Welding and the Trail to Eagle
Welding is an elective merit badge. It is not required for any rank, but it can count as one of the 8 elective badges a scout needs for Eagle, alongside the 13 Eagle-required badges. Elective badges are also where most scouts discover hobbies and careers, so choose ones you are genuinely curious about. Browse the complete merit badge list to compare options.
Welding Merit Badge Requirements
Summary of the 7 main requirements for Welding. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.
- 1
Do the following:
- a.Explain the hazards you are most likely to encounter while welding, and what you should do to anticipate, help prevent, mitigate, or lessen these hazards.
- b.Show that you know first aid for, and the prevention of, injuries or illnesses that could occur while welding.
- 2
Do the following:
- a.With your counselor, discuss general safety precautions and Safety Data Sheets related to welding.
- b.Describe the appropriate safety gear and clothing that must be worn when welding.
- c.Explain and demonstrate the proper care and storage of welding equipment, tools, and protective clothing and footwear.
- 3
Explain the terms welding, electrode, slag, oxidation. Describe the welding process.
- 4
Name the different mechanical and thermal cutting methods. Choose one method and describe how to use the process.
- 5
Do the following:
- a.Select two welding processes, and make a list of the different components of the equipment required for each process.
- b.Choose one welding process. Set up the process you have chosen.
- 6
After successfully completing requirements 1 through 5, use the equipment you prepared for the welding process in 5(b) to do the following: sketch your initial onto a metal plate and weld a bead on the plate following the pattern, cover a small plate with weld beads side by side, tack two plates together in various joints, weld the two plates together, tack two plates together in a T joint, and tack two plates together in a lap joint.
- 7
Do the following:
- a.Find out about three career opportunities in the welding industry.
- b.Discuss the role of the American Welding Society in the welding profession.
Merit badge names and emblems are trademarks of Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America). Eagle Compass is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scouting America. Requirements are summarized for planning purposes; the official requirements are authoritative.
How to Earn the Welding Merit Badge
1. Get a blue card and a counselor
Ask your Scoutmaster for approval to start Welding, then find a registered merit badge counselor for it through your troop or council.
2. Plan around the setting
Welding is usually earned on your own with a counselor. Schedule regular check-ins with your counselor so partial progress does not stall.
3. Budget the time
Expect about a month for a demanding badge like this one. Working with a partner or at a merit badge clinic can shorten it.
4. Track every requirement
Keep notes as you complete each item so your counselor can sign off without re-doing work. Eagle Compass tracks all 16 Welding requirements for you.
Welding Merit Badge FAQ
Is the Welding merit badge required for Eagle Scout?
No. Welding is an elective merit badge. It can count as one of the 8 elective badges needed for Eagle Scout, alongside the 13 Eagle-required badges.
How long does the Welding merit badge take?
Most scouts finish Welding in about a month, depending on counselor availability and how the requirements are scheduled.
Where do scouts usually earn the Welding merit badge?
Welding is most often earned on your own with a counselor. Any registered merit badge counselor for Welding can sign off requirements.
How many requirements does the Welding merit badge have?
Welding has 7 main requirements with 9 sub-requirements, for 16 items in total.
