Become a Counselor

How to Become a Merit Badge Counselor

1. Explore available merit badges.

Review the full list of merit badges currently offered to Scouts:

https://www.scouting.org/skills/merit-badges/

2. Complete the Chester County Council Merit Badge Counselor Information

form.

Follow the instructions on the form (the remaining steps below align with those

requirements):

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34405.pdf

3. Fill out the BSA Adult Leader Application (even if you’ve completed one for

another role).

Use position code 42 for Merit Badge Counselor:

https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-501.pdf

- Complete all information on pages 3 and 6

- Position Code: 42

- Position Title: Merit Badge Counselor

4. Complete Pennsylvania Act 15 (formerly Act 153) requirements.

Refer to the P1 Youth Protection page for details. If you’ve already completed

these requirements for a school, youth sports, or as a registered leader within the

past 5 years, you can submit your existing certificate instead.

5. Log in to my.scouting.org (or create an account if needed).

- Complete Safeguarding Youth training and print your Certificate of

Completion

- Complete Merit Badge Counselor Training and print your Certificate of

Completion

6. Email your completed materials.

Send all forms, training certificates, and background documents

to: troopfiftythree@gmail.com

- Subject line: Merit Badge Counselor application – [Your Name]

After Troop leadership receives your application, they will forward your documents to

Council for approval.