Last update: Feb. 23, 2017

Wondering which merit badges are the newest? Looking for release info on upcoming merit badges? I’ve got you covered.

This regularly updated page will keep you and your troop in the know!

You’ll find:

Coming soon (new or updated merit badges)

Updated merit badges

The newest merit badges that have already been released

Chronological list of updates to this page

There are 136 current merit badges. You can always find the latest requirements here.

Coming soon: New or updated merit badges

Note: The BSA’s Merit Badge Maintenance Task Force is continuing its efforts to improve the existing crop of merit badges, meaning you may see fewer new merit badges. Read more about this philosophy here.

Updated merit badges

(Most-recent update listed first)

Cooking

Update released Jan. 1, 2016

Note: This merit badge became Eagle-required on Jan. 1, 2014.

New requirements: Click here.

Related blog post: 2016 update to the Eagle-required Cooking MB

Photography

Update released Jan. 1, 2016

Revised requirements do a much better job teaching Scouts how to take quality photographs with smartphones and digital cameras

New requirements: Click here.

Lifesaving

Update released Jan. 1, 2016

Added principles of BSA Safe Swim Defense

Added requirement to watch video or live demonstration of rescue performed using a rowboat, canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard

Updated CPR mentions to reflect the fact that CPR techniques frequently change.

New requirements: Click here.

Snow Sports

Updated released Jan. 1, 2016

Snowshoeing joins downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding as an option for earning the badge

New requirements: Click here.

Swimming

Update released May 2014

New requirements and blog post: Click here.

Moviemaking (was Cinematography)

Update released October 2013

Note: This merit badge received a name change and a few requirements tweaks. The merit badge formerly called Cinematography is now Moviemaking, which better reflects the requirements.

New requirements and blog post: Click here.

Cycling

Update released at 2013 Jamboree.

New requirements: Click here.

Related blog post: The trail to Cycling merit badge just got a bit rougher

Newest Merit Badges (Available Now)

(Newest listed first)

Exploration

Released: December 2016

Requirements: Click here.

Description: After learning about the history and importance of exploration, Scouts plan, prepare for and go on an actual expedition.

Related blog post: Requirements released.

Animation

Released: May 19, 2015

Requirements: Click here.

Description: Computer or traditional animation tasks that will test a Scout’s creativity, artistic skills, and storytelling abilities.

Related blog post: Requirements released.

Signs, Signals, and Codes

Released: Feb. 26, 2015

Requirements: Click here.

Description: American Sign Language (ASL) is the third most used language in the United States. The Signs, Signals, and Codes merit badge will cover Morse code, ASL, Braille, signaling, trail markings, and other nonverbal communications. Did you know that some of these have even saved people’s lives?

Related blog post: Requirements released.

Digital Technology

Released: April 16, 2014

Requirements: Click here.

Note: This merit badge will replace Computers merit badge, but Scouts may earn and wear both merit badges. More details about the phase-out of Computers MB here.

Description: Technology has come a long way since Computers merit badge was first introduced in 1967. This badge will teach Scouts about technology in the digital age.

Mining in Society

Released: Monday, Feb. 24, 2014

Requirements: Click here

Description: Mining has been an important part of the United States since the 19th century. Today, the U.S. mining industry employes 3 million people, directly and indirectly, and is a major contributor to the global mining landscape. I expect this merit badge will cover the history of mining, explore the status of mining in the 21st century, and introduce Scouts to modern mining careers.

Related blog posts:

Here’s the Mining in Society MB patch and first two requirements

Scouts preview Mining in Society at 2013 jamboree

Sustainability

Released: July 15, 2013

Note: This merit badge will be Eagle-required. Scouts must earn either this or Environmental Science.

Requirements: Click here.

Description: A badge to teach Scouts about climate change, species extinction, resource extraction, green chemistry, recycling, and zero-waste manufacturing.

Related Post: Cooking, Sustainability merit badges to become Eagle-required

Programming

Released: July 15, 2013

Requirements: Click here.

Description: A tech-focused merit badge for the 21st Century.

Game Design

Released on March 6, 2013

Requirements: Click here.

Description: Slated to include both traditional games and video games, this sure-to-be-popular merit badge will test Scouts’ creativity, problem-solving skills, and planning abilities.

Related Post: First look at Game Design merit badge, including details on how to help launch the badge at the 2013 jamboree

Search and Rescue

Released on Aug. 20, 2012

Requirements: Click here.

Description: Scouts won’t fly helicopters, but they’ll get practice in finding and rescuing people in case a real emergency ever happens.

More information: In the BSA’s press release

Kayaking

Released on June 13, 2012

Pamphlet cover image: here

Requirements: Click here.

Description: A basic-level merit badge for flat-water kayaking — whitewater kayaking will still fall under Whitewater merit badge.

Welding

Released on Feb. 24, 2012

Requirements

Bryan on Scouting post: “Requirements, launch info, video”

Robotics

Released on April 11, 2011

Requirements

Bryan on Scouting post: “Robotics merit badge launch includes all-new interactive resource center”

Chess

Released in September 2011

Requirements

Bryan on Scouting post: “Human chess match will celebrate the new Chess merit badge”

Geocaching

Released in December 2010

Requirements

Bryan on Scouting post: “Smartphones: The modern-day camper’s Swiss Army knife?”

Scouting magazine story: “The Real Game Boys”

Inventing

Released in June 2010

Requirements

Bryan on Scouting post: “Boy Scouts and Lemelson-MIT Program introduce Inventing merit badge”

Scouting Heritage

Released in May 2010

Requirements

Bryan on Scouting post: “Boy Scouts of America releases Scouting Heritage merit badge”

Scuba Diving

Released on Dec. 1, 2009

Requirements

Bryan on Scouting post: “Scuba diving merit badge released”

Chronological list of page updates

Page updates (newest first):

Feb. 2, 2016 — Added revisions to Cooking, Photography, Lifesaving and Snow Sports to the “Major Updates” section.

May 26, 2015 — Animation merit badge released. Removed Computer-Aided Design and Advanced Computing from coming-soon list. Added Photography to the list of merit badges with major updates coming soon.

Feb. 26, 2015 — Signs, Signals and Codes merit badge released.

Oct. 10, 2014 — Pushed back the dates for Signs, Signals and Codes; Animation; Computer-Aided Design; and Advanced Computing.

May 19, 2014 — Added Swimming merit badge revisions to “Major Updates” section.

April 16, 2014 — Added Digital Technology requirements link, moved Digital Technology to “Newly Released” section.

April 11, 2014 — Removed Multi-Media from coming soon list. Updated estimated dates on Advanced Computing and Computer-Aided Design

Feb. 24, 2014 — Added Mining in Society requirements link, moved Mining in Society to “Newly Released” section.

Feb. 3, 2014 — Added Mining in Society badge image and blog link.

Jan. 31, 2014 — Added more specific launch info for Mining in Society and Digital Technology merit badges. Added Moviemaking merit badge (formerly Cinematography).

Dec. 17, 2013 — Added new Cooking MB requirements and silver-border patch image. Added more specific release timetable for Digital Technology.

June 25, 2013 — Added patch image for Programming.

April 30, 2013 — Details on release for Sustainability, Cycling update, and Programming. Added patch image for Sustainability.

March 7, 2013 — Added Game Design MB requirements link.

Feb. 27, 2013 — Added Mining in Society MB to list of merit badges coming soon.

Feb. 14, 2013 — Added launch date for Game Design MB

Oct. 18, 2012 — Lots of updates. Added Sustainability, Digital Technology, Computer-Aided Design, Multi-Media, Advanced Computing, and more info on updates to Cycling and Cooking.

Aug. 27, 2012 — Added link to Search and Rescue MB requirements

June 21, 2012 — Added Signs, Signals, and Codes MB preview

June 13, 2012 — Added link to Kayaking MB requirements

June 6, 2012 — Added Search and Rescue merit badge image and link to BSA press release.

June 5, 2012 — Added Cycling merit badge to the “Major Updates” section.

May 25, 2012 — Added Kayaking release date, patch design, and pamphlet cover image.

May 10, 2012 — Added link to Game Design first look (see below).

April 16, 2012 — Added Programming, Animation (details below).

April 4, 2012 — Page created.

Looking for requirements for all the current merit badges? Click here.