* From the time he begins Scouting, until he is ready to advance to the rank of Eagle, a Scout must earn a total of 21 merit badges. These 21 merit badges must include at least one merit badge from each of the following 12 lettered categories: (a) First Aid, (b) Citizenship in the Community, (c) Citizenship in the Nation, (d) Citizenship in the World, (e) Communications, (f) Personal Fitness, (g) Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving, (h) Environmental Science, (i) Personal Management, (j) Swimming OR Hiking OR Cycling, (k) Camping, (l) Family Life. The fifteen merit badges in these 12 categories are all said to be "required for Eagle". However, only one merit badge from each of these 12 categories can be counted as being "required for Eagle".

In order to advance to the rank of Star, a Scout must have earned a total of 6 merit badges, four of which are required for Eagle. Then, in order to advance to Life, the Star Scout must have earned 5 more merit badges, 3 of which are required for Eagle. Finally, in order to advance to Eagle, the Life Scout must have earned 10 more merit badges, for a total of 21 merit badges, 12 of which are required for Eagle.