Note that Eagle Palms are NOT considered "Ranks" by BSA.
The Charter and Bylaws in Article X, Section 1, Clause 6, states:
"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."
After becoming an Eagle Scout, you may earn Palms by completing the following requirements:
- Be active in your troop and patrol for at least 3 months after becoming an Eagle Scout or after the award of last Palm.**
- Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life.
- Make a satisfactory effort to develop and demonstrate leadership ability.
- Earn five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle or last Palm.***.
- Take Part Participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
- Successfully complete your Complete a board of review.
You may wear only the proper combination of Palms for the number of merit badges you earned beyond the rank of Eagle. The Bronze Palm represents 5 merit badges, the Gold Palm 10, and the Silver Palm 15.
* For Varsity Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "team" and "Scoutmaster" with "Varsity Scout Coach."
For Venturers working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "crew" and "Scoutmaster" with "Crew Advisor."
For Sea Scouts working on Boy Scout requirements, replace "troop" with "ship" and "Scoutmaster" with "Skipper."** Eagle Palms must be earned in sequence, and the three-month tenure requirement must be observed for each Palm.
*** Merit Badges earned any time since becoming a Boy Scout may be used to meet this requirement.
NOTE: Scouts who earn three Palms may continue to earn additional Palms in the same order - bronze, gold, and silver. All requirements for Eagle Palms must be completed before a candidate's 18th birthday. The Palms beyond Silver can't be entered into BSA's Scoutnet database, since there doesn't appear to be a way to record multiple instances of the awards, just the number of merit badges earned, but a Scout can still earn and wear the multiple Palms.
Please note that Requirement 6 - (Complete your board of review) MAY be done AFTER the Scout has reached age 18.
The requirements above are those for boys enrolled in the Boy Scout Division as members of Boy Scout Troops (including Venture Patrols within Troops) or Varsity Scout Teams.
Click here for the guidelines which apply to members of Venturing Crews or Sea Scout Ships.
