2017 Requirement Changes

As of Jan. 1, 2017, all Boy Scouts — regardless of rank — must begin using the new Boy Scout requirements. 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 is a printable Handbook insert and PDF to assist with the changes.

Here is a side-by-side comparison of old vs. new.

The big changes are as follows:

• Number of required camping nights has increased

• Number of required service hours has increased

• Emphasis on physical fitness has increased

• Scout is now its own rank

• Boy Scouts are required to tell about their duty to God at each rank