and available for Scouts to earn.

Note that this statement, "Merit badges are never totally retired - If you can find a counselor, find a book that has the requirements, and find the badge, you can earn some that are not officially listed right now." is simply an untrue urban legend. The Guide to Advancement specifically covers this and states the following:

7.0.4.4 - Discontinued Merit Badges
Scouts are not allowed to begin work on discontinued merit badges. If actual and purposeful effort that is more than simply incidental to participation in Scouting activities has already begun by the time discontinuation becomes effective, and work actively continues, then the badge may be completed and can count toward rank advancement. However, presentation of the badge itself will be subject to availability. It is a misconception that discontinued merit badges may be earned as long as the patch and requirements can be found.

Merit Badge Name	BSA ID No.	Scoutbook ID No.	First Offered	Last Offered	Notes
Aerodynamics			1942	1952	Formerly part of Aviation
Aeronautics			1942	1952	Formerly part of Aviation
Agribusiness	120		1987	1995	Formerly Farm & Ranch Management
Agriculture			1911	1975
Airplane Design			1942	1952	Formerly part of Aviation
Airplane Structure			1942	1952	Formerly part of Aviation
Ambulance			1910	1911	Became First Aid
American Business	15	3	1967	current	Formerly Business
American Cultures	17	4	1979	current
American Heritage	16	5	1975	current
American Labor	121	6	1987	current
Angling			1911	1951	Became Fishing
Animal Industry			1928	1975	Became Animal Science
Animal Science	18	7	1975	current	Formerly Animal Industry
Animation	158	152	2015	current
Archaeology	132	8	1997	current
Archery	19	+	1911	current
Architecture	20	10	1911	current
Art	21	11	1911	current
Astronomy	22	12	1911	current
Athletics	23	13	1911	current
Atomic Energy	24		1963	2004	Became Nuclear Science
Auto Mechanics	127		1992	2008	Became Automotive Maintenance
Automobiling			1911	1963
Automotive Maintenance	127	14	2008	current	Formerly Auto Mechanics
Automotive Safety			1962	1974	Became Traffic Safety
Aviation			1911	1942	Became Aerodynamics, Aeronautics, Airplane Design, and Airplane Structure
Aviation	25	15	1952	current
Backpacking	26	16	1982	current
Basketry	27	17	1927	current	Formerly part of Craftsmanship
Bee Keeping			1915	1955	Formerly Beefarming Became Beekeeping
Beef Production			1928	1975
Beefarming			1911	1914	Became Bee Keeping
Beekeeping	28		1956	1995	Formerly Bee Keeping
Bird Study	29	18	1914	current	Formerly Ornithology
Blacksmithing			1911	1952
Bookbinding	30		1927	1987	Formerly part of Craftsmanship Became part of Graphic Arts
Botany	31		1921	1995
Bugling	32	19	1911	current
Business			1911	1966	Formerly Clerk Became American Business
Camping	1	20	1911	current
Canoeing	33	21	1927	current
Carpentry			1911	1952
Cement Work			1927	1952	Formerly part of Craftsmanship
Chemistry	34	22	1911	current
Chess	147	135	2011	current
Cinematography	126		1990	2013	Became Moviemaking
Citizenship (Civics)			1947	1951	Formerly Civics Became Citizenship in the Community Citizenship in the Home and Citizenship in the Nation
Citizenship in Society	160	154	2021	current
Citizenship in the Community	2	24	1952	current	Formerly part of Citizenship (Civics)
Citizenship in the Home			1952	1972	Formerly part of Citizenship (Civics)
Citizenship in the Nation	3	25	1951	current	Formerly part of Citizenship (Civics)
Citizenship in the World	4	26	1972	current	Formerly World Brotherhood
Citrus Fruit Culture			1931	1952
Civics			1911	1946	Became Citizenship (Civics)
Clerk			1910	1911	Became Business
Climbing	133	27	1997	current
Coin Collecting	35	28	1938	current
Collections	128	29	1991	current
Communication	5	30	2010	current	Formerly Communications
Communications	5		1965	2009	Became Communication
Composite Materials	137	31	2006	current
Computers	36	32	1967	2014	Replaced with Digital Technology
Conservation			1911	1952
Conservation of Natural Resources			1966	1972	Became Environmental Science
Consumer Buying	37	.	1975	1995
Cooking	38	33	1911	current
Corn Farming			1928	1975
Cotton Farming			1931	1975
Craftsmanship			1911	1926	Became Basketry, Bookbinding, Cement Work, Leathercraft, Metalwork, Pottery, Wood Carving, and Woodwork,
Crime Prevention	131	34	1996	current
Cycling	39	35	1911	current	Formerly Cyclist
Cyclist			1910	1911	Became Cycling
Dairying			1911	1975
Dentistry	40	36	1975	current
Digital Technology	154	148	2014	current	Replaces Computers
Disabilities Awareness	60	37	1993	current	Formerly Handicap Awareness
Dog Care	41	38	1938	current
Drafting	42	39	1965	current	Formerly Mechanical Drawing
Dramatics			1932	1966	Became Theater
Electrician			1910	1911	Became Electricity
Electricity	43	40	1911	current	Formerly Electrician
Electronics	44	.41	1963	current
Emergency Preparedness	6	.42	1972	current
Energy	45	43	1976	current
Engineering	46	44	1967	current
Entrepreneurship	134	45	1997	current
Environmental Science	7	.46	1972	current	Formerly Conservation of Natural Resources
Exploration	59	153	2017	current
Family Life	129	47	1991	current
Farm & Ranch Management	47		1980	1987	Formerly Farm Records Became Agribusiness
Farm Arrangement			1960	1973	Formerly Farm Home & Its Planning and Farm Layout & Building Arrangements Became Farm Arrangements
Farm Arrangements			1974	1979	Formerly Farm Arrangement
Farm Home & Its Planning			1928	1959	Became part of Farm Arrangement
Farm Layout & Building Arrangements			1928	1959	Became part of Farm Arrangement
Farm Mechanics	48	48	1928	current
Farm Records			1959	1980	Formerly Farm Records & Bookkeeping Became Farm & Ranch Management
Farm Records & Bookkeeping			1928	1958	Became Farm Records
Fingerprinting	49	49	1938	current
Fire Safety	50	50	1995	current	Formerly Firemanship
Firemanship	50		1911	1995	Became Fire Safety
First Aid	8	51	1911	current	Formerly Ambulance
First Aid To Animals		+	1911	1972	Became Veterinary Science
Fish & Wildlife Management	51	52	1972	current	Formerly Wildlife Management
Fishing	52	53	1952	current	Formerly Angling
Fly Fishing	136	54	2002	current
Food Systems	53		1978	1987
Forage Crops			1959	1975	Formerly Grasses, Legumes, & Forage Crops
Forestry	54	55	1911	current
Foundry Practice			1923	1952
Fruit & Nut Growing			1953	1975
Fruit Culture			1928	1954
Game Design	151	140	2013	current
Gardener			1910	1911	Became Gardening
Gardening	55	56	1911	current	Formerly Gardener
Genealogy	56	57	1972	current
General Science	57		1972	1995
Geocaching	145	58	2010	current
Geology	58	59	1953	current	Formerly Rocks & Minerals
Golf	59	60	1976	current
Graphic Arts	122	61	1987	current	Formerly Printing/Communications and Bookbinding
Grasses, Legumes, & Forage Crops			1938	1958	Became Forage Crops
Handicap Awareness	60		1985	1993	Formerly Handicapped Awareness Became Disabilities Awareness
Handicapped Awareness			1980	1985	Became Handicap Awareness
Handicraft			1911	1942	Became Home Repairs
Health Care Professions	161	155	2021	current	Replaced Medicine
Hiking	61	62	1921	current
Historic Carpentry	139	129	2010	2010	Historic Program for 2010 only
Historic Pathfinding	140	130	2010	.2010	Historic Program for 2010 only
Historic Signaling	141	131	2010	2010	Historic Program for 2010 only
Historic Tracking	142	119	2010	2010	Historic Program for 2010 only (Original name was Stalking)
Hog & Pork Production			1928	1958	Became Hog Production
Hog Production			1959	1975	Formerly Hog & Pork Production
Home Repairs	62	63	1943	current	Formerly Handicraft
Horseman			1910	1911	Became Horsemanship
Horsemanship	63	64	1911	current	Formerly Horseman
Indian Lore	64	65	1931	current
Insect Life	65		1923	1987	Became Insect Study
Insect Study	65	66	1987	current	Formerly Insect Life
Interpreting			1911	1952
Invention			1911	1917
Inventing	144	67	2010	current
Journalism	66	68	1927	current
Kayaking	149	136	2012	current
Landscape Architecture	67	69	1967	current	Formerly Landscaping
Landscape Gardening			1930	1958	Became Landscaping
Landscaping			1959	1966	Formerly Landscape Gardening Became Landscape Architecture
Law	68	70	1974	current
Leather Work			1928	1951	Became Leatherwork
Leathercraft			1927	1952	Formerly part of Craftsmanship
Leatherwork	69	71	1951	current	Formerly Leather Work
Leatherworking			1911	1927	Became Leathercraft
Life Saving			1911	1959	Became Lifesaving
Lifesaving	9	72	1959	current	Formerly Life Saving
Machinery	70		1911	1995
Mammal Study	71	73	1987	current	Formerly Mammals
Mammals	71		1972	1987	Became Mammal Study
Marksman			1910	1911	Became Marksmanship
Marksmanship			1911	1966	Formerly Marksman Became Rifle & Shotgun Shooting
Masonry	72		1911	1995
Master-at-Arms			1910	1911
Mechanical Drawing			1933	1964	Became Drafting
Medicine	130	74	1991	2021	Replaced by Health Care Professions
Metallurgy			1965	1971	Became Metals Engineering
Metals Engineering	73		1972	1995	Formerly Metallurgy
Metalwork	74	75	1927	current	Formerly part of Craftsmanship
Mining			1911	1937	Became Rocks & Minerals
Mining in Society	155	147	2014	current
Model Design & Building	75	76	1963	current
Motorboating	76	77	1961	current
Moviemaking	126	23	2013	current	Formerly Cinematography
Music	77	78	1911	current	Formerly Musician
Musician			1910	1911	Became Music
Nature	78	79	1952	current
Nuclear Science	24	80	2005	current	Formerly Atomic Energy
Nut Culture			1928	1954
Oceanography	79	81	1964	current
Orienteering	80	82	1973	current
Ornithology			1911	1913	Became Bird Study
Painting	81	83	1911	current
Pathfinding			1911	1952
Personal Finances			1962	1971	Became Personal Management
Personal Fitness	10	84	1952	current	Formerly Personal Health and Physical Development
Personal Health			1911	1952	Became part of Personal Fitness
Personal Management	11	85	1972	current	Formerly Personal Finances
Pets	82	86	1958	current
Photography	83	87	1911	current
Physical Development			1914	1952	Became part of Personal Fitness
Pigeon Raising			1933	1980
Pioneer			1910	1911	Became Pioneering
Pioneering	84	88	1911	current	Formerly Pioneer
Plant Science	85	89	1974	current
Plumbing	86	90	1911	current
Pottery	87	91	1927	current	Formerly part of Craftsmanship
Poultry Farming			1911	1913	Became Poultry Keeping
Poultry Keeping			1914	1975	Formerly Poultry Farming
Printing			1911	1981	Became Printing/Communications
Printing/Communications	88		1982	1987	Formerly Printing Became part of Graphic Arts
Programming	153	144	2013	current
Public Health	89	92	1911	current
Public Speaking	90	93	1932	current
Pulp & Paper	91	94	1972	current
Rabbit Raising	92		1943	1993
Radio	93	95	1923	current	Formerly Wireless
Railroading	94	96	1952	current
Reading	95	97	1929	current
Reptile & Amphibian Study	96	98	1993	current	Formerly Reptile Study
Reptile Study	96		1927	1993	Formerly Reptiles Became Reptile and Amphibian Study
Reptiles			1926	1926	Became Reptile Study
Rifle & Shotgun Shooting	97		1967	1987	Formerly Marksmanship Became Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting
Rifle Shooting	123	99	1987	current	Formerly part of Rifle & Shotgun Shooting
Robotics	146	132	2011	current
Rocks & Minerals			1937	1953	Formerly Mining Became Geology
Rowing	98	100	1933	current
Safety	12	101	1927	current	Formerly Safety First
Safety First			1916	1926	Became Safety
Salesmanship	99	102	1927	current
Scholarship	100	104	1911	current
Scouting Heritage	143	103	2010	current
Scuba Diving	138	105	2009	current
Sculpture	101	106	1911	current
Seaman			1910	1911	Became Seamanship
Seamanship			1911	1964	Formerly Seaman Became Small Boat Sailing
Search and Rescue	150	137	2012	current
Sheep Farming			1928	1975
Shotgun Shooting	124	107	1987	current	Formerly part of Rifle & Shotgun Shooting
Signaling	102		1911	1991	Formerly Signaller
Signaller			1910	1911	Became Signaling
Signs, Signals, and Codes	157	151	2015	current
Skating	103	108	1973	current
Skiing	104		1938	1999	Became Snow Sports
Small Boat Sailing	105	109	1964	current	Formerly Seamanship
Small Grains			1959	1975	Formerly Small Grains & Cereal Foods
Small Grains & Cereal Foods			1943	1958	Became Small Grains
Snow Sports	135	110	1999	current	Formerly Skiing
Soil & Water Conservation	106	111	1952	current	Formerly Soil Management
Soil Management			1928	1952	Became Soil & Water Conservation
Space Exploration	107	112	1965	current
Sports	13	113	1972	current
Stalker			1910	1911	Became Stalking
Stalking			1911	1952	Formerly Stalker
Stamp Collecting	108	114	1931	current
Surveying	109	115	1911	current
Sustainability	153	142	2013	current
Swimming	14	116	1911	current
Taxidermy			1911	1952
Textile	110	117	1973	current	Formerly Textiles
Textiles			1927	1972	Became Textile
Theater	111	118	1967	current	Formerly Dramatics
Traffic Safety	112	120	1975	current	Formerly Automotive Safety
Truck Transportation	113	121	1973	current
Veterinary Medicine	114	122	1995	current	Formerly Veterinary Science
Veterinary Science	114		1973	1995	Formerly First Aid to Animals Became Veterinary Medicine
Waterskiing	115		1969	2007	Became Water Sports
Water Sports	115	123	2007	current	Formerly Water Skiing
Weather	116	124	1927	current
Welding	148	133	2012	current
Whitewater	125	125	1987	current
Wilderness Survival	117	126	1973	current
Wildlife Management			1952	1972	Became Fish & Wildlife Management
Wireless			1919	1923	Became radio
Wood Carving	118	127	1927	current	Formerly part of Craftsmanship
Wood Turning			1930	1952
Woodwork	119	128	1927	current	Formerly part of Craftsmanship
World Brotherhood			1952	1972	Became Citizenship in the World
Zoology			1930	1972

Thanks to Steve Henning for the original research used to develop this page.

Page updated on: April 11, 2023