Life Rank
One rank from Eagle — 11 merit badges and real leadership.
Life Scout is the rank immediately before Eagle. Eleven merit badges (7 Eagle-required), a 6-month active period in a position of responsibility, and 6 service hours are required. Most Life scouts who are actively working toward Eagle earn the rank within 6–12 months of Star. The Eagle project can — and should — begin to be planned during Life.
Requirements are paraphrased for reference. Always verify current requirements at scouting.org or with your local council before a Board of Review.
What Does Life Rank Require?
- ✓Earn 11 merit badges — at least 7 must be Eagle-required
- ✓Serve actively in a position of responsibility for 6 months
- ✓Participate in 6 hours of community service
- ✓Demonstrate continued Scout spirit
- ✓Complete a Scoutmaster Conference and Board of Review
This is a summary. The full requirement list is at scouting.org.
Free Life Rank Checklist
Printable sign-off sheet for all Liferequirements. Keep one in the scout's binder.
What Life Rank Actually Means
Life is where the Eagle countdown gets real. The 6-month minimum is firm, and scouts cannot begin their Eagle Scout service project until they are a Life Scout. Planning the project early, lining up remaining merit badges, and maintaining an active leadership role are all happening at once. This is where organized scouts separate from disorganized ones — and where good Scoutmaster guidance has the most impact.
What Comes After Life?
After Life, everything points toward Eagle. The project must be planned, approved, executed, and written up. Remaining merit badges must be earned. The Eagle application takes time to compile. And all of it must happen before the scout turns 18. Start the project conversation before the Life BOR is done.
Scoutmaster Conference — Life Rank
The Life SM Conference is one of the most consequential conversations in scouting. Ask about the Eagle project — do they have an idea, have they talked to a beneficiary, do they understand the approval process? Ask about the Eagle timeline relative to their 18th birthday. This conference should send a Life scout away with a plan, not just a signature.
Open SM Conference & BOR Guide →