The wording of requirement 1 was changed to that shown below on January 1, 2005.
(A Boy who has earned the Arrow of Light or completed the 5th grade must ALSO be at least 10 years old before he can join a Boy Scout Troop.)

The wording of requirement 7 was changed on January 1, 2013, by changing "Law" to "Scout Law"

These requirements were effective until December 31, 2015.

To see the previous requirements, Click here.

To see the requirements which became effective on January 1, 2016, Click here.

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Transition rules for the Scout rank:

• For 2016:
  • Boys joining on or after Jan. 1, 2016, MUST use the new requirements.
  • Boys who joined prior to Jan. 1, 2016, MAY continue to work using the previous requirements, but MUST convert to the new requirements upon attaining First Class.
• After 2016:
  • All Scouts MUST use the new requirements for all ranks.

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Note that the Scout badge was NOT considered a "Rank" by BSA until January 1, 2016.
The Charter and Bylaws in Article X, Section 1, Clause 6, stated:

"Ranks. There shall be the following ranks in Boy Scouting: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. The requirements shall be those authorized by the Executive Board and set forth in official Scouting publications. Eagle Palms may also be awarded on the basis of requirements authorized by the Executive Board and set forth in official Scouting publications."

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The "Boy Scout Application" mentioned in item 2 is the "BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA YOUTH APPLICATION" (524-406A).  The instructions on that form reference a "personal health history, No. 521-006", which used to appear on the back of the last page of the application form, and has apparently been discontinued.  As a substitute, use parts A & B of the Annual Health and Medical Record (680-001) for the health history.  Copies of these forms can be downloaded from BSA using the links below.

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1. Meet age requirements: Be a boy who is 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but is not yet 18 years old.
2. Complete a Boy Scout application and health history signed by your parent or guardian.
3. Find a Scout troop near your home. (To find a troop, contact your local Boy Scout Council.  The Council name, address and phone number can be found on BSA's Council Locator Page.)
4. Repeat the Pledge of Allegiance.
5. Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake.
6. Demonstrate tying the square knot (a joining knot).
7. Understand and agree to live by the Scout Oath or Promise, Scout Law, motto, and slogan, and the Outdoor Code.
8. Describe the Scout badge.
9. Complete the Pamphlet Exercises. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet "How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent's Guide".
10. Participate in a Scoutmaster conference. Turn in your Boy Scout application and health history form signed by your parent or guardian, then participate in a Scoutmaster conference.