Your path to Eagle Scout
Eagle is the highest rank in Scouts BSA. This page walks Scouts, parents, and mentors through every step of the process, in order, with the forms you’ll need at each stop.
Start at Step 1 Learn Scouting terms Submit paperwork
What does it take to become an Eagle Scout?
Before starting the paperwork on this page, a Scout first earns the rank of Life Scout. From there, the Eagle process is about three things: leading a community service project, showing good character through references, and meeting with a review board.
Most families work with an Eagle mentor or coach from their troop. If you don’t know who that is, ask your Scoutmaster.
- Age limit: all requirements must be finished before the Scout’s 18th birthday.
- Time as a Life Scout: at least 6 months.
- Merit badges: 21 total, including the required Eagle merit badges.
- Leadership: serve 6 months in a troop leadership position.
- Service project: plan and lead a project that helps a school, religious group, or community organization.
- Final steps: a conference with the Scoutmaster, then a Board of Review.
The four steps at a glance
Tap any step to jump to the details and forms.
Ready to submit? Use the right form
Before your Board of Review (Step 3)
Eagle paperwork for review
Send your signed rank application, project workbook, and Statement of Ambitions and Life Purpose to the Advancement Committee.
Submit for review See the checklist firstAfter your Board of Review (Step 4)
Final paperwork
Send your Book of Honor page and fully signed paperwork. This is the last step before becoming an Eagle Scout.
Submit final paperwork See what’s neededWords you’ll see on this page
Scouting has its own vocabulary. Here’s what the common terms mean in plain language.
- Life Scout
- The rank just before Eagle. A Scout must be a Life Scout to begin this process.
- Eagle Scout Service Project
- A community project the Scout plans and leads, directing other volunteers, to benefit an organization other than Scouting.
- Project beneficiary
- The school, church, nonprofit, or town that the project helps.
- Project workbook
- The official national form used to propose, plan, and report on the project.
- Unit leader conference
- A one-on-one conversation between the Scout and the Scoutmaster (sometimes called a Scoutmaster conference).
- Board of Review
- A meeting with a panel of adults who talk with the Scout about their experience. It’s the last requirement for Eagle.
- Scoutbook
- The online system troops use to track advancement. The rank application can be created there.
- Court of Honor
- The ceremony where a new Eagle Scout is recognized, usually planned by the family and troop.
- Advancement Committee
- Council volunteers who review Eagle paperwork and help set up Boards of Review.
Read the instructions and find a project idea
Begin here before doing anything else. The instructions explain the whole process and are useful for Scouts, parents, and mentors alike.
- Eagle Scout Process Instructions (PDF)Step-by-step guide to the full Eagle process.
- Organizations willing to host a project (PDF)Local groups that have welcomed Eagle projects.
- Council Advancement Committee contacts (PDF)Who to reach in your district.
Plan and lead the service project
The Scout writes a proposal in the workbook, gets it approved, carries out the project, and then writes a short report in the same workbook.
- Eagle Scout Service Project WorkbookOfficial national workbook (February 2023 version).
- Project Fundraising Application (PDF)Required if the project raises money from outside donors.
Complete the rank application and request references
Once the project and all other requirements are done, the Scout fills out the Eagle Scout Rank Application and asks the people listed on it to send reference letters.
- Create the application in ScoutbookNew: generate the application in four easy steps.
- Eagle Scout Rank Application (fillable PDF)Type it rather than handwriting it whenever possible.
- Reference Letter Request (PDF)Print one for each reference listed on the application.
More detail: pages 57 and 66 (section 9.0.1.7) of the 2025 Guide to Advancement.
Ready to submit? Check every box first.
These boxes are just for you; nothing is saved or sent.
All four done? You’re ready to send your Eagle paperwork to the Advancement Committee for review before your Board of Review.
Submit Eagle paperwork for reviewThe Scout and Scoutmaster will get a confirmation email within 48 business hours. Questions? Email [email protected].
Congratulations! Finish the final paperwork
After a successful Board of Review, two things are left: a page for the Eagle Scout Book of Honor, and a final submission once every signature is collected. This is the last step before officially becoming an Eagle Scout.
- Eagle Scout Book of Honor page (PDF)Describe your Scouting journey and include it with your packet.
Common questions from families
Who should we talk to first?
Start with your troop’s Scoutmaster or Eagle mentor. For council-level questions, use the Council Advancement Committee contact sheet in Step 1.
Can the project benefit our troop or Scouting?
No. The project must help an organization outside of Scouting, such as a school, place of worship, nonprofit, or town.
Can parents help with the project?
Yes, as volunteers. The Scout must be the one planning and leading, directing others rather than doing all the work alone or having adults run it.
Do we need to wait for all reference letters before submitting?
No. The application must not be held while waiting for letters. They are collected at the Board of Review.
What if the Scout is close to turning 18?
All requirements, except the Board of Review, must be finished before the 18th birthday. Contact the Advancement Committee early so there are no surprises.