MERIT BADGE COUNSELORS

Thank you for your interest and willingness to become a Scouts BSA Merit Badge Counselor.  The steps to becoming a counselor begin with a desire to work with youth in the program and a willingness to share your knowledge, interests, and expertise in any of the 135+ merit badges that are currently offered.

 

To become a Merit Badge Counselor, an individual must be a Member in Good Standing, meaning they are at least 18 years of age and currently registered with the Atlanta Area Council. They must also be current with their Youth Protection Training (YPT) and have completed a Disclosure Statement when they registered.  

 

Member in good standing means all the following applies:

• Adult has a current BSA ID number

• Adult is a current leader with the Atlanta Area Council

• Youth Protection Training is current 

• Disclosure Statement is current

 

Leaders can now apply online to become a Merit Badge Counselor. You will need to create a new login as it is not synced with My.Scouting or Scoutbook.

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Once you log in, click on the "Merit Badge Counselor Registration" tab. The first time you register, you will only be allowed to register for one badge.  After you complete the application, go back to the main page and click the “Manage My Merit Badge Counselor Account Settings” tab to add additional Merit Badges.

 

Council reviews applications weekly to verify you are currently registered with the Atlanta Area Council, YPT is up-to-date, have the proper qualifications to teach their requested Merit Badge, and review your certifications that are applicable to that Merit Badge.  

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NOTE: Since it is not synced with My.Scouting and Scoutbook, it does take time to be uploaded to those sites.  You do not need to wait for it to be uploaded to those sites. Once you are approved in the portal, you can start teaching your approved Merit Badges to Scouts. 

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