Eagle-Required vs. Elective Merit Badges
To earn Eagle Scout, a scout must earn 21 total merit badges. These break down into two categories:
Eagle-Required (13)
These 13 badges are mandatory for every Eagle Scout candidate. They cover essential life skills including citizenship, first aid, fitness, communication, and outdoor skills. Some allow a choice between two options (marked with *).
Elective (8)
Choose any 8 badges from the 123 elective options. This is your chance to explore personal interests — from Robotics and Programming to Archery and Wilderness Survival. There are no wrong choices.
Eagle-Required Merit Badges
* Badges marked with an asterisk are paired — you must earn one from each pair (e.g., Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving). There are 14 required badges total from 11 subject areas.
Camping
Outdoor camping skills, 20 nights of camping including a long-term camp
Citizenship in the Community
Local government, community organizations, and civic responsibility
Citizenship in the Nation
National government, the Constitution, and rights and duties of citizens
Citizenship in the World
World organizations, global issues, and international relations
Communication
Public speaking, writing, listening, and interpersonal communication skills
Cooking
Nutrition, meal planning, food safety, and outdoor cooking techniques
Emergency Preparedness*
Disaster preparedness, emergency plans, and first responder skills
Environmental Science*
Ecology, pollution, endangered species, and environmental stewardship
Family Life
Family duties, relationships, communication, and household responsibilities
First Aid
Emergency first aid, CPR awareness, injury treatment, and rescue skills
Lifesaving*
Water rescue techniques, swimming endurance, and lifeguarding skills
Personal Fitness
Physical fitness plan, exercise, nutrition, and health monitoring
Personal Management
Budgeting, goal setting, time management, and career exploration
Sustainability*
Sustainable practices, resource management, and environmental impact
Swimming*
Swimming strokes, water safety, and aquatic endurance
Hiking*
Trail hiking, conditioning, navigation, and outdoor ethics
Cycling*
Bicycle safety, maintenance, riding techniques, and endurance rides
All Elective Merit Badges
Choose any 8 of these badges to complete your 21 merit badge requirement for Eagle Scout. Listed alphabetically. Click any badge for its requirements, typical time, and how it fits into your Eagle plan.
Tips for Choosing Elective Badges
Start with what you love
Choose badges that align with your hobbies and interests. If you love the outdoors, try Wilderness Survival or Backpacking. Into tech? Look at Programming, Robotics, or Digital Technology.
Plan for merit badge weekends and camps
Many councils and camps offer merit badge clinics where you can complete badges in a weekend. Summer camp is an excellent opportunity to knock out 3-5 badges at once.
Tackle long-lead badges early
Some badges like Personal Fitness and Personal Management require 90-day tracking periods. Family Life also has extended requirements. Start these early so they don't become bottlenecks on your Eagle trail.
Consider career exploration
Badges like Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Architecture can give you real insight into potential careers. They also make great talking points in college applications.