Using Scoutbook Plus to Check Merit Badges

To check your merit badge completion status and partial signoffs in Scoutbook Plus, first log in here: https://advancements.scouting.org/login

(Only a parent can grant their Scouts access to Scoutbook/Scoutbook Plus. See instructions on how parents can grant access.)

Once you are logged in, find your profile. It will look something like the example Scout profile below. 

To see all the merit badges you have completed, click "Approved", which you can see circled in green below. 

To see the merit badges that are partial and still in progress, click "Pending", which you can see circled in magenta below. 

Let's take a look at an example partial merit badge. Check out the example Hiking Merit Badge below. 

In this example, we can see that Requirements 2 and 3 are completed and have been marked Approved. Notice the blue Approved check circled in green below.

Now take a look at Requirement 4. The orange Started arrow shows that Requirement 4 has been started but is not yet complete.  

Which part of Requirement 4 is incomplete? We can see blue Approved checks near requirement 4 a, b, c, and d. But we see that Requirement 4 e, the 20-mile hike, is not yet completed. That's why Requirement 4 is incomplete.

If you want to see how many merit badges you still need to earn Eagle Scout rank, just click the "View More" button to the right of the Eagle Scout emblem. 

You should see a summary of your completed and incomplete merit badges for Eagle, which will look something like this below: 

Completed merit badges are filled in with the colorful merit badge. 

Incomplete merit badges are blank with a dotted circle outline.

When to Work on Merit Badges

Scouts at First Class rank or higher can work on merit badges at any time! 

Here's how:

1. Get the Scoutmaster's permission to start a new merit badge. This is required -- and also a good idea so that you don't get overloaded with too many partials.

2. Find a counselor using our Merit Badge Counselor list (linked at the bottom of every Mountain Ears Chronicle monthly troop newsletter, which every Scout should be receiving). 

3. Review the requirements and meet with your counselor!

4. You can also join a merit badge class if Troop 78 offers them or start merit badges at a District-provided Merit Badge University (MBU).

Spring (March-May), over the summer, and late fall (October-November) are ideal times to be working on starting new merit badges or completing partial merit badges.