Update posted from National on 3/16/2025
We have received many questions about the parent/guardian contact information section added near Requirement #2 on the updated Eagle Scout Rank Application, and we are very glad you reached out.
That field was added soley to collect contact information in case we need to reach a parent or guardian — it was never meant to imply that a reference letter or recommendation from parents was required or even recommended. In fact they are still strongly discouraged (Guide to Advancement 9.0.1.3, #3). However, we understand how the placement implied otherwise, and we apologize for the confusion.
We are already working to update the form and move that field to a better location. We appreciate your patience, and are sincerely grateful for everything you do to support Eagle Scout candidates on their journey.
Citizenship in Society Merit Badge Discontinuance
The Citizenship in Society Merit Badge will be discontinued effective Friday, February 27, 2026. Beginning on February 27, 2026, Scouts will no longer be able to start requirements on the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge. Those Scouts who had already started and completed any requirements for the merit badge will be allowed the rest of 2026 to complete the full merit badge and still utilize it for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. This has been standard practice for Eagle requirements and other advancement changes in the past.
Effective Feb. 27, 2026, the rank of Eagle Scout will have 13 required merit badges instead of 14. All of the remaining 13 Eagle Required merit badges will still apply, just not Citizenship in Society, but Scouts will have 8 elective merit badges from which to choose instead of 7, and the total for Eagle Scout will remain at 21 merit badges (13 required + 8 elective = 21 merit badges).
Council & District Advancement Chairs as well as Council Registrars (Eagle Scout app processors) will have the ability to allow the Citizenship in Society Merit Badge to count towards Eagle Scout for those few Life Scouts who started the requirements prior to the discontinuance date, and will complete the merit badge before Dec. 31, 2026.