New requirements mandatory as of Jan. 1, 2017

Quick heads up for anyone still using pre-2016 Boy Scout rank requirements.

As of Jan. 1, 2017, all Boy Scouts — regardless of rank — must begin using the new Boy Scout requirements I blogged about last year.

You got a first look at the Boy Scout requirement changes way back in January 2014; the requirements themselves were released to the public in May 2015.

The BSA established 2016 as a transition year, allowing Boy Scouts to choose whether to use the new requirements or finish up their current rank with the old ones.

Now that it’s 2017, every Boy Scout must use the new requirements. Here’s the scoop:

Where can I find the new Boy Scout requirements?

The BSA has made it easy for you, providing this PDF.

Want a side-by-side comparison of old vs. new? That’s here.

When do my Scouts start using these new Boy Scout requirements?

Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, all Boy Scouts must use the current requirements regardless of rank.

For those who are curious, here’s a look back at how Boy Scouts transitioned from the old to the new requirements. It was a very transparent, Scouter-friendly process.

What are the big changes?

Click each of these below to take a closer look:

What if I still have questions?

They’re probably answered on the BSA’s Program Updates page. It’s my go-to source for information on — what else? — BSA program updates.


About Bryan Wendell 3282 Articles
Bryan Wendell, an Eagle Scout, is the founder of Bryan on Scouting and a contributing writer.